Rating: 
Summary: Perfectly Overrated
Review: The Perfect Storm suffers not so much from poor writing as from poor -- really poor -- editing. Let's face it: we all know the guys are going to die. But by the time we finally reach the point where Junger reveals their not-so-mysterious fate, we've navigated a circuitous story filled with superfluous asides. It's obvious (belabored, even) that Junger uncovered lots of interesting, factual information in his research -- on everything from the ups and downs of the fishing industry to how hurricanes are made to the history of the Air National Guard. But it's also obvious that he, and his editor(s) didn't know what information was necessary, and unnecessary, in telling his story. Put it this way: when the Andrea Gail goes down, there are still almost 100 pages left to read. And you only need to read the last ten pages or so to mine the depths of Junger's love of superfluity. In a book that purports to retell the tragedy of six ill-fated people, introducing totally new characters and disasters in the book's final pages is not only proof of poor organization and editing -- it's just perfectly unforgivable.
Rating: 
Summary: an amazing read
Review: I am someone who knew nothing about sailing or swordfish, but in reading this book it didn't matter. Junger does an amazing job of describing everything from the swordfishing business to Coast Guard rescues to meteorology in terms that anyone can easily understand. The reader comes to know and love the endless stream of characters that are introduced. This book is by far the most exciting story I've ever read. I'd recommend it to anyone. I am almost strictly a novel reader, but this book has changed me. I absolutely can't wait to learn more about the sea.
Rating:
Summary: Made me want to go to Gloucester. See the movie first though
Review: By now you have been able to read plenty of movie and/or book reviews, etc.. My only value to add here is for those who have not yet seen the movie, to encourage you to see it first to enjoy the element of surprise. Both the book and movie based on the true story detailed in the book are excellent works.
Rating: 
Summary: Catch the Wave
Review: The temptation to reduce what a book is "about" to one sentence produced the summary that this book is about the doomed ship, Andrea Gail. It is not. The Perfect Storm is about a storm. A really bad one. But since weather phenomena, especially weather phenomena out in the middle of the ocean, don't have many story elements, people who encountered the storm are brought in to make a story out of it. The sailors on The Andrea Gail are only the most prominent such folks, but Junger describes the fates of several, including many who lived to tell their tales. As everyone who even reads the beginning of the book know, the sailors on The Andrea Gail didn't get to wait for the movie. Junger reconstructs what could have happened to them based on what others survived. Yet their story is essentially just an anchor to a wild, chaotic story about a wild, chaotic thing. In parts the book reads like a mystery, in part like a science book, in parts like an adventure novel. The result is enjoyable, but the hype about this story has reached gale force and has acquired a bit of bluster. It's a good, short guy book. Nothing more. I also saw the movie, which I think compliments the book well. As I was reading about 100 foot waves, I was wondering what they could possibly look like. The movie answers that question. Junger describes something awesome and sublime, the movie, which has been rightfully criticized for being schmaltzy in parts, shows it. The Perfect Storm is a short and compelling book, so even if you don't like it, it won't be a big investment of time. I did like the book and am all the happier about being a land-lubber after finishing it.
Rating:
Summary: Spellbinding and intense
Review: I bought the paperback version of this book on a whim. I figured it'd be a good book to read before seeing the movie. What I got for my money was a book that was virtually impossible to put down. At first look, the documentary style of the book made me think twice about reading further. Along with that, much of the book is centered around educating the reader about the fishing industry, weather, life in Gloucester, etc. I was really expecting a true, plot-driven thriller that concentrated on the fateful final voyage of the Andrea Gail. However, I found the book to be a wonderful read. Not only did I encounter the author's best hypothesis about the final hours aboard the doomed vessel, which in itself made for a wonderfully exciting read, but I was also treated to an in-depth lesson on everything from marine navigation to the everyday life of a fisherman to what it physiologically feels like to drown. I found this book to be entertaining, enlightening, and absolutely thrilling. My only conplaint is that my wife about walked out on me when we finally saw the movie...I wouldn't shut up about what I'd learned from this book!
Rating:
Summary: remembering the day
Review: I have known one of the young man on board this ship, and have been at his families home, and I am still in contact with his mother today, who lives in south hamilton, mass. I am deeply touched by this true story... as I remember so well... the day when we were told that he was missing... good work.
Rating:
Summary: A New Respect for the People who fish the Seas
Review: I recommend this book to anybody who has an interest in the ocean. This book left me with a new found respect for the men and women who fish the seas of the east coast. I live just about 30 miles east of Glaucter so I remeber the storm well but didnt realize its full effect until reading this book. This book describes what I now believe to be the hardest and most dangerous job in the world. An eye opening book to all that was exciting all the way through. Even if you don't know much about fishing you will love this book.
Rating:
Summary: wonderful story of a life few of us will ever know
Review: The book provides plenty of background information on the lives and careers of these people but I never found it to be boring. It was actually quite helpful in understanding what all of the chaos was about when the storm approaches. The book peaks wonderfully and leaves the reader flipping pages desperately to see what comes next. If you liked the movie, the book will hold you spellbound.
Rating:
Summary: Reads like fiction
Review: I picked up this book after seeing the movie, something I almost never do. I wanted to see if the movie was a fair adaptation. It definitely was, more than fair. The book itself is a series of events of the storm that were told to Junger by different people that survived the storm. The fate of the ANDREA GALE and her crew is told to us by what the oldtimers think might have happened and how the people might have reacted to certain situations. Junger also gives us a portrait of these men so that we may understand their behaviors better and get a feel for what happened. It also tells of the National Guard Rescue mission and the rescue of a sailing vessel at sea. Deeply moving and unforgetable, you won't regret picking this one up. ** Pandora
Rating:
Summary: Perfect Marketing Plan but poor storytelling
Review: I find true stories of human hardship and endurance such as 'Into Thin Air" compelling. But watch out when someone tries writes about a story to which there were no surviving eyewitnesses, such as the Andrea Gail sinking, "into the Wild" etc. This book goes off on tangents to fill space, such as how do we forecast storms, or how do longline fisherman live. But the actual story of the Andrea Gail crew is a thin thread, shrouded by conjecture. And the most dissapointing and telltale feature is the lack of authentic photographs in the book, substituted by cheesy set of glossy prints from the movie, with that ER guy. No, my imgination did not go anywhere with this.....but its making lots of $$ in the theatre.
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