Rating: 
Summary: Re-read Joseph Conrad
Review: "Perfect Storm" a tragic tale simply told with little visceral impact. For style, character development and visceral contrast re-read Joseph Conrad's short stories: "Nigger of the Narcissus" and "Typhoon." Most of the four and five star reviewers will drop their scores . . . I bet.
Rating: 
Summary: I hate to be a contrarian, but . . .
Review: I'm not impressed. It reads like a schlocky men's adventure magazine for daydreaming urbanites stuck behind their desks (e.g. "Outside"). Honestly, I wonder if Mr. Junger has spent much time on or around the ocean . . . his account is sprinkled w/ technical jargon: about weather, seamanship, and fishing, that he clearly doesn't understand. No doubt, he interviewed many knowledgable authorities, but you get the impression that he edited their comments for sensational effect(such as the skipper who says "70 foot waves? I'd be changing my diapers about that point . . ." before relating that 35 footers were serious enough), or "it was blowing 50 to 80 where we were . . ." (I'd bet my paycheck that no seaman uttered that statement: 80 knots is two or three quantum leaps from 50). And then there's the utterly tasteless, three page description of the doomed crew drowning, an event which no survivor witnessed (I wonder how their relatives felt about that part). There's just too much speculation and sensation here for my taste . . . and I've got well over 10,000 offshore miles on my own boat. It just doesn't ring true.
Rating: 
Summary: The sea is a very mysterious and dangerous place
Review: This was a nice book. It gave me a good understanding of what people fishing for a living have to deal with day to day and trip to trip. I would highly recommend this book to anyone! Its just sad people had to die but I guess it is part of the danger. Read it before you watch the movie which is coming out soon. Must read!
Rating: 
Summary: A terrifying book that must be read to be believed
Review: I asked my father if he could recommend an interesting read and he handed me this book. Starting out as leisurely stroll through the history of the Gloucester coast and the daily comings and goings of professional fishermen, page by page The Perfect Storm becomes an increasingly tense and unsettling recreation of the tragedy that befell the crew of a small fishing vessel during one of the worst storms in recorded history. Although Junger takes the occasional unwelcome diversion into history and technical description, his book is genuinely frightening - the journey through the physical sensation of drowning is particularly disturbing - but most of all, it is very sad. The coda is some of the most hauting writing I have ever read. Stick through the difficult stuff and you'll be richly rewarded.
Rating:
Summary: Forget that cruise I was planning!
Review: If you're looking for a book with a plot, THE PERFECT STORM will disappoint you. This is not a tightly-written thriller, but rather a book of ruminations and contemplations. If, on the other hand, plunging into the high-risk, high-reward world of swordfishing is of interest to you, you'll find this book very compelling, as I did. It really brought to life the meaning of the words engraved on the famous Gloucester fisherman statue ... "Those that go down to the sea in ships". It is incredible what dangers these men and women endure to put a fish steak on our dinner tables. In fact, reflecting upon it a bit, it's shocking to me that what we eat may cost the lives of fishermen. In THE PERFECT STORM, you'll learn about the manly men that fish the Grand Banks, the anguish of the women that love them, plus a lot about weather, the fishing industry, the dynamics of ocean waves, and the amazing lengths rescue crews may go to in order to save sailors in distress. You'll even learn more than you probably want to know about what it feels like to drown. A great read.
Rating:
Summary: Give this as a present to a reluctant reader
Review: I love Junger's book, not just as a fan, but as an English teacher who has used it to turn many non-readers into readers. It combines history, background information and adventure into a real page turner. I'm a vicarious storm freak (you know, the type who lives for the Discovery Channels live footage of tornados) who never wants to be out in one, but loves reading about them. This has to be one of my favorite adventure books of all time. I read it when it first came out, but my memory of "rogue waves" is still going strong. Buy it for someone you know who doesn't like to read.
Rating:
Summary: Incredible !
Review: An excellent book. If you have no interest in storms, boats or fishing you will read this book in a day or two at most. If you have any interest in the above mentioned items - you won't put it down.
Rating:
Summary: KNOCKED MY SOXS OFF!
Review: If you read one book this year "A Perfect Storm" should be it. The writing is so good I found myself getting seasick! I have spent a little time at sea, but it might be awhile before I head out on the waves again. This is a real life adventure/thriller! I also recomend: "A Tourist in the Yucatan"
Rating:
Summary: Get this before the movie is released!
Review: While I'm looking forward to seeing Junger's words come to life on the big screen, I can't help but think that no movie will do this book justice. The incredible description of one of the most fantastic meterological events in recorded history, and its impact on the crew of the Andrea Gail and others, is a fantastic read...and reminds us all to have a healthy respect for nature and its awesome power.
Rating:
Summary: Perfect sea story, by fermed
Review: This book gripped me as few ever have: I read straight through it, and then started all over to reexamine some of the intricate details which I had hurried over the first time around. Those readers who have ever been in a real storm at sea should not be surprised if their viscera become activated by this book: during my reading I took occasional walks around the block to experience terra firme and distance myself from the intense emotions the book was eliciting. Over 550 Amazon people have had something to say about The Perfect Storm, so there is not much left to add by way of an evaluation. Except this: I have a son who, though extremely bright, has never been much of a reader. He is a boat captain, and I sent him a copy. So far the only book he had ever read from cover to cover in his entire life was Winnie the Poo. Now he has doubled that list.
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