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Summary: One of the most overrated novels around
Review: What is the appeal in a book that mostly uses in depth sailing terms and has very little actual action. Granted, the story itself has some appeal, but Junger spends most of the novel describing the technical aspects of the ships and of the fishing business. It wasn't until the end of the novel that it became quite captivating, but it was not worth wasting my time being bored by most of the book and interested in only about the final 30 pages.
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Summary: Kind of technical in parts, but great.
Review: I was so impressed with th ebook that I have resolved to never be on the open water again. I mean, 100 foot waves in the middle of no where. Excellent page turner.
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Summary: How's about some pictures?
Review: I am almost finished with THE PERFECT STORM and agree with the predeeding reviewer that Mr. Junger's grammar could be a bit tighter, but that's what editors are for, right? My point of contention is that because this story is meant to appeal to a wide audience, diagrams of the Andrea Gail with its various components would seem to be a worthy idea. It would seem peculiar that there are no pictures of any of the sword ships that are mentioned nor are there any photos of any of the six men who lost their lives aboard the Andrea Gail. However, there is a plea for financial contributions for a foundation??? Strange. The story itself is very compelling and, as a person happily ensconced on land, I cannot even imagine what it would be like to face waves that are larger than some of the buildings around me. The Perfect Storm is a good book for those with a grander capability of visualization than I.
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Summary: Oh Hear Us When We Cry to Thee For Those in Peril on the Sea
Review: "The Sea is Selective...slow at recognition of hard work and effort...but quick to sink the unfit." I'm sorry I don't remember the author of this, but it's message stayed with me the entire time I read THE PERFECT STORM......Having experienced the sea's fury in every ocean of the world during a 21+ year Navy career, I will give Sebastian Junger pretty high, but not "perfect" marks for his book...... As a previous reviewer noted, the lack of illustrations of the ANDREA GAIL is a significant weakeness. Having port, starboard, bow, stern, and overhead line drawings of the "AG" would significantly aid the reader in understanding much of Junger's descriptions. There are also illustrations available which would make the concepts of "ship stability", "righting arm and moment", and "metacentric height" EASILY comprehensible to the reader..... While understanding these ship design terms is certainly NOT required to enjoy the book, I found the suspense building EARLY because I DID realize the impending doom of some of the "imperfect" men AND women found in Junger's story......And "The Perfect Storm" is, ultimately, a story about people .... ordinary people who are simply trying to make it from day-to-day. When THESE people make decisions that we, too, might have made, or perhaps NOT have made, the narrative develops its gripping character......Does ANYone "deserve" to die at sea? After reading Junger's description of how a body drowns (pp. 141-146), I suspect that most readers will answer this question with a definite "No". In fact, I found myself holding my own breath as I read this section! ......Yes, there ARE some proofreading errors (hardcopy edition). Yes, there is some "technical" stuff. Don't let any of this deter you from reading this book. ......Just be prepared to take stock of your own life, and what you are doing with it, once you realize how very smal! l and insignificant you are when compared to the mighty expanse of the sea.
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Summary: The Perfect Storm's imperfect grammar!
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed the story and the journalistic style in which it was written, but I was continuosly interrupted by blatant grammatical errors throughout the entire book. Halfway through, I finally decided to start jotting them down and came up with six. I read the hardcover version in which Junger leaves out a word entirely on p.154 (read the last sentence and continue to p.155) and adds one word too many on p.194 (line 2, "...will to have to ditch..."). He uses the words "undoubtably" and "unknowable" which I couldn't find in MY edition of Webster! He misspelled the word switches (it reads "switchs" on p.211). Correct me if I'm wrong, but are you supposed to end a sentence with a preposition? (see p.195, line 13). I'm not usually this critical when reading for pleasure, but I've never seen so many errors in one book. Was anyone else bothered by this? Perhaps it is just the teacher in me. I just hope Junger has yet to sign over the checks to his proofreader and editor.
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Summary: completely riveiting and emotionally compelling
Review: Junger creates a wonderfully complete story out of very little, read nonexhistant, first hand information, that allows the reader to come as close as humanly possible to the events of that fateful Halloween nite. He brings you along for an emotional ride that mirror the very seas responsible for the deaths of so many lives. His use of metorology and local knowledge of the area allow those of use unfamiliar with the industry to create the type of mental map necessary to understand the conditions that drive these men and women to the sea. As compelling and intense as anything I've read since "Into Thin Air."
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Summary: Great combination of technical detail with human interest
Review: The Perfect Storm is a must for anyone who loves the ocean. Man's mastery of the technical details of commercial fishing, meteorology, and air-sea rescue contrasts with man's failure to control or even survive nature's wrath. The story is well-written and highly readable - in fact, difficult to put down.
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Summary: Harrowing, wet and compelling
Review: What a rivetting read. I just read it cover to cover and continued to thank God I was looking out a window on to dry land rather than a port hole and a raging sea. Sometimes the bed I was reading on seemed to roll with the imaginary swells Junger was creating in my mind. I thought the climax was going to be the sinking of the Andrea Gale, but the helicopter ditching and subsequent rescue raised my pulse to fresh levels in adventure writing.The heroism of the pilots and the ferocity of ocean. In the end though I think it is a guys book. A great read on a wet afternoon.
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Summary: My review offers nothing but praise for this new author.
Review: Absolutely engrossing! The author is a true professional. You will not only learn a great deal about ships, swordfishing, and rescue procedures, but will gain knowledge and respect for the uncontrollable power of the sea. You will feel what the characters feel on every page as you live with them throughout this book. Truly captivating! I could not put this book down! Sebastian Junger has a natural talent for giving the reader so much information without losing their interest. His writing style is straightforward and informative, yet captivating and suspenseful! You will feel a true concern for the characters involved and will stay up late at night to find out what happens to each of them! Excellent!
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Summary: I have been there...
Review: A good book...just wanted to comment on "a reader 5/26/98"...I am an active duty Pararescueman and knew Rick Smith (killed on this mission) and know John Spillane (both Pararescuemen in the book) and no matter how the Air National Guard is portrayed the "reader's" comments are uncalled for. One PJ gave his life to save others...the entire crew risked their lives and comments like "Sortie with the National Guard Air Sea Rescue (your tax dollars at work) when our heroes are too drunk to find the radio for their hourly report" is uncalled for. These men are truly heros and if the "reader" dosen't realize that and chooses to belittle the life of MY FRIEND then I feel compelled to comment. I realize this is not the proper forum for these comments, I hope your readers will temper their comments with the realization that the "heros" were (and are) truly heros. I would have commented privately to "reader" but, for some reason, he didn't want to make public his email address.
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