The Perfect Storm : A True Story of Men Against the Sea

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Summary: A story of courage, fear, heartbreak, hope, and disaster
Review: This story won't leave me. Read the book - then read it again. This true story is powerfully written. If you've ever been frightened at sea - this book will grab you. The fishermen of the Andrea Gail were a hard drinking, hard living lot - but I wanted them to come home - if only they could have survived. They don't - and like usual in real life - it wasn't because of one big mistake, but many little mistakes, compounding to disaster. The Andrea Gail is only part Junger's story. Junger tells of a storm - and how it impacted peoples lives. Many ships get in trouble - some are rescued, some ride it out, some sink. When the coast guard swings into action - they end up ditching a rescue helicopter, again, not because of one big mistake, but many small ones compounded. Five men went down, only four were rescued. This is real life - it doesn't have a happy ending. Thats why its important. Thats what gives this book its power. Human beings are awesome when pitted against impossible odds. I felt proud and humble when reading this book. ...the impossible bravery of the men risking their own lives to rescue others in grave conditions ...the human gut-renching fear of facing and actually dealing with one's mortality...the heartbreak, bitterness, and un-ending suffering of the women who lost a lover, son, husband, father...the awesome finality of nature's wrath. I'll remember this book for a long long time.

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Summary: Read book while on boat delivery, got caught in a storm.
Review: While delivering a boat to Florida, I read the book and got caught in a storm just below Cape Fear. It gives a new insight into what can happen to a vessel in a severe storm that can last for days on end. We were blown 150 miles out to sea. If I had 17 pairs of shorts, they would have all been changed, especially after reading "The Perfect Storm". Granted the writing is not the best, however, the story is positively graphic and completely understandable. Any person that goes to sea, even for recreation, should read this tome. Captain Bill Kirk, Master USMS.

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Summary: If only there were a picture
Review: Sometimes this book is so technical in its description of the boat and the hazards that can happen to them in open sea, that I really missed having some sort of visual reference. Nevertheless it would be a small improvement to this exciting book that picks up speed every page. Great fun !!

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Summary: Fabulous
Review: As a mariner with some experience, I was surprised that this book made the hair on my arms stick straight up, even though I knew from the first how it was going to end. This book confirms the old sailor's statement,"If you're not terrified of the sea, you've got no business being on it." Not bad background on Swordfishing, codfishing and all that, as well.

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Summary: so-so book on good topic
Review: First 2/3 of book are worth 5/10; last 1/3 is an 8. Odd jumping between (interesting) digressions and (interesting) storyline mars book. Writing itself only so-so as well. I read POB, but couldn't get into this "story" until the end where he pretty much settles on one thread.

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Summary: Par excellence!
Review: A rare blend of human intrigue, suspense (even though you KNOW the outcome), technical grasp of physics, meteorology, oceanography and the fishing industry. Not a book you can put down very easily. I will recommend it to all I know for a long, long time.

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Summary: Send a rescue Editor!
Review: The story related is interesting enough to carry the reader's interest, but the writing is atrocious and I can't understand how such a book gets the media wave to become a best-seller. The writing lacks dramatic pace, the story line is choppy, and there is a dismaying lack of compassion. The publisher is equally at fault for not demanding more careful editing and re-writing. If you want to hear a harrowing tale told right, read Krakauer's Into Thin Air. It sets a standard for humanistic adventure writing that A Perfect Storm cannot touch.

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Summary: The stuff of nightmares
Review: I finished this book almost a month ago and I still have vivid dreams about it. The image of monstrous waves taller than the length of a boat, the description of desperately trying to escape from within an overturned vessel and of the chilling sense of total isolation on a vast churning sea... all have obviously taken up residence deep in my subconscious. There can be no more powerful testimonial to a book's effectiveness than its power to wake you from a sound sleep gasping for air. I must be a little masochistic because, despite its effect, I loved every aspect of the book.

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Summary: A Thriller - suspenseful - wonderful research/insight!!
Review: From one who loves the sea, I can feel what's happening through his words. His research is incredible. Suspense, emotion, physics, meteorology, psychology, information, on & on. This book has it all and is tough to put down. I remember the storm well. I had a flight from Boston that night and was the first time I never really wanted to get on a plane.

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Summary: A perfect book about men against the sea
Review: Having been raised in a coastal seatown south of Boston, I was able to identify with the men aboard the Andrea Gail but on a much, much smaller scale. As a son of a sailor, the sheer drama and factual writing of this book pulled me in from page one. Junger put me in the shoes of a swordfisherman, a weatherman, and a man strapped against the unforgiving elements of the open sea. A terrific account not to be missed regardless of one's background or interest. It encourages me to visit "The Man At The Wheel" in Gloucester harbor once more. It's Hemmingway atop a 100' crest...