Read Owen Chase's memoir which inspired Moby-Dick and In the Heart of the Sea; the major motion picture from Ron Howard; released December 2015. Owen Chase was the first mate on the ill-fated American whaling ship Essex; which was attacked and sunk by a sperm whale in the southern Pacific Ocean in 1820. The crew spent months at sea in leaking boats and endured the blazing sun; attacks by killer whales; and lack of food. The men were forced to resort to cannibalism before the final eight survivors were rescued. Herman Melville based his 1851 novel; Moby-Dick; on the sinking. Chase recorded the tale of the ship's sinking and the following events with harrowing clarity in the Wreck of the Whale Ship Essex. "I turned around and saw him about one hundred rods [500 m or 550 yards] directly ahead of us; coming down with twice his ordinary speed of around 24 knots (44 km/h); and it appeared with tenfold fury and vengeance in his aspect. The surf flew in all directions about him with the continual violent thrashing of his tail. His head about half out of the water; and in that way he came upon us; and again struck the ship." - Owen Chase. Filled with art; photographs; maps; and artifacts; this is a richly illustrated edition of Chase's memoir; augmented with memoirs of other participants; as well as the perspectives of historians; contemporary and modern. "If you are interested in a coffee-table book which covers the importance of the whaling industry and the wreck that influenced Herman Melville to write the American classic Moby-Dick; then get the Complete Illustrated Edition: Wreck of the Whale Ship Essex." - William Connery; Author of Civil War Northern Virginia 1861
#650764 in Books 2016-05-02 2016-05-16Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 10.01 x .55 x 6.97l; .0 #File Name: 075912437X232 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Interesting and ThoughtfulBy MorettiThis is a very well-researched and thoughtful book on how museums can approach the representation of "difficult histories" through respectful and careful negotiation; keeping viewers' sensibilities in mind while ensuring historically faithful exhibits. The information about how people may resist what they are learning because it challenges their moral view of the world is really interesting; and the strategies proposed are very helpful. This book is good for educators who teach upsetting histories as it helps you understand how to manage the learning process: how to ensure learning while having empathy for how difficult and stressful that learning might be for the student.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Useful beyond museumsBy Jacklyn H. DucoteExcellent ideas not only for the museum field but also for use in many other professions.
