On Our Bookshelf

Prepare yourself, you’re about to be inundated (no pun intended) by hype for Ron Howard’s upcoming movie adaptation of

starring none other than Thor himself, Chris Hemsworth. It is the story of a Nantucket-based whaleship named that was attacked and sunk by an angry sperm whale thousands of miles off the coast of South America, the true tale that inspired Herman Melville to pen his classic tome

Calamity ensues, trust me. And I’m sure the movie will get most of the action just about right. But what Philbrick does in his book, is not only capture the heart-pounding violence and adventure of the whole ordeal, but also give real events both historical and psychological weight, things much better conveyed via page than film. And it’s one hell of a read, at that. But if you need more reason to read it, just look at it this way, now’s your chance to be the guy who can say “eh, the book was better.” –