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kairosdreaming's review against another edition
3.0
Having just read a book about a Captain of the sister ship to the Andrea Gail, I figured I should read the book about the actual Andrea Gail. It's best known as being the ship that went down in the movie 'The Perfect Storm', which was based on this book and claimed the lives of all who were on board.
Junger plays investigative reporter in this book, learning about the lives of the men who fished on the Andrea Gail. He tries, through narrative, to piece together what the preparation and voyage must have been like and combines it with historical references of similar storms and shipwreck experiences.
It's not a job I'd ever want to take, that's for sure. And even though the payout can be large (although that's a gamble), the risks are also quite large. Junger does a good job of presenting the men as honorably as he can, while still keeping their realities (I was a little disturbed by the casual references to domestic violence committed by a girlfriend).
This is another book that I'd definitely more recommend to those interested in the fishing/sailing theme, as opposed to just general reading.
Review by M. Reynard 2023
Junger plays investigative reporter in this book, learning about the lives of the men who fished on the Andrea Gail. He tries, through narrative, to piece together what the preparation and voyage must have been like and combines it with historical references of similar storms and shipwreck experiences.
It's not a job I'd ever want to take, that's for sure. And even though the payout can be large (although that's a gamble), the risks are also quite large. Junger does a good job of presenting the men as honorably as he can, while still keeping their realities (I was a little disturbed by the casual references to domestic violence committed by a girlfriend).
This is another book that I'd definitely more recommend to those interested in the fishing/sailing theme, as opposed to just general reading.
Review by M. Reynard 2023
kessler21's review against another edition
4.0
I went into his book not expecting to like it, to find it boring. I was pleasantly surprised.
I watched the movie before and figured there was not enough to this book but man was I wrong.
This book tells the story of of the disappearance of the Andrea Gail and her crew. It tells the lives of the crew members. The book delves into sword-fishing, which more people die per-capita than any other job. It give the history of Gloucester and the history of sword-fishing. It teaches you how the weather works and how large waves work. How ships sink and the science behind drowning (which is pretty straight forward) All the while keeping your interest. Sebastian uses other ships in similar storms and some in the same storm to project what the last minutes on the Andrea Gail might have been like.
A wonderful story, amazing story, how many unlikely things came together at the same time to create The Perfect Storm.
I watched the movie before and figured there was not enough to this book but man was I wrong.
This book tells the story of of the disappearance of the Andrea Gail and her crew. It tells the lives of the crew members. The book delves into sword-fishing, which more people die per-capita than any other job. It give the history of Gloucester and the history of sword-fishing. It teaches you how the weather works and how large waves work. How ships sink and the science behind drowning (which is pretty straight forward) All the while keeping your interest. Sebastian uses other ships in similar storms and some in the same storm to project what the last minutes on the Andrea Gail might have been like.
A wonderful story, amazing story, how many unlikely things came together at the same time to create The Perfect Storm.
katiescho741's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 Stars.
I love a sea-based misadventure, and I've read loads, but this one was bogged down by so much technical language. I know nothing of fishing or the equipment they use, or the boating terms, and a lot of this book is just that. I found myself reading whole pages and barely understanding a word of it.
Saying that, it's an interesting story, and I learned a lot about the culture of fishing communities in New England, and things like para-rescue jumpers. The descriptions of what happens to the body while drowning were horrific, as well as the aftermath experienced by the survivors.
Not one of my favourite ocean-based books, but a decent read if you like this sort of thing.
I love a sea-based misadventure, and I've read loads, but this one was bogged down by so much technical language. I know nothing of fishing or the equipment they use, or the boating terms, and a lot of this book is just that. I found myself reading whole pages and barely understanding a word of it.
Saying that, it's an interesting story, and I learned a lot about the culture of fishing communities in New England, and things like para-rescue jumpers. The descriptions of what happens to the body while drowning were horrific, as well as the aftermath experienced by the survivors.
Not one of my favourite ocean-based books, but a decent read if you like this sort of thing.
martmann47's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
tense
medium-paced
4.25
lindyloureads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
3.5
sweetbabylu's review against another edition
3.0
3.5ish stars. Not as good as all the hype but the writing was really good. The story could have been half has long as there was ample info, which was cool but there were tangents for sure. Crazy story!
readeatretreat's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.5