This review is based on an Advanced Reader's Copy - thank you Penguin Books!

I recently finished reading Moby Dick which I enjoyed, but found occasionally off topic and meandering. So many people have described MB as the ultimate American novel. Although it was good, I wasn't positive that it deserved that accolade. Unlike Moby Dick, Nathaniel Philbrick's book Why Read Moby-Dick? is short - it's really a set of essays about various characters and features of the book. But in spite of its length, it packs in a wealth of information. He covers much of Melville's background and the friendships and events that influenced Melville to write Moby Dick. I especially liked his discussion of how the country was torn apart by the issue of slavery and how that issue is reflected in the book. Philbrick has won the National Book Award for In the Heart of the Sea which is the incredible story of the whaleship Essex that was rammed and sunk by a whale. This event inspired Melville's classic. Philbrick's analysis of different passages of Moby Dick really added to my appreciation of this book - so much so that I know I will be reading MB again. And I'll definitely add some of Philbrick's books to my list - this book was excellent.