2026 Reading Challenge
In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex

Questions About In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex

by Nathaniel Philbrick (Goodreads Author)

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Answered Questions (10)

What did you think the most surprising part of the story was?
Jennifer Juniper
This answer contains spoilers… (view spoiler)
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Don´t you think that "In the Heart of the Sea tells perhaps the greatest sea story ever" is so exaggerated? What about Moby-Dick itself?
William Hands In the Heart is the actual historical story. It may not be the greatest sea story ever, but it certainly trumps a work of fiction based on its own eve…moreIn the Heart is the actual historical story. It may not be the greatest sea story ever, but it certainly trumps a work of fiction based on its own events.(less)
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What is the language content and sexual content of this book? I run a book club for older ladies who don't care for that content. Thank you!
Stephen D. No danger here. The closest thing I can think of that might be objectionable was a brief description of whales copulating. Pretty tame stuff.
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In the real story Captain Pollard shows feckless leadership as he lets the crew override his sensible plan to seek safety in the nearby Society Islands. "All the sufferings of these miserable men of the Essex might, in all human probability, have been avoided, had they, immediately after leaving the wreck, steered straight for Tahiti," - Melville. Why in time of crisis did the Captain fail to be more authoritative?
Chelsea It's hard to answer for sure, but I think the heart of it is that he was a new captain who had a lot of trust and respect for his mates-- but that mea…moreIt's hard to answer for sure, but I think the heart of it is that he was a new captain who had a lot of trust and respect for his mates-- but that meant when they were afraid to go to Tahiti he put too much stock in them. (less)
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difference between in the heart of sea / moby dick / old man and the sea and reviews of all the three and also are there any other novels on whale and sea like these?
Richard Pierce Heart of the sea is historical fact. Moby Dick is a work of fiction which may or may not be based on the historical facts as portrayed in Heart of the…moreHeart of the sea is historical fact. Moby Dick is a work of fiction which may or may not be based on the historical facts as portrayed in Heart of the Sea. Old Man and the Sea is fiction which may or may not be based on the experiences of Hemingway.
Historical works about the sea would include Mutiny on the Bounty, Last Flag Down( last confederate ship in the American Civil War). Out on Gutenberg.org there are books about Captain Cook's explorations of the South Pacific.
As for works of fiction, I can't help.(less)
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Unanswered Questions (8)

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