About the Author

Nathaniel Philbrick, is a leading authority on the history of Nantucket Island. His In the Heart of the Sea won the National Book Award. His latest book is Sea of Glory, about the epic U.S. Exploring Expedition of 1838-1842. His other books include Away off Shore: Nantucket Island and Its People, 1602-1890 (which Russell Baker called "indispensable") and Abram's Eyes: The Native American Legend of Nantucket Island ("a classic of historical truthtelling," according to Stuart Frank, director of the Kendall Whaling Museum). He has written an introduction to a new edition of Joseph Hart's Miriam Coffin, or The Whale Fisherman, a Nantucket novel (first published in 1834) that Melville relied upon for information about the island when writing Moby Dick.

Reviews

Gracefully written [with an] infectious enthusiasm "New York Times Book Review"
Exuberant. --"Boston Globe"
Brilliant and provocative "The New Yorker"
[A] slim, passionate manifesto "Chicago Tribune"
A slim, easy-to-read argument on why you should definitely put ["Moby-Dick"] on your bucket list. "History Wire"
WHY READ MOBY-DICK? reels in a compelling case short, lucid, intelligent Philbrick s more like a literary color analyst, helping readers see the novel better while also creating a sense of excitement about it. "Milwaukee Journal Sentinel"
This slender volume is packed with reasons why you might want to read the whaling classic. " Minneapolis Star-Tribune"
"" This slender, pleasant, sincere book by the maritime historian and naval enthusiast is more than a respectable tribute unencumbered by academic prose. Approaching "Moby-Dick" from outside the academy is refreshing, and Philbrick s enthusiasm is contagious .So put me down for a reading of "Moby-Dick" in 2012, and count Philbrick s book a success. "The New Republic"
Philbrick does the literary world great service by bringing "Moby-Dick" back into popular attention and also by his skill in keeping American history fresh and alive. "Aspen Daily News"
Sure to swell the readership of Melville s masterpiece. "Booklist" (Starred review)
In this cogent and passionate polemic for Melville s masterpiece, Philbrick combines a critical eye and a reader s adoration to make a case for "Moby-Dick" Less lit-crit and more readers guide, this tome will remind fans why they loved the book in the first place, and whet the appetites of trepid potential readers. "Publishers Weekly"
A slim celebration of the elements of a literary masterpiece Philbrick is an enthusiastic salesman for a sometimes daunting novel. "Kirkus"
So you liked Philbrick s "In the Heart of the Sea," which re-created the wreck of the whaleship Essex, inspiration for Herman Melville s "Moby-Dick"? Then you ll love Philbrick s new book From a wonderful and knowing writer. "Library Journal," pre-pub alert"

Gracefully written [with an] infectious enthusiasm "New York Times Book Review"

Exuberant. --"Boston Globe"
Brilliant and provocative "The New Yorker"
[A] slim, passionate manifesto "Chicago Tribune"
A slim, easy-to-read argument on why you should definitely put ["Moby-Dick"] on your bucket list. "History Wire"
WHY READ MOBY-DICK? reels in a compelling case short, lucid, intelligent Philbrick s more like a literary color analyst, helping readers see the novel better while also creating a sense of excitement about it. "Milwaukee Journal Sentinel"
This slender volume is packed with reasons why you might want to read the whaling classic. " Minneapolis Star-Tribune"
"" This slender, pleasant, sincere book by the maritime historian and naval enthusiast is more than a respectable tribute unencumbered by academic prose. Approaching "Moby-Dick" from outside the academy is refreshing, and Philbrick s enthusiasm is contagious .So put me down for a reading of "Moby-Dick" in 2012, and count Philbrick s book a success. "The New Republic"
Philbrick does the literary world great service by bringing "Moby-Dick" back into popular attention and also by his skill in keeping American history fresh and alive. "Aspen Daily News"
Sure to swell the readership of Melville s masterpiece. "Booklist" (Starred review)
In this cogent and passionate polemic for Melville s masterpiece, Philbrick combines a critical eye and a reader s adoration to make a case for "Moby-Dick" Less lit-crit and more readers guide, this tome will remind fans why they loved the book in the first place, and whet the appetites of trepid potential readers. "Publishers Weekly"
A slim celebration of the elements of a literary masterpiece Philbrick is an enthusiastic salesman for a sometimes daunting novel. "Kirkus"
So you liked Philbrick s "In the Heart of the Sea," which re-created the wreck of the whaleship Essex, inspiration for Herman Melville s "Moby-Dick"? Then you ll love Philbrick s new book From a wonderful and knowing writer. "Library Journal," pre-pub alert"