One reads with the most intense concern, anxiety and concentration; and if one knows anything at all about the sea one feels the absolutely enormous strength of the hurricane winds and the incredibly towering mass of the hundred-foot waves.--Patrick O'Brian

A terrifying, edifying read...Readers...are first seduced into caring for the book's doomed characters, then compelled to watch them carried into the jaws of a meteorological hell. Junger's compassionate, intelligent voice instructs us effortlessly on the sea life of the sword-fisherman, the physics of a sinking steel ship, and the details of death by drowning.--Dava Sobel

Every boater is drawn to storm-at-sea stories, and this one beats them all.-- "Philadelphia Inquirer"

Rich, compassionate characterization, as well as taut, suspenseful prose. A tale that doesn't skimp on facts, yet keeps you turning pages from beginning to end.-- "Seattle Times"

Riveting...The natural upheaval holds center stage and acts as a character, but the story converges upon human beings--in this case, the six-man crew of the doomed Gloucester swordfishing boat Andrea Gail.-- "Boston Globe"

Harrowing, relentless...and thoroughly enjoyable.-- "Kansas City Star"

The pages of this book crunch with salt.-- "Boating"

Thrilling...even if you have never been to sea, Junger's account will put the frighteners on you.-- "New York Times Book Review"

Guaranteed to blow readers away...A+.-- "Entertainment Weekly"

A superb book.-- "Washington Post"

[A] white-knuckle chronicle...[A] true adventure story.-- "Newsweek"

Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company

Pub date: 2009-06-01

Length: 248 pages