Leviathan: The History of Whaling in America Audiobook

" A thorough survey, it is exciting without being sensational (except when necessary). Now it makes more sense to me why people would risk their lives in this way -They didn't have any other options. This is also a great tale of the 'independent Yankee' spirt' industrious, independent and forward looking as it was. "

" Great account of America's first industry. Whaling provided 50% of the export revenue to the colony in the 1760s, and was a major industry up to the 1850s, supporting the lighting and corset industries with product. Makes on want to read Moby Dick. Nice history of the whaling ports of Nantucket, New Bedford and others. "

" Excellent book on the history of whaling in America. The author has done an excellent job in turning a subject that may, at first, sound a bit dry, into a fascinating tale that kept me turning the pages. "

" It made me really want to go back to the New Bedford Whaling Museum. "

" Sweeping history of a little known element of American history. Loved it! "

" This is a wonderfully researched book that provides the reader with a terrific overview of the history of whaling and the importance of the industry in years past. However, I found the writing style quite distant. The book read more like a history lesson than an emotive account of the industry. "

" Great Learned so much about CAPE COD and the QUAKERS "

" A thorough, well-written and interesting history of whaling in america. "

" The first chapter and the parts about Nantucket were a bit slow, but the descriptions of whaling were riveting and the author told the story well. Recommended. "

" This book was a leviathan to read. About 1/2 of the book was interesting. "

" Fast paced history of American whaling, an industry that helped to build up our burgeoning commercial dominance in the early decades of our country. Good read, though a little dry in parts. "

" Dry, almost academic, recounting of north american whaling up to the early 20th century. Doesn't try to make any broad assumptions or dray connection that aren't there. Well reported and fascinating subject. "

" Very interesting, I didn't get bored at all. I think in another life I was a pirate or a whaleship captain! "

" This is a wonderfully told story of the life and death of an industry, and almost a species. It intercedes between the history of whaling itself and a aprticular period in American history. The one regret I have is that it covered the decline of the industry rather too quickly. "

" This book is a fascinating glimpse at an industry that had deep reaching effects on most facets of American life. It is fascinating and well written. "

" I picked this up randomly at the library, but being from a Whaling town I was really curious. It was an excellent overview of the industry and late 19th Century history. "

" Interesting and easy to read overview of American whaling. "

" A great overview of historical fishing. Blends the history and the biology nicely in a nice narrative style. I will be using this for my class in historical ecology next year "

" It's well done but overall it didn't tell me anything I hadn't already learned by reading through the shelf full of whaling history books I bought eons ago. "

" Loved it! If you enjoy American history and stories of the sea, you will like this book! Impeccably researched and documented. A real joy! "

" The history was good, but the subject was very sad. "

" Very interesting, and more than a little sad. Important read for Americans or anyone who is a consumer or has an impact on their environment. "

" Another suprising look about our past. "

" Informative and shocking. A true tale of human greed and wanton waste. "

" Interesting study of the geo-political impact of the fur trade during the 18th and 19th century. I found the first half of the book a bit dry but enjoyed the reading about the western fur trade during the post colonial period. "

" Very good. Interesting to look at the early history of the US from a more economic mercantile standpoint. "

" Very interesting! I really liked it, of course I love history and this is a part of history that has been put under a microscope. Eric Dolan did a fabulous job! "