Leviathan: The History of Whaling in America | Comprehensive Guide to US Whaling Industry | Perfect for History Buffs & Maritime Enthusiasts

I don't generally read histories. I usually read novels. Although I love the subject matter of history, i.e. humanity, I find most historical narratives as dry as the leftover hardtack from a long sea voyage. In light of that it is essential to point out that Eric Jay Dolin's, Leviathan: The History of Whaling in America, is much more than just an historical narrative.As an obsessive enthusiast of Herman Melville's Moby-Dick I have read that novel at least eight times. Every time I have the privilege of reading, and teaching, the greatest American novel ever written, I find myself in need of further research to embellish both my and my students' literary and historical experience of whaling. Dolin's history fills that sea bill of lading admirably. Not only is it a comprehensive history of the American Whaling Industry, as the title indicates, but it reads like one of the better novels I have ever relished. His creative success lies in the fact that he uses historicity, the citation of primary sources, in a way that allows the reader to envision the players and hear their voices.As a student of Melville's prose I have always wondered about the Arthurian fascination I feel whenever I read the arresting Romance of The Quest for the White Whale. Reading Dolin's history helped me better understand the facts behind my Romantic fascination as well as vividly conveying the stories that delineate one of American history's most successful, significant and lucrative industries. A perfect example of this can be found in Chapter Five, "The Whale's Whale," when the author clearly explains the practical importance of hunting the Sperm Whale and how it got its name.The ultimate success of Dolin's history can be distilled into one word, storytelling. Dolin is a magnificent and articulate storyteller. The exhaustive research that went into the composition of this history includes some of the most compelling and adventurous tales this reader has ever experienced. From the Colonial tales of "Crook Jaw," through the American Revolution, and right into the exploits of Commodore David Porter during the War of 1812, Dolin captures the full excitement and adventure of whaling and the country that "once upon a time" excelled the rest of the world in its economic and military supremacy. A nation that once achieved that prowess through innovation and creativity rather than sheer wealth and brute force. Moving from there he vividly portrays the ascent and decline of whaling through "The Golden Age" to "The Disaster and Decay," of the industry not long after the mayhem of the Civil War. In short, the success of this book is no fluke. It has won numerous awards because of the author's well-yarned tales.This reader is also struck by the abundantly hopeful undertones of this work. The fact that America survived its dependency on whale oil, an industry as vital to American sustenance then as crude oil is today, through the discovery of alternative fuel sources, is a living testament to Yankee ingenuity. That ingenuity has historically dictated our success as a nation. What is particularly pertinent about Dolin's history is the lesson it contains; as a nation we have weaned ourselves off detrimental energy dependencies before, with some determination, we can do it again!The W.W. Norton Company also deserves rich praise. Through the publication of this brilliant history they have maintained their sterling, and well-deserved, reputation for publishing the finest, and most authoritative, critical works available. Like their Critical Edition of Moby-Dick they have once again proven themselves to be the zenith of scholarly research and expert storytelling. As such, Eric Jay Dolin and W.W. Norton richly compliment one another; they both have a good eye for a great tale.