The Wreck of the Andrea Gail: Three Days of a Perfect Storm (When Disaster Strikes! (New York, N.Y.).)

By Gillian Houghton

Book Overview

Author Gillian Houghton brings to vivid life the maritime culture of Gloucester, the rough-and-tumble existence on a swordfishing boat, and the desperate lives of the swordfishers that make taking dangerous risks with the weather a necessity. Included in this compelling story are first-person observations of the crew's friends and family, accounts of radio messages from the Andrea Gail's captain, and a timeline that charts the ship's last turbulent hours. Also included are photos of the Andrea Gail that have never been published before!

• Format: Library Binding
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0823936775
• ISBN13: 9780823936779
• Release Date: December 2002
• Publisher: Rosen Central
• Length: 48 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 7.3" x 8.9"
• Age Range: 10 to 13 years
• Grade Range: Grades 5 to 8

Customer Reviews

A Nearly Perfect Book

"The Wreck of the Andrea Gail" is factual, tightly constructed, and roars to a tragic conclusion like the earlier Melville classic (although this book is considerably shorter, which I found congenial). The narrative is clearer than the over-rated recent movie. Altogether, a good read. I would like to see more from this author. Her bio says she is an experienced sailor but an unsuccessful fisher. One senses that the details of sailing down-wind and "foundering" are slightly beyond her grasp as she describes the strategies employed by the Andrea Gail on page 28. Still, this is a small flaw in a far broader tapestry. Bravo! Shiver me timbers! Steady as she goes!