Moby Dick; Or, The Whale

by Herman Melville

Overview

Moby Dick; Or, The Whale Call me Ishmael. So begins the famous opening chapter of Moby-Dick; or, The Whale. Young sailor Ishmael is hired as a crew member of a whaler named Pequod, captained by a man named Ahab. In between lengthy chapters on whale biology and descriptions of the crew and the whaling trade, readers are slowly introduced to a captivating tale. Ahab is out for revenge on the great white whale that stole his leg, leaving him with a whale-bone prosthesis and a withering hatred for the beast. Known as Moby Dick, the whale is infamous for his encounters and escapes with whale ships, and Ahab offers a gold coin, nailed to the Pequod's mast, as a reward for whoever sights him first. Beginning on a cold Christmas morning, the crew embarks on a journey to find the whale and make their fortunes. An exciting staple of American literature, Moby-Dick is a must-read for anyone interested in the classics. Herman Melville was inspired to write Moby Dick by the 1821 biographical account Narrative of the Most Extraordinary and Distressing Shipwreck of the Whale-ship Essex (Cosimo Classics, 2015), which in turn inspired the 2000 novel and 2015 movie, In the Heart of the Sea. HERMAN MELVILLE (1819-1891) was an American novelist. Born in New York, Melville lived and worked in the city for many years before moving with his family to Massachusetts, where he enjoyed a short friendship with author Nathaniel Hawthorne. Many of Melville's books are inspired by his own experiences; he sailed on merchant and whaling ships, spent time on the Marquesas Islands with natives, and spent time in England, Egypt, and Palestine. Melville even wrote poetry reflecting on the American Civil War. He eventually retired in New York City, where he was buried in the Bronx, relatively unknown. Melville was the author of 19 books of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry, including *Typee* (1846), Moby-Dick (1851), "Bartelby the Scrivener" (1853), "Benito Cerino"

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781973949497
Publisher:	CreateSpace Publishing
Publication date:	07/27/2017
Pages:	302
Product dimensions:	8.50(w) x 11.02(h) x 0.63(d)

About the Author

Herman Melville (1819–1891) was an American novelist, short story writer, and poet, best known for his masterpiece Moby-Dick, which is widely regarded as one of the greatest American novels. Melville's life and works reflect his deep engagement with themes such as the human condition, nature, identity, and the mysteries of existence.

Early Life:
Melville was born in New York City to a wealthy family, but his early life was marked by tragedy. His father died when he was just 12 years old, leaving the family financially unstable. Melville attended various schools but dropped out to work, eventually finding employment on merchant ships. His experience at sea became a profound influence on his writing.

Date of Birth:

August 1, 1819

Date of Death:

September 28, 1891

Place of Birth:

New York, New York

Place of Death:

New York, New York

Education:

Attended the Albany Academy in Albany, New York, until age 15

Editorial Reviews

Time Magazine:
"With its rich symbolism and intricate prose, Moby-Dick is not just a story of a whaling voyage, but a profound meditation on humanity's endless quest for meaning. A challenging and rewarding read, it is a book that resonates with readers across generations."
Source: Time Magazine

Time Magazine: - N/A