Eric Jay Dolin

Leviathan

The History of Whaling in America

“The best history of American whaling to come along in a generation.” —Nathaniel Philbrick

This “engrossing account ... at once grand and quirky, entertaining and informative” (Publishers Weekly) delivers the fascinating 300-year history of American whaling, integrating literary, social, and economic history into an epic account of this once-vital industry.

“Mr. Dolin handles this long, complex tale with great skill, both as a historian and as a writer.”—John Steele Gordon, Wall Street Journal

“[A] richly detailed history of industrial American whaling.... Dolin succeeds admirably.”—Bruce Barcott, New York Times Book Review, Editor’s Choice

“Mixes authoritative research with a whale-oil-smooth style that would satisfy Melville and Jonah alike.”—Boston Magazine

“Exotic locations, colorful characters, melodrama and gore aplenty, but also food for thought.”—Debby Applegate, Los Angeles Times

Eric Jay Dolin studied environmental policy and biology at Brown, Yale, and MIT, where he received his PhD. The author of Political Waters, he lives with his wife and children in Marblehead, Massachusetts.

July 2008 / trade paper / ISBN 978-0-393-33157-8
5 1/2" x 8 1/4" / 480 pages / History