Feb 2020: In the Heart of the Sea by Nathaniel Philbrick

Meeting Details:  cancelled (maybe next February?!)

Discussion Questions:

1. Did you enjoy the book?  Why or why not?
2. What did you know about whaling before you read the book? Did that affect your reading of the books?
3. Would Chase have captained the Essex better than Pollard? Explain.
4. In your opinion, why does Pollard choose to take another whaling job after the Essex disaster?
5. Whose account of the disaster do you find more compelling: Chase's or Nickerson's?
6. Do you think whaling is ethical? Why or why not?
7. What do you think happened to Henry De Witt?
8. If you were an Essex survivor, would you have kept sailing, or would you have remained on Henderson Island?
9. Do you find the eyewitness accounts of the Essex disaster to be accurate? Explain your answer.
10. In your opinion, what prompts Nickerson to write his own account of the disaster?
11. Did you watch the movie version?  If so, how did it compare with the book?  What was your favorite part?  What was your least favorite part?
12. Would you recommend this book to others?  Who and why?

Menu Ideas:  "In the Heart of the Sea"

Inspired by the sea and "hearts", let's enjoy an delicious dinner...

- Appetizer like hot crab dip or mini fish taco bites, for example

- Soup or Salad like clam chowder or a fresh green salad,for example

- Side Dish like roasted potatoes or ratatouille, for example

- Dessert like brownies with cinnamon hearts or red velvet cake, for example

Jon & Tessa will take care of the main fish/seafood dish and drinks.