The Perfect Storm
by Sebastian Junger
List Price: $14.00
Pages: 240
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 006101351X
Publisher: HarperCollins
With its nail-biting suspense and nonstop action, The Perfect Storm has
the makings of a superb thriller. But this story of a once-in-a-century
meteorological occurrence, the lives it changed, and the lives it claimed is
achingly real. Sebastian Junger's account of the fate of a group of
swordfishermen battling a storm off the Newfoundland coast opens a door
into the world of commercial fishing, historically among the most dangerous
of occupations. Junger reveals how a finite supply of fish forces boats
farther out to sea, and in increasingly hazardous conditions. He explains the
unique set of circumstances that led to a storm of unpredictable strength
and how even the most advanced technology cannot warn or prepare us for
the whims of nature. And he shows us the sea in all its power: the gray
horizon at dawn; the maelstrom of wind, water, and rain that make up a
nor'easter; and the precise structure of a tidal wave the size of an office
building as it curves and falls, playing havoc with any ship that dares to
cross its path.
For some the life of a fisherman is a necessity; for others a necessary
challenge. Junger profiles with compassion and empathy the people whose
lives intersected with that incredible storm: those lucky enough to dodge it,
those who fought it and won, and those who disappeared. The crew of the
Andrea Gail left no message in a bottle, no clues about their final thoughts
and actions. But Junger's careful piecing together of similar experiences,
and his vivid depictions of a storm the likes of which had never before been
witnessed, place us in the moment and in the hearts and minds of these
doomed men. We know the fate of the Andrea Gail's crew before we turn the
first page, and yet we find ourselves hoping they'll survive. Such is the power
of Junger's account--and we find that fact is often more incredible, more
thrilling, and more affecting than fiction.
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1. Throughout the book, Junger writes of complicated and risky rescue
missions in which the danger to the victims is weighed against the danger
to those charged with rescuing them. How do you make a decision to go
ahead with an "increased risk" mission that also imperils the lives of the
rescuers? What are the issues surrounding rescuing those who knowingly
venture out into risky situations?
2. What did Junger's profile of the Gloucester fishing community teach you
about the commercial aspects of this field? Do you think there should be
more or fewer restrictions on commercial fishing? Is it up to the government
to regulate these methods?
3. What qualities does it take to be a sword fisherman? How would you
characterize such people as Bobby Shatford, Billy Tyne, and other members
of the Andrea Gail crew? How many of these men embarked on this voyage
by choice, as opposed to obligation? Does this distinction affect the way you
feel about their fate?
4. Instead of "fictionalizing" the parts of his book about which he had no
first-hand information or knowledge, Junger made use of accounts from
people who had been in similar situations to those he was writing about.
How effective is this "second source" material? Does it make the last
moments of the Andrea Gail's crew--and others who perished in the
storm--more or less real to you? Would you have preferred that Junger
create imagined scenarios to fill in the gaps in his story?
5. Did knowing the fate of the Andrea Gail affect your reaction to The Perfect
Storm? Had the book been a novel, how do you think the author would
have approached the story differently? Did any parts of the book seem like
fiction to you?
6. Originally, Sebastian Junger wrote the account of the Andrea Gail as a
chapter to be included in a book about hazardous occupations. How
differently do you think people who risk their lives "on the job" approach life
from those in relatively safe occupations? How does facing death change
the way you face life? If you have ever been in a life-threatening situation,
how did it change you, either temporarily or permanently?
7. Have the technological advances of the last century made us any more
powerful against the forces of nature? Do you think we have developed a
false sense of security when faced with the possibility of storms or other
natural disasters such as earthquakes, avalanches, or forest fires? Do you
think the crew of the Andrea Gail and other boats caught in the storm relied
too much on their navigational equipment and not enough on common
sense?
8. In recent years, books about real-life adventure have become bestsellers
and "extreme" sports are the hottest recreational trend. How do you explain
our increasing fascination with dangers of all sorts? What's happening
culturally, socially, and economically in our country--and in the world--to
compel us to take enormous, often death-defying risks?
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