A Narrative of the Most Extraordinary and Shocking Shipwreck of the Essex Whaler, of Nantucket; Being Attacked and Finally Destroyed by a Great Sperm Whale in the Pacific Ocean; with an Account of the Captain's Unsurpassed Sufferings, by Owen Chase is a fascinating account of the incredible event and survival in in the most poetic form. Describing the real events of the great ship disaster and the extraordinary suffering that accompanied the crew, Chase is able to capture the imagination of the reader with his mastery of words and the ability to convey every detail of this extraordinary life drama. The book not only tells about physical trials, but also allows a deeper understanding of the psychological state of people who find themselves in a completely exceptional situation. This is a masterpiece of maritime literature that remains important and relevant even today.