In the Wake of Madness
The Murderous Voyage of the Whaleship Sharon

The story that Joan Druett is writing about is truly one of horror and what man is capable of taken out of his civilized life. Her depiction of the whaling business was eye-opening for me. Of course there is also the story of turning a blind eye. The whale ship Sharon, out of Massachusetts, belonged......more

Part true crime narrative, part social exposé, In the Wake of Madness is also and most prominently a thoroughgoing history of whaling in the mid-nineteenth century. The economics, challenges, and hardships of life aboard a sailing vessel unfolds as author Druett follows the voyage of the whale ship......more

I wanted more maps and diagrams.......more

3.5 Stars Snuck this one in because I needed a fix for something sea faring and this didn't disappoint. A fascinating and sometimes horrible account of Captain Howes Norris who was brutally murdered by some of his crew as he presided over the whaleship Sharon. Loved the details of ship life and the i......more

3.5 stars. Not as good as Island of the Lost, but still an interesting story. At times, a bit slow and over-detailed.......more