"Call Me Ishmael" (a later look).

Call Me Ishmael

THIS POST WAS ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN DECEMBER OF 2012; IT HAS BEEN EXPANDED AND UPDATED AS OF NOVEMBER, 2015.

---

Most readers recognize these words as the opening sentence in the classic American novel, Moby Dick, by Herman Melville. Unfortunately, too many readers recall little about that novel beyond its being the tragic tale of an obsessed whaleboat captain and a white sperm whale.

In 2011, historian and writer Nathaniel Philbrick issued a small challenge under the title, Why Read Moby Dick? Why, indeed.

As New York Times' reviewer Kathryn Harrison wrote, "Philbrick has undertaken a hard sell because the classic novel is overexposed. Who doesn't know the story of Captain Ahab and the white whale?"

In Harrison's words, Melville's 1851 novel "would appear to be one of those unfortunate books that are taught rather than enjoyed."

Philbrick argues there is much to be enjoyed and learned from Melville's writing that will contribute mightily to our understanding of America. It constitutes, Philbrick claims, "our American Bible," and he urges us to actually read the classic tale.

In this, he is like an evangelical preacher urging his faithful bible-believing congregants to actually read their holy text.

In addition to re-reading Moby Dick, I have read Philbrick's 2001 National Book Award-winning tale of the incidents that triggered Melville's imagination and his classic story: In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex.

I recommend to all who feel more comfortable with visual learning, the PBS video: "Into the Deep: America, Whaling, and the World."

Available on YouTube at: Into the deep

Note: the YouTube program runs close to one hour and this version is not the authorized PBS film and therefore shows some lapses, silences, etc. PBS sells the DVD of the program, and does at various times broadcast it as part of the "American Experience" series. A visit to the PBS website provides an educational potpourri: -- PBS

In December of 2015, the film adaptation of Philbrick's book will be released as "In the Heart of the Sea," directed by Ron Howard, and starring Australian actor Chris Hemsworth, familiar to moviegoers for his role in the 2009 reprise of "Star Trek," and even more well known to younger moviegoers as the star of 2011's "Thor," and in the same role in "The Avengers" of 2012.

Early reviewers of the "In the Heart of the Sea" film seem lukewarm; the PBS version may be better.

Philbrick's book is well worth a read (actually, both of his books mentioned above), and best of all would be returning to Melville and reading or re-reading "our American Bible."

For a truly educational experience in that regard, try reading the novel at Power Moby Dick, the online annotated edition.