Moby-Dick: A Library of America Paperback Classic

By Herman Melville

Book Overview

A work tantalizingly subversive, and yet somehow if not affirming at least forgiving of the blind destructiveness of human nature and of nature itself.
-Elizabeth Hardwick

Moby-Dick is one of the great epics of all literature. Captain Ahab's hunt for the white whale drives the narrative at a relentless pace, while Ishmael's mediations on whales and whaling, on the sublime indifference of nature, and on the grimy details of the extraction of oil provide a reflective counterpoint to the headlong idolatrous quest. Sometimes read as a terrifying study of monomania or a critical inquiry into the sinister effects of reducing life to symbols, Moby-Dick also offers colorful and often comic glimpses of sea-faring life.
For almost thirty years, The Library of America has presented America's best and most significant writing in acclaimed hardcover editions. Now, a new series, Library of America Paperback Classics, offers attractive and affordable books that bring The Library of America's authoritative texts within easy reach of every reader. Each book features an introductory essay by one of a leading writer, as well as a detailed chronology of the author's life and career, an essay on the choice and history of the text, and notes.
The contents of this Paperback Classic are drawn from Herman Melville: Redburn, White-Jacket, Moby-Dick, volume number 9 in the Library of America series. It is joined in the series by two companion volumes, and together they present Melville's complete fiction.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1598530852
• ISBN13: 9781598530858
• Release Date: August 2010
• Publisher: Library of America
• Length: 672 Pages
• Weight: 1.47 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 5.2" x 7.9"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Beware! Adapted Version!

I ordered a book and nowhere in the description did it say this was an adaptation for younger kids to read.

Listing did not mention it was an adapted version for kids

The cover image was too small and blurry to see the small print at the bottom that it was adapted. Nowhere in this listing did it mention that it was not the original version. Avoid the teal cover with white whale if you want the original!

I felt like I was aboard the ship! So good!

The characters came alive even the whale(s) seemed real. And the large print really helped me enjoy the story.

Wrong book sent I ordered Moby Dick illustrated by Rockwell Kent at 70.99 sent modern library versio

see title

Underwhelming

I honestly thought this was going to be a good book, but it was extremely underwhelming. The overall premise was not good, and there was constant reference to different whale species, that overshadowed the storyline.

This is a children's book

Hey, you guys are usually so good so this was so disappointing. This is an illustrated children's book.

moby dick, or: capatilism and the death of the american dream

you know those books that everyone and their mother is saying 'you got to read this, it's so good, it's a classic'? the ones that make you dig in your heels to try and avoid it? this is one of those. the reason things are considered classics might be because on the surface level they work but go deeper and it's about whatever you can make of it. hence my review title, it's a good book despite being called 'a classic'

Moby Diick loved this book.

I learned so much about the Spermiscelli Whale and Captain Ahab, the long lost hours alone on the decks of the Whaling Vessels. My daughter bought this book for me for my birthday August 6, 1953.

The Great American Epic!

One of the greatest novels ever written. A story with more to tell than any review can do justice. Read, and become immersed in the hunt for the Great White Whale!

Good book but beware it’s not the children’s version.

It gets a little long winded at times but it’s good

Love it!!!

I love the cover so much and the quality for the price is amazing. The only thing I didn’t like was for some reason the top of the pages were orange. I still absolutely love it though :)

Whaling Classic with Modern Implications

Herman Melville, the author, shares many witty and serious insights about life and the foibles of human actions and beliefs in Moby Dick. It is not just about whaling, but a commentary in general about humanity. The description of whaling processes give the reader an insight into not only the methods of whaling, but the cruelty and savagery of killing such beautiful creatures. Even a person such as myself, who is against any whaling in this day and age, can appreciate Melville's commentary about whales, their personalities, their rights as fellow creatures to live on this planet!

Great fishing tales

Better than Babe Winkleman. This guy knows how to write about a fishing trip. SPOILER ALERT!!: Kinda thought he would have landed that big one in the end...

I May Be Biased But...

Readers say it's far too long, the cetacean history is tedious, who the heck cares how to best prep a harpoon line? Well if you're one of those folks who likes a good harpoon-prep scene, you're in for a treat. If not, you might learn something, and, failing that, the singular dexterity with which the author lays the words on the page will not only awe you but carry you into the very whale boat. You will feel in your guts the rush of the sleigh ride, you will breathe the sea air and taste the mist, you will feel the salt hardening on your hands and face. Don't like any of that? Unless there's no place you'd rather be than your rocker, this is escapism as good as it comes. And don't even get me started on timeless themes, unforgettable characters and a plot as fine as they come....

Worth the effort

Yes this is not for the faint of heart...tough sledding at times but the reward of allowing Melville's poetry to seep into your soul makes it well worth it. I read this in my 20's and didn't get it. Reading it again 20 years later I found the prose to be less dense and the story stands on it's own as one of the greatest. Forget the symbolism and enjoy the ride.

Well rounded but a little intense

The book has to be good to be considerd a litterary classic. Melvilles book about the obssesive Ahab, the Harpooner Quequay, the former teacher Ishimial and the White Whale is an excelent read but it may be too intense for younger readers. The hellish obssesion of Ahab may be a bit to much for some children. With all of that being said I do think that everyone at some time must read this it is a work of art.