I could never write a review about a jens bjernebö book.... He left to the world his masterpieces to read and comprehend and love. A hypersensitive book about brutality. A hymn to human heart.

The first time I read this book was for my own pleasure, and I thought the story was an exciting adventure. The second time I read it was in school when we analyzed it. Then I suddenly saw the allegories this book is packed with. Now this book is one of my favorites and I have read it several times.

A sea adventure worthy of comparison to Conrad and Melville, The Sharks tells the tale of "the last, meaningless, incomprehensible voyage" of the bark Neptune. The novel is set in the year 1899; the issues of diversity, violence, oppression, love, and interdependence presented are familiar concerns for contemporary readers at the end of this century. The narraator is Neptune's second mate Peder Jensen, a sailor who is afraid of the sea and yet can not leave it: "This is my fate and my curse: to love what I hate." The polarity, and ultimate union, of opposites is a theme which runs throughout this allegorical book. A white European, Jensen is in a privileged position as officer aboard a British ship. He gains our sympathy by being aware of his privilege and resisting the role of oppressor. He feels a revulsion toward his sometimes cruel and greedy fellow-officers and is supportive of the crew, "that strange assemblage of folk from every corner and edge of the globe, of every colour and race, denizens of the whole world's docks and ports." As the crew moves toward mutiny, Jensen is caught in the middle of the power struggle betweeen groups. Throughout the book, Bjorneboe acknowledges the inextricable connections between people and the mixture of good and bad in all of us. Jensen learns that he can not truly be as independent as he imagines himself, free of all ties: "One's every act toward another -- help included -- brings obligations and creates fate. One is caught in the net." Love and hate are two sides of the same coin; Jensen reflects that "of course destruction dwells in us all. In each there lives a murderer. But there also dwells a saviour and rescuer in us." The surprising and uplifting ending of the book brings out the best in each of the characters, and leaves the reader with a sense of hope for the uncertain future. Sensitively rendered into English by translator Esther Greenleaf Murer, this book represents a significant contribution to world literature, as well as being "a good read."

Provocative, stimulating, and creative. Captures all the senses lifting the intellegence of an individual to the next level. Definitely an original work that deserves attention. Tired of the mainstream? Then get this book. You will not be disappointed.

I think that many well-known authors have never written as beautifully as Jackson does in 'Shedding Layers of Ocean.' This title is an extremely well-written and thoughtful work.

Although I am new to this author, I think I will follow his work more closely in the future.

Well done, Jackson!

Rob Jackson is a major writer of his generation. His work bursts with inventiveness, and this collection exudes of genuine inspiration that is intensely realized. This is an epic of paranoid obsession that swirls the reader headlong to deposit him on a black mudbank of horror.

To Rob Jackson, all I have to say is "Cheers, keep the words flowing!"

I was given this book as a gift. Now to tell the truth, I don't do well with water. Even thinking about ships makes me queasy. After reading this book I am absolutely hooked and fascinated. I want more stories. I wish the author to keep telling me tales. If there is still time for you to get this book as a gift for anyone on your list, I highly recommend it. Anyone would enjoy this read. And, if by chance you know someone with a Navy history or who already loves the sea, this book is a must. I surely hope there is a sequel. Thanks to the author for much enjoyment.

I really enjoyed the author's unique stories of similar, but extraordinary sea experiences. The unusual tales of over 200 ships are grouped under 20 separate chapters. There are tales of mystery ships, mutinies, animal antics, piracy, phenomena of the unknown and more in these highly readable short stories. I was given this book by a colleague only to find that I am captivated by a world about which I knew nothing.

For those fascinated by the Titantic and other tragedies at sea, this book will be a great read. Not only does Berc write in a conversational manner about many such fatal voyages but he also has chapters on other themes such as mutinies, unusual cargos, ships that disappear, and other strange occurances. You don't have to be a naval history buff to enjoy these fasinating stories that happened to ships at sea. It was simply an enjoyable and well-written book for all ages. And, the author's description of his naval background, itself quite interesting, allows us to glimpse the reason for his obvious passion for the topic.

This is one of the most heart-wrenching books in the series, no longer just action stories but studies in personality. It is intensely personal amidst the usual carnage. It's fascinating to watch Bolitho struggle with his promotion to Commodore and his new, enforced aloofness from shipboard affairs and his officers. Bolitho's typical concern for his crew is now extended to an entire squadron of some 2000 men, their faces no longer known but their fates wracking poor Bolitho. Particularly affecting is his struggle to contend with the failing nerve of his closest friend and protegé, flag captain Herrick, who has been with him from early days. The waters of personality move into the deeps as Bolitho rises in rank and others reach their limits. Bolitho suffers a relapse of the malarial fever at a critical junction in the cruise from Gibralter to Egypt, and rivalries among his subordinates come to the fore. Just another source of the immense tension Kent builds in this novel of the desperate British attempt to fathom Napoleon's intent for his vast Mediterranean fleet buildup. Kent again avoids including Bolitho in one of the great historical fleet actions, this time at Aboukir Bay. While he does give Bolitho a role in directing the French into a weaker position, and does explain the battle's great importance, that climactic battle passes much too remotely and quickly to satisfy.

The suspense in this series is partly the eventual goal and task set to Bolitho and mostly how Bolitho is ever going to solve impossible tactical situations at sea. The usual solution he proposes is a surprise maneuver, but what form will it take this time? Like many of Kent's book titles, "Signal - Close Action!" is a stirring phrase but barely hints at the situations and solutions to be found within. Conversely, his chapter titles too often prefigure the event. As usual it's easy to spot who will be "good" officers and who "bad," so thorough are the differences, but Kent does provide one surprising development. As always, it is absolutely vital to pay closest attention to the sailing directions (wind, tack, etc.) if you want to visualize the sea maneuvers, because Kent won't tell us in lubber's terms. The cover bears an excellent wrap-around picture, "ripped from the living text."

It is with relief that admirers of Richard Bolitho learn that when Bonaparte launched his invasion of Egypt, the dashing sea-officer was not found wanting and was in the thick of efforts to frustrate the future Emperor's knavish tricks. As Mr.Kent tells the story in this splendid addition to the Bolitho Chronicles, the experience was however a far from pleasant one, and though Bolitho deservedly flies his flag at last, he must weather illness, conflict with his old friend Herrick , betrayal by an old colleague and a ferocious battle with a French squadron in the Corfu Channel before he can lay his ship alongside the enemy in the climactic Battle of the Nile. As always the historical and technical details add colour to the story and the faithful reader gets considerable satisfaction from following the fortunes and developing characters of the hero and his colleagues. Those who enjoy this book will also find satisfaction in Brian Lavery's excellent "Nelson and the Nile", which describes the entire 1798 Mediterranean Campaign from both the British and French viewpoints in lively and entertaining prose. One is only disappointed that t omits any mention of Bolitho's pivotal role. One wonders why!

I've yet to read a Richard Bolitho book that I did not thoroughly enjoy. This one is my favorite one so far. It's full of the attention to detail, superb phrasing, and outstanding character description and development that Kent/Reeman's readers have grown accustomed to.

This work is a glittering example of why Bolitho is one of the most well-crafted and developed characters I've read. He is truly a classic hero, and with it is truly human with no trace of the superman tendencies which a lesser writer would use with the resulting lack of believability. Bolitho's foibles and imperfections are used here to great advantage.

The result is that I look forward to setting sail again with Bolitho more than ever. Any admirer of good fiction should be greatly pleased that the entire series is being reprinted and being made available in U.S. editions.

An outstanding historical novel about Marine & Naval aviation early in WWII in South Pacific. One of the finest written on the subject. This book will one day be republished by U.S.Naval Institute Press as a Classic of Naval Literature. The characters are powerful; the story true throughout; the principal action scenes as exciting as one can find; the central thoughts are transcendental -- they are stunning. Warmest congratulations to the Mr. Thoreson on a great work.

Great page-turner! Thoreson does his research in this tremendous book as the juxtoposition of retrospect and reality guides the reader to many worlds, both internal and external. Take the journey...

I have flown commercial all my life but always wondered what it would be like in combat. It is difficult to expose the emotion of life and death experiences in the air. If I could rate the emotion here it would be a 12 on a scale of 10. Yes,I am biased and he is HEAVY but he IS my brother. Read it and enjoy.

This a great book to begin learning of the pride of the USA! It is not only about a ship, but the man who dreamed of building it. Follow the Big U from inception to being mothballed, her taking of the Blue Riband on the maiden voyage, and of how she served her country well. Now she sits on Packer Ave, Philadelphia, looking sad and stripped of her glory. A MUST read book! Next, follow up with an even more descriptive book, "The Big Ship" by Frank Braynard! These are two MUST OWN book!

This is an incrediable book about the adventures of not only the ship herself but also her designers, Gibbs and Cox and her birth place Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock. It does not end there though, it also goes into famous passengers and even the ships last master, Commodore Alexanderson (with a brief history of his maritime life, including his journeys on the SS United States & the SS America.) Recommended reading for any United States Line buff, SS United States or SS America buff, or Ocean Liner enthusiast. The last ocean liner to grab the Hales Trophy lives on in this great book. Long live the S.S. United States.

Excellent detail will put you on board through her final days as the world's fastest and most technologically advanced luxury liner.

Still unanswered: What is next for this great ship?

The story of "Father's Day" is one of persistence, survival and stubborness. Vihlen is a very brave man--Korean fighter jock, airline pilot, and TWO-time, record-setting trans-atlantic sailor in a "miniboat." Very interesting to get into this guy's head during his long ordeal. A good read...not just a trip's diary.

This book was the best read I have had in quite a while. One does not need to be a sailor at all to enjoy this TRUE tale of adventure on the North Atlantic. The "rollercoaster of emotions" was well documented; to such an extent that I would recommend it to anyone! Good Luck in 2002 Hugo!

I am by no means the sailing type, as I wont go into any water unless it is crystal clear and I can see what is swimming around me. So, this book is not just for the ocean savvy! This is a true story of a man who sails the smallest sail boat EVER accross the North Atlantic Ocean. His boat is under 6 feet long. After spending over 2 months at sea, he finally docks in England. This book is the sailors actual journal logs from his long trip.. The emotions go from excited to depressed, to almost hallucianite. This is one of the best books I have ever read, and would highly suggest it to anyone who likes REAL LIFE stories. If anyone knows the author, please have him email me at my address! WOW! What a book!

Mr. Newland pointed out that the book was published in 1975 and that Ultra Large Crude Carriers or ULCCs which is the official industry term for a supertanker, have probably gotten bigger. Indeed he is correct in his assumption. The world's largest ship right now (which also makes it the largest man-made moving object on the planet) is the Jahre Viking weighs a monumental 564,763 deadweight tons; has a length of 458.45 meters (approximately one third of a mile); and is driven by a 37,300 Kilowatt turbine.
Information can be found at ....

As Mr. Newland anticipated, the Jahre Viking was launched in 1976, one year after the book Supership was published. The Jahre Viking was built by Sumitomo Heavy Industries Ltd of Japan and is currently operated by Jahre-Wallem of Norway, one of the largest ship management companies in the world.

It goes without saying that if an accident were to happen to a ship of this size, the environmental consequences would be catastrophic. Of course, since 9-11-2001, the terrorist threat has added another dimension to the dilemma. One would hope that security measures have been re-evaluated, however I am not hopeful. As of this writing today, we here in the USA just saw a 15-year old boy take a small private Cessna aircraft, fly it past one of our most secure military bases -- McDill Air Force Base in Florida -- and crash it into a high-rise building owned by Bank of America. If that is how lax our security is on our own home turf and only three months after 9-11, I shudder to think what the security is like in international waters on the open seas.

I must agree with Mr. Newland that a 2nd edition of this book is needed and perhaps, now more than ever.

I first read Supership in the late 1970's and did not reread it until this year (2001). The second time around made a much deeper impression on me, and I found it to be - for the most part - as riveting and terrifying as a horror novel. I only wish Mostert's tale was fiction.

The book describes the pros and cons of supertankers, which I'm sure have only grown since the behemoths described from 30 years ago. Mostert is no muckraker, and he does humanize the crew in good and appropriate detail (they are individuals; not monsters, not corporate automatons), but the overriding feeling I got in reading the book was dismay and helpless frustration. The impact that these ships, and the oil-consuming culture that we take for granted, has resulted in more ecological devastation than we can know. The mysteries of ocean currents are one thing that make the range of oil spills and leaks impossible to know, but the way the earth depends on the numerous lifeforms in the sea are another. Like Rachel Carson a decade earlier, Mostert is a thinking and balanced environmental reporter, and he knows the sea. I found him to be an excellent writer, using the structure of the Ardshiel's basic Europe-Gulf-Europe round trip to order the book but spinning numerous side stories related to each stage of the trip to cast light on various historical and environmental issues. It held my interest and terrified me at the same time.

The fact that 27 years have passed since its writing seemed like a mixed blessing. On one hand, the earth has survived continued oil spills of huge proportions (the book makes you feel that mankind would not survive the 20th century). On the other hand, the spills and tanker volume have only increased since the early 1970's and who knows how much worse things have gotten.

Supership is a great read and I would hope that a 2nd edition is in the works!

I loved this book. It deals with many things, such as how these ships were built, and why. It also gives these massive vessels a human face, because the author actually trvelled aboard a supertanker, and he gives an exellent account of the voyage, as seen through his eyes, and those of the crew. A person reading this book will find themselves wondering how some shipowners are even allowed to operate at all, or how things have gotten the way they have. He raises many hard questions concerning flags of convenience, the environment, and ship safety. If you are into ships, the sea, or just want a good read, this is well worth getting hold of.

A Review by Amanda

This book is about a young girl, Emmy, who gets the chance to leave a hum-drum life in Lowell, Massachusetts to start a new one in Seattle, Washington. A young man by the name of Asa Mercer came to resettle a bunch of woman in Seattle. On the long trip to Seattle Emmy meats many people. One of the people she met was Ruby who became a good friend of hers. Odd things began to happen on the ship and Mr. Mercer begins to act wired. As time passes the make it to Seattle with many twists and turns along the way.

Three things I liked about this book were the descriptive narration, the love shared between characters, and the surprising things that happened in this long journey. The descriptions made me feel like I was really there in side the book with Emmy. The love and passion that Rod, the New York Times writer, had for each of the girls on the trip. How the auther placed unexpected things to shock the reader to keep the reader engaged in this book.

I think that this book is good for many different people and ages.

The Voyage of the Continental contains all the ingredients of compelling historical fiction -- a fascinating realistic base, mystery, adventure, romance, colorful and eccentric characters -- tied together seamlessly with a fast-paced narrative. The reader is immediately taken with the voice of the main character, Emmy, sympathizes with her predicament, admires her spunk, and roots for her ultimate goal in making her long and arduous journey to the wild and exciting Pacific Northwest. An inspirational tale of female courage.

This was a terrific book - interesting, great blend of history and personal story. I really liked it, but kids over 10 would like it as well - in fact, it would be an outstanding school "assigned reading"book for classes in grades 8 -12. Five stars!