The Essex, an American whaleship from Nantucket, Massachusetts, sank after a sperm whale attacked it in the Pacific Ocean in November 1820.

Having lost their ship, the crew of the Essex attempted to sail to South America in whaleboats.

[2] The Daily Telegraph reported on reviews from several publications with a rating scale for the novel out of "Love It", "Pretty Good", "Ok", and "Rubbish": Daily Telegraph, Guardian, Times, Independent, and Sunday Times reviews under "Love It".

[5] The story was adapted into a feature film by director Ron Howard, starring Chris Hemsworth, Ben Whishaw, and Cillian Murphy.

[6] Advertising for the film points out that the historical story inspired the Moby Dick mythology.