The best of the novels is Moby-Dick in this collection of these three novels dealing with the sea. 2.5 stars for Redburn; 3.25 stars for White-Jacket; and 4.8 stars for Moby-Dick.

Amazing. A must read for everyone. A book I plan to re-read soon.

For a book I wasn't expecting to like (required reading in high school English), I loved Melville's symbolism throughout. He had me from the opening pages, where Ishmael talks about needing to take to the sea.

Moby-Dick is the greatest novel ever written, in my opinion. Redburn and White Jacket are great books, as well. You can see why this was one of the earliest Library of America volumes published.

been trying to read this since i was in the 4th grade but i could never get into it.

This book is EXTREMELY extraordinary. You must be prepared to peruse it and comprehend it and apply it. This is my first time through yet should experience it ordinarily to truly apply the greater part of the brilliant chunks.

Herman Melville is stunning.

I am amazed to realize how many issues where happening with the characters in te book. Once, I beging to deconstruct this book and its issues, I realize that Melville was concern with many social and cultural issues that shape the characters and his plot. Great book!

writing just one of these books would make Melville one of my favourite writers. Having written all three, my heart is his. Redburn and White-Jacket don't get mentioned very often I find, but of the two I'd say I prefer Redburn, but that Wihte-jacket is generally the stronger book. Moby-Dick is Moby-Dick, what more can you say about the greatest book ever written.

Lisa Simpson: "You can't take revenge on an animal. That's the point of Moby - Dick!"

Homer Simpson: "The point of Moby - Dick is to be yourself!"

- The Simpons (Episode Title: The Fat and The Furriest)

Fb

Although this is a Library of America edition with THREE novels, this review is only on one: Moby-Dick.

I'm speechless. OK, maybe a few words. At first I gave this book four stars, but then I looked at other books I'd given five stars to and said, "Who am I kidding? No way is that in a league with the Whale." I wanted to chip a star for some of the excess, the stuffed in chapters, the lengthy and in some cases unnecessary asides, but then I slept on it (ouch) and decided I'm using my 21st-century prejudices against a guy operating in the 19th century and that's just not fair.

What's to like here is some poetry-studded narrative. Lots of it. And Biblical slash Shakespearean moments galore. The sea is to Capt. Ahab as the heath is to King Lear. And, in the dramatic ending, more than once I heard Ahab addressed as "Oh Captain, my captain!" which made me wonder if this preceded Whitman or not. I'm guessing or not and that it's a nod to Walt.

I learned a lot about whaling, not much of it pleasant. But it was a great way to deliver information. And I loved all the little extras, the hints of mystery, like how dying whales, tethered to the ship, will turn to the sun and then, when they die, drift so their noses face the opposite direction. It's as if they are beautiful pagans like Queequeg, not facing Mecca but a more primal source, the god of fire. And Melville sees the irony in it, too -- the king of dark, watery vaults worshiping the great hearth of airy fire. Yeah. You can't just make stuff like that up. You've got to pause your reading, reread it, and say, "Wow" (or whatever they say in your neck of the woods).

Melville is, if nothing else, versatile. He can write an action scene. He can bring to life with a few words a wide array of characters. And he can philosophize in a leviathan way. Big. Yes, I think he was rooting for the Whale, but a part of him loved Ahab, too. A part of him was amazed not just at the hubris but at the dogged determination and blind courage man is capable of.

All in all, I'm glad I darned that hole in my reading résumé. Now I can die, meaning this is the literary equivalent of seeing Naples. :-)

classic tale of an epic adventure,you don't want to miss. This is one to buy and keep handy on your shelf.