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Close to Shore

The Terrifying Shark Attacks of 1916

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Close to Shore

By: Michael Capuzzo
Narrated by: Len Cariou
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About this listen

 Combining rich historical detail and a harrowing, pulse-pounding narrative, Close to Shore brilliantly re-creates the summer of 1916, when a rogue Great White shark attacked swimmers along the New Jersey shore, triggering mass hysteria and launching the most extensive shark hunt in history.

During the summer before the United States entered World War I, when ocean swimming was just becoming popular and luxurious Jersey Shore resorts were thriving as a chic playland for an opulent yet still innocent era's new leisure class, Americans were abruptly introduced to the terror of sharks. In July 1916 a lone Great White left its usual deep-ocean habitat and headed in the direction of the New Jersey shoreline. There, near the towns of Beach Haven and Spring Lake-and, incredibly, a farming community eleven miles inland - the most ferocious and unpredictable of predators began a deadly rampage: the first shark attacks on swimmers in U.S. history. For Americans celebrating an astoundingly prosperous epoch much like our own, fueled by the wizardry of revolutionary inventions, the arrival of this violent predator symbolized the limits of mankind's power against nature.

Scrupulously researched and superbly written, Close to Shore brings to life a breathtaking, pivotal moment in American history. Masterfully written and suffused with fascinating period detail and insights into the science and behavior of sharks, Close to Shore recounts a breathtaking, pivotal moment in American history with startling immediacy.

©2001 Michael Capuzzo (P)2001 Random House, Inc., Bantam Doubleday Dell Audio Publishing, A Divison of Random House, Inc. Animals Biological Sciences Military Outdoors & Nature Science American History Summer

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Critic reviews

"[This] book's strength lies in its lively reconstruction of that age and its consciousness...just may be the hot read on the beach this summer." ( Publishers Weekly)
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I came to this book because the subject matter struck me as interesting. I was not disappointed, I learnt about the attacks and the great white shark which I will henceforth refer to as Carcharodon Carcharias. I felt there was some filler in the form of Victorian era America society but was entertained enough to hardly notice. Great book.

Good for fans of Jaws

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very interesting listen, couldn't stop! wished it was a little longer. thank you! Will recommend 😊

interesting listen!

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Had never heard of this book before but its a gem. The accounts of the attacks would probably only take up chapter or two but this book is well fleshed out with interesting and thorough contextual research that really paints a great picture of the events. Really enjoyed it.

Great Account of NJ Shark Attacks

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