A review by xxstefaniereadsxx
Close to Shore: The Terrifying Shark Attacks of 1916 by Michael Capuzzo

informative medium-paced

3.0

 Between July 1 and July 12, 1916, there were a series of shark attacks along the New Jersey coastline. The first attack occurred in Beach Haven, and the beaches remained open after that attack. There were several reports of large sharks made by ship captains, but apparently were not taken seriously. The next attack occurred north of Beach Haven in Spring Lake. The third and fourth attacks were in Matawan Creek, where a captain had reported an 8 foot long shark, but was dismissed. The last attack occurred a half hour after the previous two attacks in the same area. Only one of the five victims survived. Of course, the media tried to downplay the danger to beach patrons, as this was going on during a heat wave and polio epidemic. People were looking for relief from the heat and from the worries of illness. Of course, after the subsequent attacks, the media began actually reporting there was danger, causing people to avoid beaches. There were several sharks caught in the wake of the attacks, including a blue shark. a sandbar shark, and a great white shark. It is also suggested that a bull shark could have been responsible.

This book was pretty interesting. I love the ocean, and I am aware that sharks are out there and some do attack people. Oddly, I am less terrified of the possibility of a shark attack that seeing a whale. I am absolutely terrified of whales, as illogical that is. I did think that it was interesting that this is what the book and movie about Jaws was based on. I didn't realize it was based on an actual historical event. The book was well researched, and the story flow made it easy to stay interested in. I would recommend this book for people interested in disaster or crisis books, as well as those who are fans of the Jaws franchise.