Away Off Shore

Nantucket Island and Its People, 1602-1890

By: Nathaniel Philbrick

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Length: 8 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's summary

A book about a tiny island with a huge history, from New York Times best-selling author of the book Valiant Ambition (May 2016)

"For everyone who loves Nantucket Island this is the indispensable book." (Russell Baker)

In his first book of history, Away Off Shore, New York Times best-selling author Nathaniel Philbrick reveals the people and the stories behind what was once the whaling capital of the world. Beyond its charm, quaint local traditions, and whaling yarns, Philbrick explores the origins of Nantucket in this comprehensive history. From the English settlers who thought they were purchasing a "Native American ghost town" but actually found a fully realized society, through the rise and fall of the then thriving whaling industry, the story of Nantucket is a truly unique chapter of American history.

With a preface read by the author

©2011 Nathaniel Philbrick (P)2017 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"Nathaniel Philbrick has written a gem of a book. Away Off Shore is meticulously detailed, filled with fine anecdotes, and a fascinating look at a fascinating place." (H. G. Bissinger, author of Friday Night Lights)

"Away Off Shore doesn’t recount more of the same heroic stories we’ve all heard about early Nantucketers.... Instead the author gives us - finally - a human story of real Nantucketers whose actions reflect the times and the hardships they endured trying to make a life on this island centuries ago." (Nantucket Inquirer and Mirror)

Entertaining history of Nantucket

The book is an overview of the whaling industry on Nantucket. It also discusses the Quaker religion and the development of the island’s government. The narration is clear. Anyone interested in the author or Nantucket, where he lives, should listen to this book.

Philbrick is a God!

This book marks the official end of my Nathaniel Philbrick journey. I have officially read or listened to everything he has ever written. As Massachusetts native, I find it very easy to connect to much of his work; this is no exception. The man has a way of drawing you into the story, like very few other authors can do.

As a history lover and a local, this title was Devine, I was already familiar with the subject matter, having spent time on the islands myself, but I really appreciate the depth of the characters (are they characters if they were real?) and the ability to truly understand the history of Nantucket from the people who lived there in it's heyday!

I did read them out of order, so I'm a little sad that I don't know what's next, having already read his latest release.

Philbrick fans will love this one!

I’m a longtime fan of Nathaniel Philbrick and had read every one of his books except this one. As a Nantucket lover, I very much enjoyed this look at its heyday and some of its founding citizens.

There once were some (wo)men in Nantucket...

This book on the island of Nantucket
With chapters all made to half-share it.
Philbrick penned bios real fast,
'bout Pokanokets & the Quaker caste,
"I'll either be Egan's peon, or I'll lay it."

I've been a fan of Nantucket for years. Remotely. The last couple years I've been out a couple times to the Whale Museum, etc., and biking with my family East along Polpis Rd to the Sankaty Head Light and back to the Straight Warf along Milestone Rd. I've not yet bought those funky Nantucket Red shorts, but that is only a temporary limitation. My interest was first kindled by Moby-Dick, and later by Philbrick's book about the Whaleship Essex (that inspired Moby-Dick). I've grown to enjoy Philbrick's style as a popular biographer, so figured I might as well read this early book about an Island I love and a people who are fascinating to me.

This was Philbrick's first book, and as the title basically suggests, it is about the island (and mostly people) of Nantucket. Written as a series of biographical essays of important historical figures, this approach allows Philbrick to explore the character and people of Nantucket through selected examples through time. This approach leaves many gaps, but for a subject like Nantucket, there will always be gaps and myths to contend with.

Some of those Philbrick covers in this book:

1. Mashop, Roqua, Wonoma, Autopscot
2. Thomas Macy
3. Tristram Coffin
4. King Philip, JOhn Gibbs, Peter Folger
5. James Coffin, John Gardner
6. Ichabod Paddock
7. Mary Starbuck
8. Richard Macy
9. Timothy White
10. Peter Folger
11. Kezia Coffin
12. Jethro Coffin & William Rotch
13. William Coffin
14. Obed Starbuck & George Pollard
15. Absalom Boston & Abram Quary
16. Maria Mitchell
17. FC Sanford