Close to Shore
Encyclopedia
Close to Shore: A True Story of Terror in an Age of Innocence is a non-fiction book
by journalist
Michael Capuzzo
about the Jersey Shore shark attacks of 1916
. The book was published in 2001 by Broadway Books
. Capuzzo argues that the five victims were attacked by a great white shark
, though others believe that the attacker was a bull shark
.
According to the afterword, Capuzzo spent two years researching not only the shark attacks but also the time period so he could gain a better understanding of the lives of the Victorians affected by the attacks. In addition to research in newspapers and contemporary journals and letters, Capuzzo visited the sites and together with George Burgess tested the waters of Matawan Creek to see if it was possible that a great white shark entered.
The book goes into great detail about the people involved and their lives and motivations, as well as recounting the grisly facts of each of the attacks.
Non-fiction
Non-fiction is the form of any narrative, account, or other communicative work whose assertions and descriptions are understood to be fact...
by journalist
Journalist
A journalist collects and distributes news and other information. A journalist's work is referred to as journalism.A reporter is a type of journalist who researchs, writes, and reports on information to be presented in mass media, including print media , electronic media , and digital media A...
Michael Capuzzo
Michael Capuzzo
Michael Capuzzo is an American journalist and author best-known for his nonfiction book Close to Shore , a historical thriller about the first shark attacks in American history, in Edwardian-era New Jersey, that were an inspiration for the book and movie Jaws...
about the Jersey Shore shark attacks of 1916
Jersey Shore Shark Attacks of 1916
The Jersey Shore shark attacks of 1916 were a series of shark attacks along the coast of New Jersey between July 1 and July 12, 1916, in which four people were killed and one injured. Since 1916, scholars have debated which shark species was responsible and the number of animals involved, with the...
. The book was published in 2001 by Broadway Books
Broadway Books
Broadway Books, an imprint of the Crown Publishing Group, a Division of Random House, Inc., released its first list in Fall, 1996. Broadway Books has since published many New York Times bestsellers in hardcover and paperback, including Elizabeth Edwards’ memoir Resilience, Bill O’Reilly’s memoir A...
. Capuzzo argues that the five victims were attacked by a great white shark
Great white shark
The great white shark, scientific name Carcharodon carcharias, also known as the great white, white pointer, white shark, or white death, is a large lamniform shark found in coastal surface waters in all major oceans. It is known for its size, with the largest individuals known to have approached...
, though others believe that the attacker was a bull shark
Bull shark
The bull shark, Carcharhinus leucas, also known as Zambezi shark or unofficially known as Zambi in Africa and Nicaragua shark in Nicaragua, is a shark common worldwide in warm, shallow waters along coasts and in rivers...
.
According to the afterword, Capuzzo spent two years researching not only the shark attacks but also the time period so he could gain a better understanding of the lives of the Victorians affected by the attacks. In addition to research in newspapers and contemporary journals and letters, Capuzzo visited the sites and together with George Burgess tested the waters of Matawan Creek to see if it was possible that a great white shark entered.
The book goes into great detail about the people involved and their lives and motivations, as well as recounting the grisly facts of each of the attacks.
External links
- Close to Shore homepage at RandomHouse.com.