Twelve Days of Terror

Inside the Shocking 1916 New Jersey Shark Attacks

By: Richard G. Fernicola MD

Narrated by: Jonathan Yen

Upon the 100th anniversary of the most terrifying stretch of shark attacks in American history - a wave said to have been the inspiration for Jaws - comes a reissue of the classic Lyons Press account and investigation.

In July 1916, a time when World War I loomed over America and New York City was in the midst of a deadly polio epidemic, the tri-state area sought relief at the Jersey shore. The Atlantic's refreshing waters proved to be utterly inhospitable, however. In just 12 days, four swimmers were violently and fatally mauled in separate shark attacks, and a fifth swimmer escaped an attack within inches of his life. In this thoroughly researched account, Dr. Richard Fernicola, the leading expert on the attacks, presents a riveting portrait, investigation, and scientific analysis of the terrifying days against the colorful backdrop of America in 1916 in Twelve Days of Terror.

©2016 Richard G. Fernicola (P)2020 Tantor

Devil is in the Details

This book brought out my imagination. Every shark incident painted a picture for me to visualize which made it more interesting. I really enjoyed the latter part of this book as it explains a more modern look at the evidence and circumstances to figure out what really happened. This true story took place over a hundred years ago when no human really had any experience with sharks. Thus making their eye witness accounts most likely a bit dramatized or embellished and the "scientific" reports mostly erroneous. Scientist did not enter the water to study sharks, so what they "knew" was based on dead sharks and eye witness reports. Splash in some imagination and that would be their scientific findings.
Having the modern look recounting the incidents gives a better perspective, especially with how far we have come in understanding these beautiful, majestic and completely misunderstood animals. I truly hope that we soon find a way to stop the slaughter of sharks. If they all die, science is now showing us that our ocean will die and humans along with it.

Excellent

Excellent all these years later to understand how things really happened. The interviews and history of the Captain and crew is a good reminder that freedom is not free. My fascination with sharks and sealife led me to this novel but I found the true story more interesting. This has encouraged me to have a long talk with my Dad about his experiences in Vietnam so that history he lived won't be lost.

very nicely done.

Out of all the documentaries and books about this, this book is the best!

At long last

I have been waiting years for this audiobook. Fernicola definitely does a great job with research and analysis that is truly fascinating. Definitely recommend to anyone interested in a in depth analysis of the 1916 events. I strongly recommend pairing this with Michael Capuzzo’s “Close to Shore.”

Thoroughly researched but…

The author seems to be quite enamored of his subject and has thoroughly researched the available evidence. However a lot of the conclusions are purely conjectural. Still a historical context was interesting.