An Unofficial 'The MeatEater Podcast' Reading List

Nathaniel Philbrick

1 book referenced

Books by Nathaniel Philbrick

In the Heart of the Sea

Referenced in 5 episodes

Ep. 790: The Sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald

November 10, 2025

Context:

Third book mentioned in Hampton Sides' blurb as comparable to 'The Gales of November' in terms of being a great shipwreck narrative.

Ep. 298: Cooking Captain Cook

November 08, 2021

Context:

Referenced in discussion of cannibalism survival stories. Hampton Sides mentions the book's story of the tragic whaleship Essex, including an anecdote about a survivor being asked if he knew someone and responding 'No, I ate him.'

Ep. 208: Dr. Justin Schmidt on Why It Hurts So Bad

February 17, 2020

Context:

Steve asks Dr. Schmidt 'Have you read a book, uh, in the Heart of the Sea' and describes it as 'a book about the whale ship Essex.' He discusses the book's content, mentioning how whalers would stock tortoises by flipping them on their backs in the ship's hold, keeping them alive for months. He praises the book saying 'it's a great book' but warns 'The movie, man, do not waste your time.' He also quotes his favorite line from the book about cannibalism among the survivors.

Ep. 197: Eating Folks in the Arctic

December 02, 2019

Context:

Referenced when discussing cannibalism during the Greeley expedition. The book contains a memorable line about the whaleship Essex tragedy where someone says about a crew member: 'Know him? I ate him.'

Ep 138: The Life and Times of a Squirrel Man

October 15, 2018

Context:

Referenced during a discussion about dispatching large fish in boats. One speaker asks 'Have you ever read that book in the Heart of the Sea' in the context of discussing difficult situations, specifically comparing it to 'castaways drawing lots.'