How to Read Moby Dick

 

The Moby Store

The links, unless otherwise noted, take you to outside web sites, such as Amazon.com, DiscoveryChannel.com, HistoryChannel.com, LibriVox.org, and the University of Virginia. Each of them has been around for a long time and offer secure online downloading and/or ordering.

Books

eText. Free. Project Gutenberg or University of Virginia.
Download a free copy of Moby Dick from either of these sites.
Read on your computer or print-out. Look at both of them to see which format you prefer.

Audio Book. Free. LibriVox.org.
Look for and click on "Zip file of the entire book." Some readers just listen, then make notes. Other readers prefer to listen as they follow along in the text. This free version has introductory comments before each chapter, which may be disconcerting.

Audio Book. Audible.com. For a nominal cost, you can download an uninterrupted, professional reading of the novel onto your computer, a cd, or your mp3 player. Frank Muller's reading recommended.

Print Book. Moby-Dick (Dover Giant Thrift Editions). Amazon.com. A paperback edition. $5.00.
Many other editions are available in all price ranges, but get a copy that your are willing to mark. Look for illustrated editions, editions with larger print, hardback editions.

eBook. Moby Dick by Herman Melville. Amazon.com. Immediate File Download. Download a complete copy to your iPhone, iPod, or Kindle.
Get the iPhone/iPod app here.

Videos for Pre-reading

Moby Dick: True Story [VHS] Produced for the DiscoveryChannel.com in  2002 . The video is no longer on the Discovery web site, but Amazon sells it. I cannot find a DVD copy. You might also check your local library for a copy. Before beginning Moby, watch this video, first, then the one produced for the HistoryChannel.com, listed below. Some of the information overlaps, but most does not.

Essex: True Story of Moby Dick [VHS] Produced for the HistoryChannel.com, History's Mysteries, in 2001 . I am unable to find a DVD copy. Also,check your local library for a copy.

Shipwreck of the Whaleship "Essex" by Owen Chase. This is a book, but it  is more appropriately listed here. This is a reproduction of the report by the first mate of the Essex--if you want more after seeing the videos.

Gift Items for Motivation or Congratulation