Twelve Days of Terror: Inside the Shocking 1916 New Jersey Shark Attacks [Paperback]

Natural history, animal behavior, American history, and pure detective work. The research and sourcing are monumental...makes a fine summer beach read. -- Chicago Tribune Twelve Days of Terror is better (than Close to the Shore) at conveying the historical context framing the (shark) attacks. Fernicola is (also) better with the attacks in Matawan Creek.--Baltimore SunHas the edge over Close to Shore by being better-sourced and packed with photographs, diagrams, newspaper clippings, and death certificates. -- Boston GlobeBlood in the water, terror on the shore. What could make for a better beach book?USA TodayImmersed in the details of these attacks, but . . . also move[s] to the shore to reconstruct the culture of fear that swelled up in pre-war America.Christian Science MonitorPacked with photographs, diagrams, newspaper clippings, and death certificates.Boston GlobeTruly chilling without being sensational.Library JournalUpon 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 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 Atlantics refreshing waters proved to be utterly inhospitable, however. In just twelve 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.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 tló¹