Twelve Days of Terror: A Definitive Investigation of the 1916 New Jersey Shark Attacks

Having recently finished "Close to Shore" - another book about the 1916 New Jersey shark attacks -I was keen to read Richard Fernicola's "Twelve Days of Terror". The respective writing styles are quite different with the former book adopting more of a novelistic approach while the latter offers a detailed scientific analysis of the attacks . For those who are new to the subject the first book will provide an excellent introduction to this extraordinary historical event. If you really want to get all the facts, however, you need to read Dr Fernicola's definitive case study but you should understand that there is alot of very detailed information which could prove to be a bit "Heavy Going" unless you are a serious student of shark research.

For the first time, I have seen in print an exhaustive narritive of the most perplexing mystery of the twentieth century. It is unfathomable to imagine how the pieces to this complex puzzle could have been put together so masterfully. The witness interviews were the most riveting aspect of the book and I dare say they made me feel like I was part of the drama. The book was a cross between Titanic and Perfect storm, but the difference was, every word is apparently true and authentic. I'm getting a stack of the books for Father's Day !

During the summer of 1916 five people were attacked by a shark (or sharks) along the coast of New Jersey's Monmouth and Ocean Counties. Four of those five, including a 12-year old boy, were killed. The fifth victim narrowly escaped the jaws of death, suffering severe wounds to his leg.These freak attacks occured within 12 days of each other during a time in American history when the foremost expers believed that sharks did not possess the necessary strength to break a human bone...Panic and near hysteria followed... Sixty-five years after the attacks, a young college student heard about the attacks during a train ride home for the holidays. The incident of the attacks and the contraversy between the leading shark experts piqued his interest. Curiosity developed into passion and that passion for the answer resulted in twenty years of investigating and a book that is one of the most thoroughly researched accountings I have ever read.Twelve Days of Terror is a novel, a diary, a medical journal, a detective story, and most assuredly the definitive investigation of the New Jersey shark attacks of 1916. The author utilized his medical school training in evaluating the evidence and spent countless hours interviewing eye-witnesses to the tragic events. Unfortunately, those eye-witnesses are now all gone, but for the field notes of the author, their story was doomed never to be told. This book is a MUST for every beach-goer this summer. It will not only intimately acquaint the reader with everything they wanted to know about shark attacks, but it will also provide a rare glimpse into the behind-the-scene politics and social aspects of the early 20th century.

Being a huge shark fan since I was 5,over the years I have done extensive reading and research on many different species and attack senarios,but none can compare to the infamous July of 1916 off the New Jersey coast.The circumstances and vicious nature of these attacks are so bizzare that they are almost unbelievable.But as they say,many times fact is stranger than fiction. This book is easily the best and most factual accounting of these 12 days,and also delves very deeply into shark behavior,attack circumstances,the (not widely accepted) rouge theory,and the the types of shark that are considered the most dangerous to man. A fantasic book for both shark and history buffs alike!! I cannot recommend it highly enough!! Excellent!!

I was always interested in the story of a Great White Shark attack along the Jersey Shore. It is mentioned in all the shark books, referenced in Jaws, and shown on the Discovery channel. It is a story I have always been interested but could never find any whole books about. And what did I see in the book store??? Not one but TWO books on the subject.So now the the question was which one to buy. I read parts of both and quickly discovered that Dr. Fernicola clearly seemed to know more about sharks and the subject. Not to knock the other book, but Fernicola's book shows a deeper knowledge of sharks and the incident of 1916.Needless to say, it only took 3 days to read this entire book. It is so interesting. He does a great job describing the times and historical background. He does a great job telling about the attacks. He does a great job discussing sharks and theories about sharks.The book is well written. It has great information on the 1916 attacks and the times they took place in. It is also a great lesson on sharks in general.I have family on the Jersey shore and it amazes me that this could take place there. Plus in a creek miles from the ocean...YIKES!This was a book I read cover to cover and immmediatly passed on to friends.Anyone who likes sharks, shark week on TV, or JAWS will love this book.