The Book of Quint

1,100 men went into the water, and only 316 of 1,195 crew survived the sinking of the USS Indianapolis in the Second World War. Author and host of the podcast 'The Jaws Obsession' Ryan Dacko has written a prequel novel that tells the story of Quint, the grizzled shark hunter, and his quest for justice. The novel expands the Jaws universe and adds crucial backstory that enhances the experience of watching the movie.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 424 pages
Publication date: 15 November 2023
Publisher: Amberley Publishing

1,100 men went into the water…

So begins the critically acclaimed and haunting monologue by actor Robert Shaw as grizzled shark hunter Quint in the movie Jaws, in which he describes his experience as a survivor of the sinking of the USS Indianapolis in the dying days of the Second World War. The Indianapolis was returning from delivering the first atomic bomb to Tinian, and on its way to the Philippines, when a Japanese submarine hit it with two torpedoes. The ship sank in twelve minutes, leaving hundreds of crew floating in the ocean with hardly any food, water, or lifeboats. During the next five days, most died from a combination of exposure, salt poisoning, dehydration, and the worst mass shark attacks in recorded history. Only 316 of 1,195 crew survived. This historic event provides the motivation for Quint's iconic character in Jaws.

As we approach the fiftieth anniversary of Jaws, the first summer blockbuster, author and host of the podcast 'The Jaws Obsession' Ryan Dacko has written the definitive prequel novel to the movie, telling the story of Quint. Beginning with him adrift in the Philippine Sea after the sinking, and after the end of the war following him first to San Francisco and then to Amity Island, we read of how and when he acquires his many scars, how he comes to own his boat, the Orca, and how he develops his technique for hunting sharks as seen in the movie. Along the way, we meet figures from history such as Charles McVay, captain of the doomed Indianapolis, and characters from the movie Jaws such as Larry Vaughn, the slippery mayor of Amity Island, ichthyologist Matt Hooper, and Quint's mate Hershel Salvatore. This novel, the result of extensive research by the author, expands the Jaws universe, and adds crucial backstory that enhances the experience of watching wh.

The USS Indianapolis was a United States Navy cruiser that was sunk by a Japanese submarine during World War II. The ship was on its way to the Philippines to deliver the first atomic bomb when it was hit by two torpedoes, sinking in twelve minutes. Hundreds of crew members were left floating in the ocean with limited food, water, and lifeboats. Over the next five days, many died from exposure, salt poisoning, dehydration, and the worst mass shark attacks in recorded history. Only 316 of the 1,195 crew members survived.

The sinking of the Indianapolis is considered one of the most significant events in naval history. It was a major blow to the United States Navy, as the ship was carrying the most powerful weapon in the world at the time. The incident also had a significant impact on public opinion, as it raised concerns about the safety of American ships at sea and led to increased funding for anti-submarine warfare.

The novel 'Quint: The Life and Times of the USS Indianapolis' by Ryan Dacko delves into the story of Quint, the captain of the Indianapolis, and his experiences during the sinking and the aftermath. The book provides a detailed account of the ship's sinking, the heroic efforts of the crew to survive, and the devastating toll that the incident took on their lives.

One of the key themes of the novel is the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity. The crew of the Indianapolis faced incredible odds, but they never gave up hope. They worked together to survive, using their skills and ingenuity to build makeshift rafts, gather food and water, and protect themselves from the sharks. Despite the overwhelming odds, only 316 of them made it out alive.

The novel also explores the psychological impact of the sinking on the crew members. Many of them suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder, and the incident left a lasting impact on their lives. Quint, in particular, was deeply affected by the sinking, and his experiences contributed to his iconic character in the movie Jaws.

The novel also provides a detailed account of the investigation into the sinking and the subsequent court-martial of the Japanese submarine captain who was responsible. The trial was a significant event in the history of naval justice, as it was the first time that a Japanese officer had been tried for war crimes. The captain was found guilty and sentenced to death, but his sentence was later commuted to life imprisonment.

Overall, 'Quint: The Life and Times of the USS Indianapolis' is a powerful and compelling novel that provides a new perspective on one of the most significant events in naval history. The book is a must-read for anyone interested in the Second World War, naval history, or the human spirit in the face of adversity.

Weight: 572g
Dimension: 156 x 233 x 33 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781398122475