The mariners’ story—headline news at the time but largely forgotten since—is resuscitated in Eric Jay Dolin’s The Wreck of the Mentor. Mr. Dolin is an experienced hand at nautical adventure; this is his 17th book. In addition to recounting an exciting and at times almost unbelievably dramatic story, the author helps readers appreciate how Western visitors affected the delicate balance of power among indigenous cultures. The Wreck of the Mentor makes for less-guilty adventure reading, depicting a scenario where the odds were leveled by circumstance.
—Michael O’Donnell, Wall Street Journal
A work of serious research ... that keep the pages turning fast. … fans of maritime history will enjoy the ride.—Blair Braverman, New York Times
The best-selling maritime historian Dolin unspools this dramatic yarn with a wealth of contemporary sources and maps, telling a tale not just of a shipwreck but of the fight to retain humanity.—New York Times, "28 Books Coming in June"
Lovers of dad books rejoice! Here is the historical nautical book of the summer.—BookRiot, “Best New Nonfiction Releases of June 2026”
If there was ever a book, ever an author, who can write history and immediately absorb a reader’s complete attention, it’s Eric Jay Dolin and his soon to be released historic story, The Wreck of the Mentor.—Muriel J. Smith, Veni Vidi Scripto
I have read a lot of books on nautical history over the past 20 years, and one thing I can always count on — if it's written by Eric Jay Dolin, it's going to be good. . . . What follows is a thorough — and thoroughly enjoyable — recounting of the fates of the captain and crew of the Mentor . . . . Few historians bring their stories to life so deftly, and anyone captivated by tales of the sea should definitely check Dolin out.
—Tom Knapp, Rambles
It flows with a novel’s alacrity while anchored by meticulous research and sound documentation. And it reaches well beyond the tale of a shipwreck. The Wreck of the Mentor, abundantly well illustrated, is yet another masterful maritime history from Eric Jay Dolin’s pen.—George D. Jepson, Quarterdeck
Eric Jay Dolin's The Wreck of the Mentor is the story of one ship's end that is also a fine introduction to maritime life of the early to mid-19th century. With its backdrop of berths and hulls, rudders, staysails, and waistboats, Dolin's book fits right in with the other recent chronicles of watery disasters, from David Grann's The Wager to Hampton Sides' The Wide Wide Sea.
—Eliza McGraw, American Heritage
A vivid castaway story. From the Odyssey to Lord of the Flies, the shipwreck genre may be the world’s oldest, and few readers will object to this addition from best-selling maritime historian Dolin. High-seas adventures that’ll keep readers hungrily turning the pages.—Kirkus Reviews
Dolin (Black Flags, Blue Waters), a prolific author of acclaimed maritime, environmental, and wildlife titles, presents the harrowing saga of the 22 men aboard the whaling ship Mentor. . . . Engaging and well-written, this will appeal to readers with an interest in maritime history and the real-life adventures of seafarers.
—Margaret Kappanadze, Library Journal
With an impressive array of sources, [Dolin] builds a gripping narrative about the castaways. [He] weaves it all into a dark adventure that must be read to be believed, along within the larger story of the history of whaling, exploration, and sailing. The lavish illustrations add depth to the engaging prose. Reaching far beyond a simple shipwreck chronicle, Dolin's latest dramatic account is a compelling addition to maritime history collections.—James Pekoll, Booklist
