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The Wreck of the Mentor: A True Story of Death, Despair, and Deliverance in the Age of Sail
Not yet published
Expected 2 Jun 26An astonishing true story—one of the most gripping maritime sagas of the nineteenth century—told by our era’s “expert literary steersman” (Washington Post).
From the best–selling author of Black Flags, Blue Waters comes the story of the American whaleship Mentor, wrecked in 1832 on a remote reef in the western Pacific. With supplies dwindling, the eleven surviving crewmen face not only the miseries of shipwreck in unfamiliar territory but also the profound uncertainty of contact with the Indigenous people of the Micronesian archipelago of Palau, who within days approach the deserted men brandishing axes, clubs, and spears. In this gripping saga of cultural collision, tribal wars, and dashed hopes, award–winning historian Eric Jay Dolin vividly reconstructs the Mentor’s doomed voyage, the years of perilous captivity, and the delicate negotiations and fraught naval rescue mission that followed.
Illustrated by more than 100 images and maps, The Wreck of the Mentor is at once a powerful story of survival and a revealing window into the great Age of Sail?a time when maritime ambition collided with local sovereignty, and when the outcome of one voyage rippled across oceans and empires.
From the best–selling author of Black Flags, Blue Waters comes the story of the American whaleship Mentor, wrecked in 1832 on a remote reef in the western Pacific. With supplies dwindling, the eleven surviving crewmen face not only the miseries of shipwreck in unfamiliar territory but also the profound uncertainty of contact with the Indigenous people of the Micronesian archipelago of Palau, who within days approach the deserted men brandishing axes, clubs, and spears. In this gripping saga of cultural collision, tribal wars, and dashed hopes, award–winning historian Eric Jay Dolin vividly reconstructs the Mentor’s doomed voyage, the years of perilous captivity, and the delicate negotiations and fraught naval rescue mission that followed.
Illustrated by more than 100 images and maps, The Wreck of the Mentor is at once a powerful story of survival and a revealing window into the great Age of Sail?a time when maritime ambition collided with local sovereignty, and when the outcome of one voyage rippled across oceans and empires.
- GenresHistoryNonfiction
272 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication June 2, 2026
5 people are currently reading
3676 people want to read
About the author
Eric Jay Dolin
20 books484 followersBELOW ARE TWO VERSIONS OF MY BIOGRAPHY: THE SHORT ONE I USE FOR INTRODUCTIONS TO MY BOOK TALKS, AND THE LONGER VERSION, WHICH GOES A BIT DEEPER ON MY BACKGROUND, AND HOW I BECAME A WRITER.
SHORT
Eric Jay Dolin is the author of seventeen books, including Leviathan: The History of Whaling in America; A Furious Sky: The Five-Hundred-Year History of America’s Hurricanes; Black Flags, Blue Waters: The Epic History of America’s Most Notorious Pirates; and Rebels at Sea: Privateering in the American Revolution. His forthcoming book (June 2, 2026), is The Wreck of the Mentor: A True Story of Death, Despair, and Deliverance in the Age of Sail. Dolin's books have won many awards including the John Lyman Award for U.S. Maritime History; Fraunces Tavern Museum Book Award; National Society Daughters of the American Revolution Excellence in American History Book Award for Adult Nonfiction; Samuel Eliot Morison Book Award for Naval Literature; L. Byrne Waterman Book Award for Outstanding Contributions to Research and Pedagogy in the Arts, Humanities, and Sciences; James P. Hanlan Book Award; and the Outdoor Writers Association of America Book Award. Many of his books have been chosen as “must reads” by the Massachusetts Center for the Book. Other honors include being chosen as a finalist for the Kirkus Prize, and as one of the best books of the year by The Los Angeles Times, The Boston Globe, The Washington Post, Kirkus Reviews, the Library Journal, and Booklist. Dolin lives in Marblehead, Massachusetts, with his family.
LONGER
I grew up near the coasts of New York and Connecticut, and since an early age I was fascinated by the natural world, especially the ocean. I spent many days wandering the beaches on the edge of Long Island Sound and the Atlantic, collecting seashells and exploring tidepools. When I left for college I wanted to become a marine biologist or more specifically a malacologist (seashell scientist). At Brown University I quickly realized that although I loved learning about science, I wasn't cut out for a career in science, mainly because I wasn't very good in the lab, and I didn't particularly enjoy reading or writing scientific research papers. So, after taking a year off and exploring a range of career options, I shifted course turning toward the field of environmental policy, first earning a double-major in biology and environmental studies, then getting a masters degree in environmental management from Yale, and a Ph.D. in environmental policy and planning from MIT, where my dissertation focused on the role of the courts in the cleanup of Boston Harbor.
I have held a variety of jobs, including stints as a fisheries policy analyst at the National Marine Fisheries Service, a program manager at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, an environmental consultant stateside and in London, an American Association for the Advancement of Science writing fellow at Business Week, a curatorial assistant in the Mollusk Department at Harvard's Museum of Comparative Zoology, and an intern at the National Wildlife Federation, the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management, and the U.S. Senate.
Throughout my career, one thing remained constant--I enjoyed writing and telling stories. And that's why I started writing books--to share the stories that I find most intriguing (I have also published more than 60 articles for magazines, newspapers, and professional journals). My most recent books include:
***The Wreck of the Mentor: A True Story of Death, Despair, and Deliverance in the Age of Sail (Liveright, June 2, 2026).
***Left For Dead: Shipwreck, Treachery, and Survival at the Edge of the World (Liveright, 2024), which was selected by the editors at Amazon as one of the best history books of the year.
***Rebels at Sea: Privateering in the American Revolution (Liveright, 2022), which was winner of the 2023 Fraunces Tavern Museum Book Award, the Samuel Eliot Morison Award for Naval Literature, the Nation
SHORT
Eric Jay Dolin is the author of seventeen books, including Leviathan: The History of Whaling in America; A Furious Sky: The Five-Hundred-Year History of America’s Hurricanes; Black Flags, Blue Waters: The Epic History of America’s Most Notorious Pirates; and Rebels at Sea: Privateering in the American Revolution. His forthcoming book (June 2, 2026), is The Wreck of the Mentor: A True Story of Death, Despair, and Deliverance in the Age of Sail. Dolin's books have won many awards including the John Lyman Award for U.S. Maritime History; Fraunces Tavern Museum Book Award; National Society Daughters of the American Revolution Excellence in American History Book Award for Adult Nonfiction; Samuel Eliot Morison Book Award for Naval Literature; L. Byrne Waterman Book Award for Outstanding Contributions to Research and Pedagogy in the Arts, Humanities, and Sciences; James P. Hanlan Book Award; and the Outdoor Writers Association of America Book Award. Many of his books have been chosen as “must reads” by the Massachusetts Center for the Book. Other honors include being chosen as a finalist for the Kirkus Prize, and as one of the best books of the year by The Los Angeles Times, The Boston Globe, The Washington Post, Kirkus Reviews, the Library Journal, and Booklist. Dolin lives in Marblehead, Massachusetts, with his family.
LONGER
I grew up near the coasts of New York and Connecticut, and since an early age I was fascinated by the natural world, especially the ocean. I spent many days wandering the beaches on the edge of Long Island Sound and the Atlantic, collecting seashells and exploring tidepools. When I left for college I wanted to become a marine biologist or more specifically a malacologist (seashell scientist). At Brown University I quickly realized that although I loved learning about science, I wasn't cut out for a career in science, mainly because I wasn't very good in the lab, and I didn't particularly enjoy reading or writing scientific research papers. So, after taking a year off and exploring a range of career options, I shifted course turning toward the field of environmental policy, first earning a double-major in biology and environmental studies, then getting a masters degree in environmental management from Yale, and a Ph.D. in environmental policy and planning from MIT, where my dissertation focused on the role of the courts in the cleanup of Boston Harbor.
I have held a variety of jobs, including stints as a fisheries policy analyst at the National Marine Fisheries Service, a program manager at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, an environmental consultant stateside and in London, an American Association for the Advancement of Science writing fellow at Business Week, a curatorial assistant in the Mollusk Department at Harvard's Museum of Comparative Zoology, and an intern at the National Wildlife Federation, the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management, and the U.S. Senate.
Throughout my career, one thing remained constant--I enjoyed writing and telling stories. And that's why I started writing books--to share the stories that I find most intriguing (I have also published more than 60 articles for magazines, newspapers, and professional journals). My most recent books include:
***The Wreck of the Mentor: A True Story of Death, Despair, and Deliverance in the Age of Sail (Liveright, June 2, 2026).
***Left For Dead: Shipwreck, Treachery, and Survival at the Edge of the World (Liveright, 2024), which was selected by the editors at Amazon as one of the best history books of the year.
***Rebels at Sea: Privateering in the American Revolution (Liveright, 2022), which was winner of the 2023 Fraunces Tavern Museum Book Award, the Samuel Eliot Morison Award for Naval Literature, the Nation
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
March 26, 2026
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy.
This book tells the story of the American whale ship The Mentor that crashed in the Pacific in 1832. The surviving crew end up in Palau, where they face culture shock and warring factions. This book is very well-researched but a bit dense. Overall, I enjoyed it, and I think anyone who is a fan of exploration history will also enjoy it.
This book tells the story of the American whale ship The Mentor that crashed in the Pacific in 1832. The surviving crew end up in Palau, where they face culture shock and warring factions. This book is very well-researched but a bit dense. Overall, I enjoyed it, and I think anyone who is a fan of exploration history will also enjoy it.
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
A storm in the Pacific rages for three days before tragedy strikes. Without knowing specifically where Mentor is, the whalemen assume they are as safe as possible in an age when sailing ships sometimes vanish, never to be heard from again. On 21 May 1832, shortly after midnight, Mentor crashes into a reef. Waves drive her into the obstacle three times, causing damage to her rudder and leaving the helmsman unable to control the ship. They suffer no losses, but a disagreement ensues as to whether to abandon ship now or wait until daylight. First mate Thomas Crowley and nine others choose to board one of the whaleboats and leave. They are never seen again.
Captain Bernard and his remaining twelve crewmen strike out for a small cay in a damaged whaleboat the next day. Perhaps they can make repairs and chance crossing to a larger island later, for they can’t take enough supplies from the ship with them or gather sufficient food on the deserted cay. There is evidence that someone visits on occasion, and within a short time, tattooed and armed natives in a canoe arrive.
At each turn, Barnard and his men encounter trials and tribulations in their attempts to leave the Palauan archipelago and return home to America. Salvation comes but neither soon nor as hoped for or for everyone. No punches are pulled in depicting what the shipwreck victims endure or in the differences between the different tribes. Two particularly telling inclusions in this tale are excerpts from one survivor’s book that shares Tobian vocabulary and dialogues and how self-interest plays significant roles in negotiations for the survivors’ freedom. The epilogue incorporates the aftermath of the whalemen’s rescue, as well as other Westerners on Pacific islands, and what becomes of those who return home. Twenty-two set out on the voyage of Mentor, but only seven survive the journey.
This book is divided into twenty-three chapters and includes a Cast of Characters. Color plates are located in a center section, while black-&-white illustrations and maps are scattered throughout. Footnotes appear at the bottom of pages within the text, providing explanations to words and statements found in the narrative. In his introduction, Dolin explains that he combines historical documentation with oral tradition because there are few sources from the Palauans, yet he wishes to provide a more-rounded glimpse into these natives and the archipelago where they live rather than solely relying on Western impressions and memories. Chapter notes and an index complete the book.
The Wreck of the Mentor is more than just a recounting of what happens to the ship and her crew. Dolin also summarizes the history of whaling and how whalers work. He discusses what’s happening in the world at the time along with beachcombers, Westerners who live on the islands rather than return home with their shipmates. He introduces readers to the archipelago, the peoples who live there, their ways of life and beliefs, and how interactions with seamen from the West impact their lives for better and worse. More importantly, from Captain Barnard’s perspective, is that one of these encounters involves Antelope, a British East India Company’s packet that wrecks there nearly fifty years earlier. What he knows of the incident comes from a book written by George Keate, which doesn’t tell the whole story. What seems like paradise can be deceiving as other run-ins between natives and Westerners, before and during the Mentors’ experiences, demonstrate. Despite what are sometimes violent clashes, real attempts at cultural exchanges are attempted.
(This review originally appeared at Pirates and Privateers: http://www.cindyvallar.com/Dolin.html...)
Captain Bernard and his remaining twelve crewmen strike out for a small cay in a damaged whaleboat the next day. Perhaps they can make repairs and chance crossing to a larger island later, for they can’t take enough supplies from the ship with them or gather sufficient food on the deserted cay. There is evidence that someone visits on occasion, and within a short time, tattooed and armed natives in a canoe arrive.
At each turn, Barnard and his men encounter trials and tribulations in their attempts to leave the Palauan archipelago and return home to America. Salvation comes but neither soon nor as hoped for or for everyone. No punches are pulled in depicting what the shipwreck victims endure or in the differences between the different tribes. Two particularly telling inclusions in this tale are excerpts from one survivor’s book that shares Tobian vocabulary and dialogues and how self-interest plays significant roles in negotiations for the survivors’ freedom. The epilogue incorporates the aftermath of the whalemen’s rescue, as well as other Westerners on Pacific islands, and what becomes of those who return home. Twenty-two set out on the voyage of Mentor, but only seven survive the journey.
This book is divided into twenty-three chapters and includes a Cast of Characters. Color plates are located in a center section, while black-&-white illustrations and maps are scattered throughout. Footnotes appear at the bottom of pages within the text, providing explanations to words and statements found in the narrative. In his introduction, Dolin explains that he combines historical documentation with oral tradition because there are few sources from the Palauans, yet he wishes to provide a more-rounded glimpse into these natives and the archipelago where they live rather than solely relying on Western impressions and memories. Chapter notes and an index complete the book.
The Wreck of the Mentor is more than just a recounting of what happens to the ship and her crew. Dolin also summarizes the history of whaling and how whalers work. He discusses what’s happening in the world at the time along with beachcombers, Westerners who live on the islands rather than return home with their shipmates. He introduces readers to the archipelago, the peoples who live there, their ways of life and beliefs, and how interactions with seamen from the West impact their lives for better and worse. More importantly, from Captain Barnard’s perspective, is that one of these encounters involves Antelope, a British East India Company’s packet that wrecks there nearly fifty years earlier. What he knows of the incident comes from a book written by George Keate, which doesn’t tell the whole story. What seems like paradise can be deceiving as other run-ins between natives and Westerners, before and during the Mentors’ experiences, demonstrate. Despite what are sometimes violent clashes, real attempts at cultural exchanges are attempted.
(This review originally appeared at Pirates and Privateers: http://www.cindyvallar.com/Dolin.html...)
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Let's keep this brief because Eric Jay Dolin did, too! A few years ago, people went wild for David Grann's The Wager. It seems people realized what I learned long ago which is that shipwreck stories are the absolute best. Dolin went ahead and wrote Left for Dead two years ago which was the perfect complement for The Wager fans. Now we have The Wreck of the Mentor. The simple answer is yes: if you loved the other two, you'll love this one.
Dolin tells the story of the, duh, Mentor. It is shipwrecked in the vast Pacific and the survivors end up in the archipelago of Palau. Things don't go great. If they did, this wouldn't be an adventure story.
Here's what you need to know about this book in comparison to the other two I mentioned. Dolin keeps this narrative mean and lean. The first page is the ship in distress, and it doesn't let up from there. The actual meat of the book is around 200 pages so if The Wager looked too long to you, then this is what you want. There isn't as much detail of the crew as the other two books, but Dolin gives some fun asides about other comparable wrecks and some background that never feels like treading water. You wanted adventure, and Dolin dished it out.
(This book was provided as a review copy by Liveright Books.)
Dolin tells the story of the, duh, Mentor. It is shipwrecked in the vast Pacific and the survivors end up in the archipelago of Palau. Things don't go great. If they did, this wouldn't be an adventure story.
Here's what you need to know about this book in comparison to the other two I mentioned. Dolin keeps this narrative mean and lean. The first page is the ship in distress, and it doesn't let up from there. The actual meat of the book is around 200 pages so if The Wager looked too long to you, then this is what you want. There isn't as much detail of the crew as the other two books, but Dolin gives some fun asides about other comparable wrecks and some background that never feels like treading water. You wanted adventure, and Dolin dished it out.
(This book was provided as a review copy by Liveright Books.)
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Whaling has never been a safe profession but while we think of accidents from storms or an angry whale, the mariners in the Pacific also faced massive storms far from land. If shipwrecked you were left with hopefully finding an island- one that supported life and if inhabited, had native populations that didn't see you as a threat. In 1832 one such storm took out the whaling ship The Mentor leaving what was left of the crew on a lifeboat headed for one of the many small islands around Palau. Some relationships worked and the islanders need for iron could be exchanged for fresh supplies. If you were unlucky and ended up with a group of islanders who had not had good experiences with foreigners on their shores you faced being attacked, starved and enslaved. This is an interesting look not only on the European idea of conquering/civilizing the indigenous people but also the lack of urgency in saving those left behind. If it wasn't for one of the survivors writing a book this account would have been lost to time. Readers of THE WIDE, WIDE SEA and other Pacific Islander books will get much out of this. My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Wreck of the Mentor by Eric Jay Dolin is the true account of an American whaling ship that wrecked near the Micronesian islands, leaving eleven men stuck in unfamiliar territory with locals who could become either friend or foe.
I love a ship wreck disaster, and while I typically lean more towards tales set in colder climates, this story seemed too interesting to pass over. Dolin is thorough in his research and makes frequent detours to provide context for the events as they unfold, flashing back to past encounters the locals have had with ships and how that shaped their interactions with the Mentor crew.
I was completely absorbed in the tale as he told it, finishing the book in just a few days. The provided pictures and illustrations are beautiful, and really added to the story as he set the scene. If you’re a fan of historical nonfiction or boat media in general, this is a fantastic story to add to your collection.
Thank you W. W. Norton & Company for providing this advance copy for review via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
I love a ship wreck disaster, and while I typically lean more towards tales set in colder climates, this story seemed too interesting to pass over. Dolin is thorough in his research and makes frequent detours to provide context for the events as they unfold, flashing back to past encounters the locals have had with ships and how that shaped their interactions with the Mentor crew.
I was completely absorbed in the tale as he told it, finishing the book in just a few days. The provided pictures and illustrations are beautiful, and really added to the story as he set the scene. If you’re a fan of historical nonfiction or boat media in general, this is a fantastic story to add to your collection.
Thank you W. W. Norton & Company for providing this advance copy for review via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I have mixed feelings about this one. It is obviously well-researched, and I like the addition of photos and drawings. However, it was a bit hard for me to follow. There were some issues with the way the eARC was formatted, which didn’t make it easier. All in all, I found the history interesting.
Rating - 3 ⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review!
Rating - 3 ⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I'm giving 4 stars for research and 3 stars for readability, and I don't want to read it again to try and understand it better.
It may just be my old brain, but trying to keep track of the story was too much work. This will be published with lots of illustrations that might assist in following the threads.
It may just be my old brain, but trying to keep track of the story was too much work. This will be published with lots of illustrations that might assist in following the threads.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The story of The Mentor is an interesting part of whaling and sailing history. Crashing in the Micronesian islands, the crew had many types of experiences with the native populations of these islands.
Well-researched and peppered with additional related stories of the times and area, along with photos, drawings and maps, this is an enjoyable read.
Well-researched and peppered with additional related stories of the times and area, along with photos, drawings and maps, this is an enjoyable read.
March 17, 2026
From Nantucket sleigh rides to crimson chimneys, this book covers the difficulties of whaling and sailing the South Seas. Once shipwrecked, natives bargain for control over the American whalers in hopes of great rewards for insuring their safe return home.
Thanks to Norton/Liveright for the ARC!
Thanks to Norton/Liveright for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
The Wreck of the Mentor is an informative and interesting historical story about whaling, shipwreck survival and native culture in the south Pacific.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews