Jaws by Peter Benchley

 Has any novel changed how the public perceives the natural environment more than Peter Benchley’s masterpiece of terror? Inspired in part by the 1964 landing of a great white shark off the coast of Long Island, Jaws tells the story of a fictional summer-resort town whose beachy waters become the hunting ground of a ferocious great white. Published in February 1974, the novel was a success even before it hit bookstores: Benchley sold the movie rights for the unheard-of sum of $150,000 (which allowed the cash-strapped writer to, you know, get a bigger boat). And more than 50 years later, even on the hottest beach days, Jaws still inspires chills. —Ian Aldrich, Yankee executive editor  

The classic thriller of shark versus man that inspired the blockbuster Steven Spielberg movie—now in a fiftieth-anniversary edition with an exclusive foreword from the author’s wife, ocean conservation advocate Wendy Benchley

Beautiful summer getaway Amity Island is terrorized by a great white shark, and a motley group of men take to the water to do battle with the beast. A terrifying novel of suspense and a brilliant meditation on the nature of humanity, Jaws is one of the most iconic adventure books ever written.

In addition to Wendy Benchley’s foreword, this edition of Jaws includes bonus content from Peter Benchley’s archives, including the original typed title page, a brainstorming list of possible titles, a letter from Benchley to producer David Brown with honest feedback on the movie adaptation, and excerpts from Benchley’s book Shark Trouble highlighting his firsthand account of writing Jaws, selling it to Universal Studios, and working with Steven Spielberg.

Over the ensuing decades since writing Jaws in the early 1970s, Peter Benchley was actively engaged with scientists and filmmakers on expeditions around the world as they expanded their knowledge of sharks. He encouraged each new generation of Jaws fans to enjoy his riveting tale and to channel their excitement into support and protection of these magnificent, prehistoric apex predators.

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Ballantine Books
• Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 6, 2013
• Print length ‏ : ‎ 368 pages
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.16 x 0.75 x 8.04 inches