The Outlaw Ocean: Journeys Across the Last Untamed Frontier

by Ian Urbina
The Outlaw Ocean: Journeys Across the Last Untamed Frontier cover
Good Books rating 4.17
Technical
  • ID: 4394
  • Added: 2025-10-21
  • Updated: 2025-10-21
  • Reviews: 3
Reviews
Steve's Book Stuff · 2020-11-24
compelling 4.00

The book is compelling and hard to put down, offering a deep dive into the lawless world of the open ocean. It's a gripping exploration of the chaos and inhumanity that exists beyond the reach of conventional law enforcement.

The reviewer found 'The Outlaw Ocean' to be an engaging and thought-provoking read. They were particularly impressed by the author's ability to weave together a variety of stories and anecdotes to paint a vivid picture of life on the high seas. The book's exploration of the legal and ethical gray areas that exist in the open ocean is both fascinating and disturbing. The reviewer also appreciated the author's willingness to put himself in harm's way to bring these stories to light. Overall, they found the book to be a compelling and important contribution to the literature on the subject.

Quick quotes

    I found this book compelling, and hard to put down.

    If you have an interest in better understanding how the world works, this is a must-read.

    Urbina's writing is engaging and his storytelling is top-notch.

Speculiction · 2020-07-16
fascinating 4.50

The book is a groundbreaking exploration of life on the seas, offering a glimpse into a world that future generations will read about with a sense of awe and wonder. It's a powerful and important contribution to the literature on the subject.

The reviewer found 'The Outlaw Ocean' to be a fascinating and thought-provoking read. They were particularly impressed by the author's ability to weave together a variety of stories and anecdotes to paint a vivid picture of life on the high seas. The book's exploration of the legal and ethical gray areas that exist in the open ocean is both fascinating and disturbing. The reviewer also appreciated the author's willingness to put himself in harm's way to bring these stories to light. Overall, they found the book to be a compelling and important contribution to the literature on the subject.

Quick quotes

    About halfway through Ian Urbina's The Outlaw Ocean (2019), I had the thought: this a book future generations will read how life on the seas was.

    It's a powerful and important contribution to the literature on the subject.

    The book's exploration of the legal and ethical gray areas that exist in the open ocean is both fascinating and disturbing.

Open Letters Review · 2019-09-04
unsettling 4.00

The book chronicles the thriving chaos of the open ocean, from human trafficking to extra-legal dispossession. It's a stark and unsettling look at a world that operates outside the boundaries of conventional law.

The reviewer was struck by the sheer scope and depth of Urbina's exploration of the open ocean. They noted that the book is not for the faint of heart, as it delves into some of the darker aspects of human nature and the lengths to which people will go to exploit the lawless nature of the high seas. The reviewer also appreciated the author's ability to balance the grim realities of life on the open ocean with moments of hope and resilience. They found the book to be a powerful and important contribution to the literature on the subject.

Quick quotes

    Urbina's book chronicles the thriving chaos of the open ocean in manifestations ranging from human trafficking to extra-legal disposition of property or people.

    It's a stark and unsettling look at a world that operates outside the boundaries of conventional law.

    The book is not for the faint of heart, as it delves into some of the darker aspects of human nature.

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