Peter benchley simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Jun 28, 2010 peter benchley addressing shark conservation. Peter bradford benchley was an american author best known for writing the novel jaws and cowriting the screenplay for its highly successful film adaptation. Several more of his works were also adapted for both. Jul 31, 2012 this edition of jaws contains bonus content from peter benchleys 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 benchleys book shark trouble highlighting his firsthand account of. His other books include the deep, the island, the girl of the sea of cortez, q clearance, rummies, beast, white shark, and shark trouble. This edition of jaws contains bonus content from peter benchleys 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 benchleys book shark trouble highlighting his firsthand account of. Estimated sales of 20 million books changed benchleys life forever, not to mention popular. Peter bradford benchley may 8, 1940 february 11, 2006 was an american author and screenwriter. After graduating from college in 1961, benchley travelled around the world for a year. The novel grows out of benchley s interest in shark attacks after he learned about the exploits of shark fisherman frank mundus in 1964. He was also a speechwriter for president lyndon johnson and a journalist for such magazines as newsweek and national geographic. Jaws is a 1974 novel by american writer peter benchley.
He is known for the bestselling novel jaws and cowrote its subsequent film adaptation with carl. If youve only seen the film one of the best ever imho the book is worth reading. Mar 17, 2018 jaws is published by pan macmillan and you can purchase a copy here. Jaws 1975 behind the scenes with bruce the mechanical shark duration. Jaws catches readers in th first pages, with a brutal sharkattack coming right away. Benchley s interest in the sea, stemming from childhood summers spent on the coast of nantucket, led to his meticulously researching the subject of sharks and writing such bestselling and critically acclaimed novels as the deep, whiteshark, and jaws. But the only title that he and the editor could agree on was just jaws. Peter benchley was an alumnus of the allenstevenson school, phillips exeter academy and harvard university. Estimated sales of 20 million books changed benchleys life forever, not to mention.
Jaws at 40 is peter benchleys book a forgotten masterpiece. Peter benchley, whose first novel, jaws, sold 20 million copies and helped invent the hollywood summer blockbuster film when steven. Peter bradford benchley may 8, 1940 february 12, 2006 was an american author, best known for his novel jaws and its subsequent movie adaptation, the latter cowritten by benchley with carl gottlieb and directed by steven spielberg. Aug 06, 20 this edition of jaws contains bonus content from peter benchleys 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 benchleys book shark trouble highlighting his firsthand account of. The rainforest hermit who stepped out of the wild australian story duration. Peter bradford benchley may 8, 1940 february 11, 2006 was an american author, screenwriter, and ocean activist. Sep 04, 2014 it is forty years since a littleknown writer named peter benchley published a first novel called jaws. Several more of his works were also adapted for both cinema and television, including the deep, the island, beast, and white shark.
His other books include the deep, the island, the girl of the sea of cortez, q clearance, rummies, beast, white sha. According to author peter benchley, he came up with the title 20 minutes before the book was supposed to go into production. Jaws book by peter benchley half price books marketplace. The success of the book led to many publishers commissioning books about mutant rats, rabid dogs and the like threatening communities. The rest of the book more so than the movie deals with the townspeople, and how they each react to the shark.
In the bestselling novel jaws by peter benchley, we are introduced to a small summer town known as amity. Congdon and benchley brainstormed about the title frequently, with the writer estimating about 125 ideas raised. Feb, 2006 peter benchley, whose 1974 novel jaws turned shark attacks into a national obsession and who later used what he called his fish story to help promote oceanic conservation, died yesterday. Peter benchley began his career as a novelist in 1974 with the publication of jaws, which was made into a hugely successful film. Jaws pan 70th anniversary series by peter benchley. New york times bestseller the classic suspense novel of shark versus man, which was made into the blockbuster steven spielberg. Hed thought of many options he wasnt crazy abouta stillness in the water, a silence in the deep, the jaws of death, the jaws of leviathan. Peter benchley author of jaws goodreads share book. Speilbergs film opts for wonder and adventure, whereas benchley s original is more brooding and angry. It tells the story of a great white shark that preys upon a small resort town and the voyage of three men trying to kill it. In 1974, peter benchley published jaws, a novel about a shark that terrorizes a seaside town. Jaws by peter benchley and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Jaws made the names of both benchley and steven spielberg who triumphantly directed the filming of the novel.
Jaws was later adapted into a blockbuster movie 1975. In honor of shark week i reread jaws by peter benchley. Includes identificaton criteria and points of issue to help collectors identify the original book. The novel grew out of benchleys interest in shark attacks after he learned about the exploits of shark fisherman frank mundus in 1964. Jaws sinks its teeth in and doesnt let go aug 4, 2007 by bubblejesus. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. It tells the story of a great white shark that preys upon a small resort town and the voyage of three men. May 06, 1974 jaws peter benchley writes a mediocre, or average at best, shark story that is fondly remembered by most thanks to stephen spielberg. He wrote the bestselling novel jaws and cowrote its film adaptation with carl gottlieb. In this town, people have to make money from tourist trade and of course in the few months when the sun is shining bright. He worked as a reporter for the washington post, as associate editor of newsweek and as a speechwriter for the late president johnson. Eight fascinating facts about jaws author peter benchley.
It is forty years since a littleknown writer named peter benchley published a first novel called jaws. Sep 03, 2012 key differences between jaws the book and the film richard dreyfuss hooper is killed in the shark cage by ian freer posted 3 sep 2012. Cmy documentsmikes shitutilitiesbookspdf format benchley, peter jaws. The book is okay, mostly sharky fun weighed down by drama at times, but it cant hold a candle to the greatest shark movie ever made. Benchley, peter and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. It saw nothing, for the water was murky with motes of vegetation. In thirtyfive feet of water, the great fish swam slowly, its tail waving just enough to maintain motion. This onepage guide includes a plot summary and brief analysis of jaw by peter benchley. Jun 19, 2015 peter benchley was 27 when he quit his job writing for president johnson to write a book about a villainous killer shark that stalked, and ate, members of a small island community.
Pictures of the true first edition of jaws by peter benchley. New york times bestseller the classic suspense novel of shark versus man, which was made into the blockbuster steven spielberg movie. Peter benchley has 23 books on goodreads with 215334 ratings. The philadelphia inquirerthe classic, blockbuster t. The latest edition of jaws contains bonus content from peter benchleys archives, including the original typed title page for the novel, a brainstorming list of possible titles, a letter from benchley to coproducer david brown with honest feedback on the movie adaptation, and classic photos of the movie production. First edition of one of the most famous stories of all time.