This classic story of high adventure, manic obsession, and metaphysical speculation was Melville`s masterpiece. The tale of Captain Ahab`s frantic pursuit of the cunning and notorious white whale Moby Dick, is packed with drama, and draws heavily on the author`s own experiences on the high seas. This edition includes passages from Melville`s correspondence with Nathaniel Hawthorne, in which the two discussed the philosophical depths of the novel`s plot and imagery.