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The Real Jaws (Hardback)

The Attacks that Inspired the Movies

Hobbies & Lifestyle > Film, Media & Television P&S History > Social History

By Rachel Lee Perez
Imprint: White Owl
Series: The Real...
Pages: 224
Illustrations: 32 mono illustrations
ISBN: 9781036132613
Published: 3rd July 2025

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In the Summer of 1916, a series of shark attacks along the New Jersey shore would send shockwaves across its otherwise peaceful beach towns. Spanning a terrifying two weeks, including the deaths of nearly five people, these attacks would officially cement an innate fear of sharks that humans have felt since the beginning of time.

Although initially kept under wraps by the tourism industry, these attacks would ultimately plaster the front pages of newspapers across the United States and even overseas. As the news spread, the line between fact and fiction blurred, reshaping our cultural and scientific understanding of the beasts of the ocean. It was the 1916 shark attacks that would establish our modern-day misconstrued perception of sharks as evil, man-eating monsters, and would later inspire the film Jaws, which would perpetuate the same harmful narrative.

The Real Jaws takes an in-depth look at each one of the attacks and how they instilled a centuries-long fear of the ocean's apex predator. It explores the various theories explaining why these attacks may have occurred and the probability of something like this happening again. And finally, it analyses the way the harmful misconceptions derived from films like Jaws have redefined humanity’s relationship with sharks, leading humans to become the predators and sharks to become the prey.

Have you ever wondered what inspired the movie Jaws or what really has fueled the fear of sharks that the public basically since the movie came out? This was a super thorough and interesting peak into the shark attacks in 1916 that inspired Jaws the novel, as well as, influenced the film.

This is a fascinating look into real life shark attacks that happened, as well as how Jaws changed the public's perception of sharks and really has exacerbated the fear of them and sparked a phenomenon that could not have been replicated today. Perez did extensive research and was able to tell the stories of these attacks really well and made them interesting even when there was a lot of data behind them or hardly any material from eyewitness testimonies. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is even remotely interested in sharks!

NetGalley, Sara Keute

Uncovering the real events that inspired Jaws: A historical analysis

newshub

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

This is a non-fiction of real life events that potentially inspired the Jaws book that was later turned into the block buster film. The book clearly stated that Peter Benchly denies that his book was inspired by these events, but there are themes that very similar.

This was a well organized book that brought up a lot of information about sharks and how the culture around them have evolved through the years. It’s well paced and keeps giving you little nuggets to keep the reader interested. If you’re interested in sharks then I highly recommend this book.

NetGalley, Kristy Langley

The real killer shark that inspired Jaws: How deaths of four swimmers in two weeks in 1916 sparked hysteria - but like in Steven Spielberg's iconic film the beaches stayed OPEN

Mail Online

The cover of this book initially caught my attention. I am a Jaws fan and, like many, find sharks incredibly interesting. Once I read the book description I knew I would definitely be reading this.
This book did not disappoint with the writer’s clear and concise discussion of the Shark Attacks in New Jersey in 1916.

NetGalley, Lacey Ivey

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Most all of us have an innate fear or sharks but we don’t even understand what causes that in the big picture. This book was so informative and really taught me the history of shark attacks, our fear of them, and how humans have misunderstood sharks since the dawn of time. This gives me a far greater appreciation of the species as a whole.

NetGalley, Ellen Ross

About Rachel Lee Perez

RACHEL LEE PEREZ is an independent historian and author. She has authored two fiction novels and a children's book, as well as contributed several articles to history magazines and online forums.


Rachel holds a bachelor's degree in History and is certified in Paralegal Studies and Teaching Women's History.


She is the founder and host of the Hashtag History podcast which delves into history's greatest stories of controversy, conspiracy, and corruption. The Hashtag History podcast has ranked as a Top History Podcast in several countries and has been downloaded hundreds of thousands of times.


Rachel is also a Director for the Remedial Herstory Project and the host of their podcast, US Herstory.


Rachel lives in Elk Grove, California, with her husband Alex, and their twin daughters, Charlotte and Olivia.

1st of 4 fatal Jersey Shore shark attacks occur at Beach Haven

1st July 1916

1st of 4 fatal Jersey Shore shark attacks occur at Beach Haven when Charles Vansant (25) bled to death, challenging previous scientific belief that sharks never hurt humans, and sparking popular fear over sharks which persists today


'Jaws' is released

20th June 1975

"Jaws", based on the book by Peter Benchley, directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Roy Scheider is released


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