Catching Thunder: The Story of the World’s Longest Sea Chase

Praise for Catching Thunder: The Story of the World’s Longest Sea Chase

“Delivers a true story that reads like a spy novel, peppered with scary organized crime villains, charismatic environmental activists and Interpol agents, and enough tidbits about sailing treacherous seas, commercial fishing, and endangered species to satisfy the most dedicated nautical adventure fan.”
— Foreword Reviews

“Engdal and Saeter shine a broad light on maritime crimes committed in international waters by mixing in other stories of outlaw ships.”
— Publishers Weekly

“This is long-form investigative journalism at its finest. A riveting and thorough account of how complicated crime syndicates maneuver through murky globalized channels and how multilateral efforts by law enforcement agencies worldwide attempt to distribute justice.”
— Starred Review

“An uproarious adventure. . . . The book’s short chapters read like urgent frontline bulletins.”
— Spectator

“A clarion call for those who want to save our seas.”
— National Geographic Traveller

“Catching Thunder is about more than just the pursuit of one ship, however. Its main focus is the years-long efforts to track these vessels and their mysterious owners on both sea and land. Beyond attempts to bring the ships’ owners to justice, the book explores the challenges involved in trying to police international waters far from populated areas.”
— Post Magazine

“This is a modern pirate story, but the plunder isn't pieces of eight—it's the Patagonian Toothfish, as valuable as narcotics. The pirate ship, the eponymous Thunder, was one of a number specialising in the illegal, million-dollar trawling of endangered species.”
— Sydney Morning Herald

“A sensational new book.”
— Maritime Executive

“The authors take readers on a journey as they seek to come face-to-face with those profiting from poaching, and realize the challenges involved in bringing them to justice. . . . Engdal and Sæter track down players on both sides, telling the story from all angles. We get the experiences of the environmental­ists, the officers on the fishing vessels, the Indonesian crews, and even of those involved in the operations on land.”
— South China Morning Post

“Engdal and Sæter are to journalism what Jagger and Richards are to rock and roll—sexy, irreverent, and brilliant.”
— Luke Harding, Guardian journalist and author of The Snowden Files

“Captain Hammarstedt’s bravery and spirit ride as high as the bow of the Bob Barker. True adventure, life and death moments, and real life heroism: what reader could ask for more?”
— Ingrid Newkirk, president, PETA

“The pursuit of the Thunder has become celebrated folklore by those of us fighting to protect our oceans. This is a captivating story, one which highlights the weaknesses in the global system but also, ultimately, gives us hope.”
— Tony Long, CEO, Global Fishing Watch

“This is the story of our time: the blind destruction of the oceans and our ecosphere, and the actions of those with the courage to stand up and confront it.”
— Peter Heller, author of The Whale Warriors and Celine