Peter Benchley's Jaws is the thriller that launched a cultural phenomenon, following a small beach town terrorized by a great white shark. More than a creature feature, Benchley creates a tense exploration of fear, masculinity, and the clash between economic interests and public safety. The novel examines how communities respond to crisis, revealing the human drama beneath the surface terror as Chief Brody, oceanographer Hooper, and shark hunter Quint confront both the predator and their own limitations.

WHY WE PICKED IT: Because Benchley understood that the scariest monsters are the ones that expose our vulnerabilities. Jaws works not because of the shark, but because of what the shark reveals about the people trying to stop it. It's a reminder that nature doesn't care about our plans.

DETAILS: • Author: Peter Benchley • Publisher: Ballantine Books • Format: Paperback • Publication Date: August 6, 2013 • ISBN: 9780345544148 • Ships direct from distributor in 3–7 business days