In this episode of Dave Does History, we explore the fascinating story behind Herman Melville’s Moby Dick—a novel that went from being a literary flop to one of the most celebrated works in Western literature. Host Dave takes us through Melville’s life, his inspiration from real-life events, and the book’s initial cold reception in England and America. We’ll dig into why Moby Dick struggled to find its audience when first published on October 18, 1851 and how it was rediscovered decades later, cementing its place as a cornerstone of the American literary canon. Tune in for an engaging and thought-provoking look at why Moby Dick is considered one of the greatest novels ever written!