Nathaniel Philbrick is an acclaimed American author known for his historical works. He won the National Book Award for Nonfiction in 2000 for his book 'In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex', which was based on the events that inspired Herman Melville's classic novel 'Moby-Dick'. Philbrick's maritime history has also been adapted into a film. In addition to his National Book Award, Philbrick has been a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, further cementing his reputation as a respected and accomplished historian and author.