Herman Melville's classic masterpiece tells the story of the wandering sailor Ishmael and his voyage on the whaleship Pequod, commanded by Captain Ahab. Ishmael soon learns that Ahab seeks one specific whale, Moby Dick, a white sperm whale of tremendous size and ferocity. In a previous encounter, the whale destroyed Ahab's boat and bit off his leg and Ahab intends to take revenge. The first line—Call me Ishmael—is one of the most famous opening lines in American literature. Moby-Dick is considered one of the greatest novels in the English language and has secured Melville's place among America's greatest writers.