Kindle Price: $10.99

Save $15.00 (58%)

Promotions apply when you purchase

These promotions will be applied to this item:

Some promotions may be combined; others are not eligible to be combined with other offers. For details, please see the Terms & Conditions associated with these promotions.

Read with our free app
You've subscribed to ! We will preorder your items within 24 hours of when they become available. When new books are released, we'll charge your default payment method for the lowest price available during the pre-order period.
Update your device or payment method, cancel individual pre-orders or your subscription at
Your Memberships & Subscriptions

Buy for others

Give as a gift or purchase for a team or group.
Learn more

Buying and sending eBooks to others

  1. Select quantity
  2. Buy and send eBooks
  3. Recipients can read on any device

These ebooks can only be redeemed by recipients in the US. Redemption links and eBooks cannot be resold.
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Amazon book clubs early access
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Amazon book clubs early access

Join or create book clubs

Choose books together

Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Explore Amazon Book Clubs

Follow the author

James Jones
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Go to the Widow-Maker Kindle Edition

by James Jones (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.2 out of 5 stars 38
See all formats and editions
A playwright vacationing in Jamaica becomes dangerously obsessed with deep-sea diving
Ron Grant is one of the finest playwrights of his generation, second only to Tennessee Williams in pure genius. But success does not mean he feels like a man. On vacation in Jamaica with his mistress, an ice queen who considers him her personal trophy, his thoughts are back in New York City, with a beautiful young girl he met a few days before he left town. As the stress bears down on him, the brilliant playwright goes nearly to pieces before he finds his salvation under water. On his first deep-sea dive, Grant falls in love with the haunting beauty of the reef. He returns as soon as he can, staying longer and swimming deeper until all his problems seep away. But a man can’t breathe underwater forever—and his obsession will drive him to take increasing risks that will change his life forever. This ebook features an illustrated biography of James Jones including rare photos from the author’s estate.
Previous page
  1. Print length
    752 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    Open Road Media
  5. Publication date
    May 10, 2011
  6. File size
    4225 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. See all details
Next page
  Report an issue with this product or seller

Editorial Reviews

Review

“In Go to the Widow-Maker . . . [Jones has] demonstrated his ability to create a remarkable novel of ordinary civilian life, of human relationships which are both typical and strange, of love and passion and pathology.” —Maxwell Geismar “One of the significant writers of his generation.” —The New York Times Book Review “The only one of my contemporaries who I felt had more talent than myself was James Jones. And he has also been the only writer of any time for whom I felt any love.” —Norman Mailer

About the Author

James Jones (1921–1977) was one of the most accomplished American authors of the World War II generation. He served in the U.S. Army from 1939 to 1944, and was present at the attack on Pearl Harbor as well as the battle for Guadalcanal, where he was decorated with a purple heart and bronze star. Jones’s experiences informed his epic novels From Here to Eternity and The Thin Red Line. His other works include Some Came Running, The Pistol, Go to the Widow-Maker, The Ice-Cream Headache and Other Stories, The Merry Month of May, A Touch of Danger, Whistle, and To the End of the War—a book of previously unpublished fiction.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B004UNGYLM
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Open Road Media; Reprint edition (May 10, 2011)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 10, 2011
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 4225 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 752 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 out of 5 stars 38

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
James Jones

James Jones

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

James Jones (1921–1977) was one of the most accomplished American authors of the World War II generation. He served in the United States Army from 1939 to 1944, and was present at the attack on Pearl Harbor as well as the battle for Guadalcanal, where he was decorated with a Purple Heart and Bronze Star. Jones’s experiences informed his epic war novels From Here to Eternity and The Thin Red Line. His other works include Some Came Running, The Pistol, Go to the Widow-Maker, The Ice-Cream Headache and Other Stories, The Merry Month of May, A Touch of Danger, Whistle, and To the End of the War, a book of previously unpublished fiction.

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
4.2 out of 5
38 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Adam Teluk
5.0 out of 5 stars Marvellous
Reviewed in the United States on May 11, 2011
Verified Purchase
I have read this book twice. Now, when I have noticed that it was to be released for Kindle I've pre-ordered it immediately and I've already get caught into it. It is a truly masterpiece, though one overelooked throughout the years. It's been ages since last printed edition has been released and the Kindle edition is indeed a great news.

Basically it's a novel dealing with the eternal war of sexes. Here, set against the wanton atmosphere of 50's New York and rakish, alcohol driven Carribean hippy resorts, Jones unleashes his epic love- affair interlaced with diving, adultery and sheer life. It is a gripping story, without any cliches, easy choices and comforting implications.

All in all, one of the most powerfull novels ever written.
10 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
OBL
5.0 out of 5 stars One of America's greatest writers
Reviewed in the United States on January 5, 2013
Verified Purchase
You know you are reading a great book when you wish it would not end. James Jones books are like that and this is no exception. His characters are well developed and very human. While I was reading this during a cold Tennessee fall, I felt like I was in the warm waters of Jamaica thanks to Mr. Jones. While there is a lot of sex in this book it fits with the plot. A wonderful book. Read it and all of Mr. Jones' books. You will not be disappointed.
8 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Kindle Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Great Read
Reviewed in the United States on September 10, 2012
Verified Purchase
This is indeed a great read. As a long time scuba diver his descriptions of underwater experiences are nothing short of GREAT. A non diver could read this and know exactly what it is like. I greatly enjoyed the book - to a point. I won't spoil it for you but there came a point where I quit reading it. I had a great liking for the main character and I did not like what I knew was about to happen. This was at a time when my best friend had gone into hospice and would soon die. I did not need the big downer of what I saw happening in the book and that at the same time. I will go back and finish the book eventually. It is a great read and I recommend it to anyone.

One caution: there is a very definite adult theme in this book.
6 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Barbara Mangano
5.0 out of 5 stars I read this when it first came out and loved it, particularly since I spent a lot of ...
Reviewed in the United States on August 26, 2017
Verified Purchase
I read this when it first came out and loved it, particularly since I spent a lot of time in the Carribean. It also brings back memories of a more glamourous Manhattan.
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Patti Corcoran
2.0 out of 5 stars Go to the Widowmaker was such a disappointment. I found myself skipping so many pages
Reviewed in the United States on December 24, 2014
Verified Purchase
Disappointing. Go to the Widowmaker was such a disappointment. I found myself skipping so many pages. Some of the characters are interesting, none of them are memorable. It is set in Jamaica where the main character is trying to prove his manhood to himself by learning deep sea diving and spear fishing. There is an awful lot of drinking, partying, and diving - other than that - nothing happens.
5 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Seadog
5.0 out of 5 stars Great condition and got here ahead of schedule
Reviewed in the United States on November 25, 2014
Verified Purchase
Great condition and got here ahead of schedule. Good job and thanks for a really great (and under read) classic by a truly gifted and world famous author!
Helpful
 Report
Dorothy Charbonnier
5.0 out of 5 stars Written very lively...
Reviewed in the United States on September 13, 2019
Verified Purchase
Book came as expected
Helpful
 Report
Anand Inamdar
4.0 out of 5 stars Gripping and "Unputdownable"...
Reviewed in the United States on January 23, 2015
Verified Purchase
James Jones presents life as it is.. That makes this book gripping, when the subject of sea diving is not so commonly known or practiced. This along with a flowing narration of people and their everyday thinking.Powerful visualization !
3 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report

Top reviews from other countries

blaine marselB. Marsel
4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
Reviewed in Canada on September 24, 2015
Verified Purchase
some discoloration on edge of pages, but doesn't interfere with reading.
Report
Pete Mackay
5.0 out of 5 stars A lesser-known classic from the author of "From Here to Eternity"
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 23, 2015
Verified Purchase
I hesitated before paying £10 for this on Kindle. I discovered it when I was 20 and moments from the story have stayed with me for over 30 years. I took the plunge after re-reading the sample chapter 1 and I needn't have worried, it's a really interesting, involving tale.
One person found this helpful
 Report
Report an issue

Does this item contain inappropriate content?
Report
Do you believe that this item violates a copyright?
Report
Does this item contain quality or formatting issues?
Report