At the Mercy of the Sea: The True Story of Three Sailors in a Caribbean Hurricane

This is a most excellent book which will sure become a sailing book classic. It tells the story how the paths of an American, an Australian, a Frenchman and a Brazilian in three different vessels crossed each other in the eyes of hurricane Lenny. With the insight of someone who seems to have lived their lives Kretschmer sketches us why they were sailing, what they loved about sailing, and why they were there when the hurricane struck. The story is told by someone well-versed at sailing, but one who doesn't forget to explain the technical terms to newbies, but also does not bother experienced sailors with long explanations. It seems details have been researched painstakingly. If you have ever dreamed about sailing the oceans, read this book.

Like the other reviewers, I really enjoyed this book and had a hard time putting it down. I wanted to mention that I believe this book will be a good read for both sailors and non-sailors. Kretschmer doesn't assume knowledge of sailing procedures and lingo. He does a good job of explaining sailing concepts so as not to lose readers with less exposure to the jargon of the sailing world. For experienced sailors, though, the description of what the various captains went through during their ordeals is gripping and informative. Kretschmer does an especially good job of putting together the pieces of what likely transpired during the various stages of each of the captains' journeys. Based on limited facts, Kretschmer relies on his vast knowledge of sailing vessels, weather, Caribbean locations, and the human psyche to extrapolate not only what the captains did during their last fateful days, but also what they must have been thinking. Kretschmer shows where each of the captains made their mistake, and explains the probable reasons for their decisions. He neither glorifies, nor condemns, his subjects. He shows that they are human. In the case of his friend Carl, he recreates Carl's final great achievement and, by doing this, celebrates that greatness that lies in every person, but that so often remains dormant and unseen. The fact that Kretschmer could bring all the individual pieces of these men's lives together into a cohesive, compelling story is, I think, the real achievement of this book.

This is not a sea story, but a story that takes place on the sea. It is a story of a man searching for meaning and relevance. It is about a man, who after spending his life chasing the American Dream, realizes that the American Dream only allows you to dream. So he sets off in search of something real. His reality proved to be a nightmare. Before I finished the Prologue, I could tell that this was a story about me. In fact, it is a story about many men just like Carl, the lead character. Men of "quiet desperation" as Thoreau so aptly put it. And before I was halfway through the book, I knew that I was going to miss Carl, even though I had never met him. The research was painstakingly detailed and accurate. The writing style was captivating. As I read, I felt the same exhaustion, frustration and fear as those that were in the hurricane. Like a movie watcher that knows danger lurks around the corner, I felt myself pleading with Carl to go east, just go east into the Atlantic and come back when its all over. I got the book on a Wednesday and finished it on Thursday evening. I couldn't put it down. John Kretschmer has officially crossed over from story teller to serious writer. I look forward to what he will give us next.

Kretschmer's new book about the bone chilling tail of a wrong way hurricane is bound to become a sailor's classic. Not only is the book a well written page turner that kept me on the edge of my seat, but it is filled with questions that every blue water sailor confronts when faced with difficult decisions at sea. Kretschmer's extensive knowledge of the subject is evident as he offers insights and thoughts about heavy weather strategy, survival tactics, and the decisions that were made by three brave sailors as they battled for their lives.

John Kretschmer has hit a home run with his new book - this is a very moving tale of the sea and hurricanes - and, even more, a moving tale of the people who go to sea on small sailing boats. I did not put the book down until it was finished. If you liked the Perfect Storm, this is better, partly because Kretschmer has been there himself, facing hurricanes on a small boat. This is a book about a tragedy, but is uplifiting at the same time. Great book.