Survive the Savage Sea: Sheridan House Maritime Classics

There are books that stand out in a person's life. This is such a book for me. I read this book back in the 1970's as a teenager. The story, images and lessons from it still stand out in my mind years later. That is a measure of the impact that it had on me and may have on others. I wasn't aware then how deep that went. Years later I am able to recount a great deal from that read despite the intervening time. That is a measure of its impact and the vivid nature of the images and experiences recounted. This is a story of survival. It is a true story. A family on a boat is set adrift when a pod of killer whales destroys their boat and they are set adrift. How they survive on a day to day basis learning the skills and discovering the hidden resources is progressively told. More than a dull recounting of the challenges that they face and the rescue that ultimately comes, this is a book that explores the relationships between family members as they reach within themselves to survive the storms, the sun, the sharks, dehydration and every other challenge that an unforgiving environment can present. I recommend this book for anyone, but in particular this is the type of book that can have an impact in the life of a young person who reads it. Especially in our western culture which is so overwrought by materialism and a sense of entitlement, this book has the ability, more-so than many others to pierce the veil of that thinking and present a story that is both riveting and also life-changing without coming across as moralistic or preaching. Minimum age to read should probably be about 12 or 13 as some of the situations and stories recounted are stark. But they are realistic and add to the impact and flavor of this excellent book.

THis book was incredible. I learned so much about survival skills from it and could not put it down. I am only 11, and even though this book is not quite for my age, I still loved it. A true story of family and working together.

This is one of the best survival adventure stories. The Robertsons are attempting a circumnavigation when their yacht is sunk by killer whales in the Pacific Ocean. With very few provisions, an inflatable raft (which later sinks) and a dinghy the Robertsons are able to survive 38 days on the ocean under extreme conditions.Dougal Robertson's account of the adventure is gripping, at sometimes understated and brutally honest. Robertson was probably not an easy man to get along with but his indomitability, his command presence and force of will, coupled with his wife's emotional strength, got their family through. It is a tremendous story of leadership under the most extreme circumstances. While looking up information on the Robertsons I was happy to find their own website, ... but was saddened to read that both Dougal and Lyn Robertson have since passed away. One of their twin sons however is preparing to embark on a round-the-world cruise with his own family soon.

Having read many survival and endurance books, I found this one exemplary. Written with quiet recollection - as only a log-keeping seaman could - he recounts both the inner and outer journey very well. I was appreciative of his honesty in the emotional shortcomings of himself and crew. You can imagine the difficulty of being so revealing of your own family in print! Without these insights, a reader would have been mislead about what it means to survive with others. I also listened to an unabridged book-on-tape, and the idea of a long story, well told, detail by detail was wonderful. For someone who has waited out storms on the sides of mountains, I appreciate long, detailed, unhurried stories. This is a wonderful book.

Having read many survival and endurance books, I found this one exemplary. Written with quiet recollection - as only a log-keeping seaman could - he recounts both the inner and outer journey very well. I was appreciative of his honesty in the emotional shortcomings of himself and crew. You can imagine the difficulty of being so revealing of your own family in print! Without these insights, a reader would have been mislead about what it means to survive with others. I also listened to an unabridged book-on-tape, and the idea of a long story, well told, detail by detail was wonderful. For someone who has waited out storms on the sides of mountains, I appreciate long, detailed, unhurried stories. This is a wonderful book.