The Raft

This was a great survival story and showed presence of mind when they knew they only had a raft (that could at any time rip or be cut). They managed with incredible human spirit and the "will to live". Book is appropriate for all ages .

In 1942, the American military was heavily engaged in fighting the Japanese in the Pacific theater. After the devastating attack on Pearl Harbor, U. S. and Allied military forces were in full retreat everywhere. The U. S. aircraft carriers regularly sent up patrol plains searching for the enemy. At that time, navigation was not yet precise and radio silence had to be maintained. Therefore, a plane sent out sometimes had difficulty finding their way back. Such a plane was piloted by Chief Petty Officer Dixon and his crew of two, Tony Pastula and Gene Aldrich. Losing their bearings while on patrol, the plane ran out of fuel and splashed down, sinking quickly. It sank so fast that there was no time to recover their emergency rations, so they had little more than the blowup boat and the clothes they wore. For thirty-four days, they floated, drinking the rainwater they could capture and eating what raw fish and bird meat they could catch. Finally, they drifted to a small, inhabited island where the leader had a radio. They were able to send a message out and were rescued shortly after. This book is the story of their ordeal, how they managed to keep everything together as they floated across the Pacific It is a story of survival against the odds and is an uplifting story, one that was badly needed in 1942 when it appeared that the Japanese forces were unstoppable.

This is an account of 3 crewmembers of a ditched bomber surviving for 34 days in a very small, ill-equipped raft. The story is interesting enough to tell itself, so I felt that the straightforward writing style was quite appropriate.Although the book was actually written by a journalist, it is written in the first person as if the pilot, Harold Dixon, were telling the tale.The events occurred in early 1942, and the book was also published in 1942. The edition I read was the original, and did not mention John M. Waters anywhere, so I don't know why his name is listed as an author in the 1992 reprint. The fact that this book was written shortly after Pearl Harbor is borne home by the fact that there are several details (such as the location of the island where they washed up) that the author omits "for reasons of national security". Also, the jacket of the original 1942 edition says "When you have finished reading this book, don't just place it on a shelf. Our men need books as well as guns. Books build morale. Send this book today. Average book requires 6 cents postage." They give the address of the 4th Corps Area Headquarters in Atlanta.If you enjoy this sort of tale, you'll probably also like "Adrift: Seventy-six Days Lost at Sea", by Steve Callahan, a bit more philosophical account of his more recent lone ordeal in the Atlantic.

My ten year-old son and I looked forward to story time every night for three weeks until we finished this book.The tale takes you from beginning to end, one day at a time. It traces the emotional and physical waves along with endless waves of challenges. Protection from the sun, wind, and storms, struggling for every drop of water and scrap of food, and overcoming the hopelessness of being adrift, day after day after day after day - it is sobering, but tremendously entertaining.It was astonishing that these men were given little choice of survival gear. They had to make use of the few things they could grab from their sinking plane and the contents of their pockets. To read of the grief over their loss of a safety pin vividly punctuated the dire nature of their situation. Their ingenuity proved who is the "mother of invention" without a doubt. The book was not stiff or sloppy, like many historical accounts of adventure (Kon Tiki comes to mind). It was also a good discussion starter for topics like teamwork, values, and God. Fighting the earth to save your frail, floating, flesh is a timeless story line. There are no human villians, moral complexity, or social considerations outside of their bobbing 8-foot raft. It's a classic. Check it out, or buy a copy for yourself, your kids, and generations to come....

These three men held on to a hopeless cause and came out victorious. They were without food and water for much of the 34 days they were afloat. The answer to how they did it is probably at the heart of man's will to survive and stay alive. This book is easy to read and the kind of story that motivates one to do the best he can and never give up. It also makes one appreciate what he has a little more. We see that everything can be lost very quickly, as in the case of the downed plane in this book, and that we have to have the mental willpower to survive. Read this book and give it to everyone you know.

I am a high school English teacher and have used this book in my classes for over twenty years. This is a story that will capture the most reluctant readers and transport them to the South Pacific of 1942 where, along with Harold Dixon, Gene Alrich, and Tony Pastula, they will fight for their lives in a seemingly hopeless situation: adrift at sea in a four by eight foot rubber life raft for thirty-four days and nights -- an inspiring and memorable read!