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Adrift: Seventy-Six Days Lost at Sea
Before The Perfect Storm, before In the Heart of the Sea, Steven Callahan's dramatic tale of survival at sea was on the New York Times bestseller list for more than thirty-six weeks. In some ways the model for the new wave of adventure books, Adrift is an undeniable seafaring classic, a riveting firsthand account by the only man known to have survived more than a month alone at sea, fighting for his life in an inflatable raft after his small sloop capsized only six days out. Adrift is a must-have for any adventure library.
344 pages, Paperback
First published December 31, 1986
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25.5k people want to read
About the author
Steven Callahan
12Ìýbooks40ÌýfollowersSteven Callahan is an American author, naval architect, inventor, and sailor most notable for having survived for 76 days adrift on the Atlantic Ocean in a survival raft. Callahan recounted his ordeal in the best-selling book "Adrift: 76 days lost at sea", which was on the New York Times best-seller list for more than thirty-six weeks.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,161 reviews
February 8, 2017
10 Stars If anyone was going to get shipwrecked and survive alone on the Atlantic it was Steve Callahan. He was a delivery skipper sailing boats from one place to another and he very much wanted to do a single-handed across the Atlantic. He had studied books on surviving at sea, he'd bought all the correct gear, practised the manoeuvres necessary to get off a sinking boat as fast as possible and within hours of setting off from the Canaries, his boat sank.
There is nothing I can write further that wouldn't be a spoiler. Not a word. It's a fantastic book if you are a sailor or like real-life adventure stories or even just want a good read that isn't like any other book.
The rest of this has only a very small relationship to the book! I've sailed the Atlantic too. In a 34' catamaran with three friends. We set off from Las Palmas on Gran Canaria, as did the author, having sailed there from the UK. We sailed to Cape Verde (got machine-gunned by the police in Russian-made motorcycles with sidecars off Brava) and then, as the author did, although we were sailing different passages, got stuck in the doldrums. No wind for days, but waterspouts and squalls several times an hour.
We were supposed to go to the St Peter and Paul Archipelago and thence to Fernando de Norona. But there were such terrible storms for days, that we couldn't even get close to either the Archipelago or Fernado de Norona. The waves were so high that hitting one at the wrong angle (this is why you need someone good on the helm) felt like hitting wood and the boat would shudder and we would bounce inches up and then slam down on our bunks. This went on for three days and we all had bad backs.
I used to try to do the night watches so I didn't have to sleep when people couldn't see the sea. Actually you can see it in the dark as there is so much phosphorescence. This is the nearest I've ever been to a shipwreck, those terrible storms. Dolphins love storms though. Large pods of dolphins them used to come and play around the boat, especially at night.
I'd like to sail the Pacific. 40+ days at sea without seeing land. That would be an adventure.
Read Sept. 15-18th 2015. Reviewed 1 Feb 2016
There is nothing I can write further that wouldn't be a spoiler. Not a word. It's a fantastic book if you are a sailor or like real-life adventure stories or even just want a good read that isn't like any other book.
The rest of this has only a very small relationship to the book! I've sailed the Atlantic too. In a 34' catamaran with three friends. We set off from Las Palmas on Gran Canaria, as did the author, having sailed there from the UK. We sailed to Cape Verde (got machine-gunned by the police in Russian-made motorcycles with sidecars off Brava) and then, as the author did, although we were sailing different passages, got stuck in the doldrums. No wind for days, but waterspouts and squalls several times an hour.
We were supposed to go to the St Peter and Paul Archipelago and thence to Fernando de Norona. But there were such terrible storms for days, that we couldn't even get close to either the Archipelago or Fernado de Norona. The waves were so high that hitting one at the wrong angle (this is why you need someone good on the helm) felt like hitting wood and the boat would shudder and we would bounce inches up and then slam down on our bunks. This went on for three days and we all had bad backs.
I used to try to do the night watches so I didn't have to sleep when people couldn't see the sea. Actually you can see it in the dark as there is so much phosphorescence. This is the nearest I've ever been to a shipwreck, those terrible storms. Dolphins love storms though. Large pods of dolphins them used to come and play around the boat, especially at night.
I'd like to sail the Pacific. 40+ days at sea without seeing land. That would be an adventure.
Read Sept. 15-18th 2015. Reviewed 1 Feb 2016
April 8, 2017
Should be required reading for anyone going out to sea in any type vessel.
This book being a true account it moves along at the pace it simply must,
and the adventure within takes us to the very limits of human survival.
This book being a true account it moves along at the pace it simply must,
and the adventure within takes us to the very limits of human survival.
March 16, 2016
It all begins with entering a race........and once his beloved SOLO is lost, what if's and survival is the name of the game for Steven Callahan's 1982 life-raft ADRIFT across half the Atlantic Ocean.
Often wet, cold or overheated, always starving thirsty or scared, with sores and ulcers plaguing him, and never-ending attacks by the bumping dorados, Callahan continues his daily routines amidst unbelievably harsh conditions for 76 long days.
While at times a bit too detailed and descriptive (for me) still a great true-life adventure story.
March 23, 2018
After 76 days at sea, living off very little water and what fish he could catch, he was saved and taken to the hospital. The doctor walked over to him while he was in the waiting room and said, “What’s the matter with you?� That was the only time I laughed during the reading of this book, because it should have been obvious and because his reply was, “I am hungry.�
This true adventure/survival story was almost as good as Kon-Tiki, but it still gets 5 stars from me and placed into my favorite book shelf as did Kon-Tiki.
This wasn’t an adventure that he had planned, and he probably would not have called it one, because his only reason for being on a raft was that his boat was hit by debris and had sunk, but before sinking he had opened his raft and had been was able to gather a few needed supplies off his boat. And if he had not studied sea survival he may not have made it. He had a way to distill water, even though he could only collect a small amount of it each day, and he had the means to fish. I couldn’t imagine eating raw fish, much less eating every part of it, even its eyes. And if the fish hadn’t surrounded his raft during his entire trip, then I don’t know what he would have done. Starvation comes to mind. The fish bumping the bottom of the raft was unnerving to him, as it would be to me. Having sharks swim by was even worse. And then he had to continually fix leaks and pump air into the raft, and with each day he was growing weaker. The worse leak was when he had speared a fish and in the fight to kill it, his spear cut a hole in the bottom layer of his raft, and it deflated, causing the raft to lower itself in the water and flop around. Pages and pages were written of his survival, but not once did I become bored.
I thought of how much I feared the ocean or any deep body of water, yet I thought that it would have been exciting to sail around the world like Jack London had or to have been on Kon-Tiki. Not once did I envy Steven Callahan though; his was not a planned trip. I also thought of the time my friend Cathy and I took a sailboat ride in San Francisco Bay and how we got wet with cold salty water that kept hitting us whenever the boat leaned a certain way, and how horrible that felt. Maybe if the sailboat was larger, I thought, I might enjoy it. And perhaps my fear of the water came when I was 6 or 7 years old and my dad had taken me out on a bay in CA, and I was afraid that an octopus was going to climb on board and grab me, or maybe I had dreamed it all after watching a movie with an octopus killing people who were onboard a ship. The author had these kinds of fears too, but they were real, but of course he never mentioned fearing an octopus.
This true adventure/survival story was almost as good as Kon-Tiki, but it still gets 5 stars from me and placed into my favorite book shelf as did Kon-Tiki.
This wasn’t an adventure that he had planned, and he probably would not have called it one, because his only reason for being on a raft was that his boat was hit by debris and had sunk, but before sinking he had opened his raft and had been was able to gather a few needed supplies off his boat. And if he had not studied sea survival he may not have made it. He had a way to distill water, even though he could only collect a small amount of it each day, and he had the means to fish. I couldn’t imagine eating raw fish, much less eating every part of it, even its eyes. And if the fish hadn’t surrounded his raft during his entire trip, then I don’t know what he would have done. Starvation comes to mind. The fish bumping the bottom of the raft was unnerving to him, as it would be to me. Having sharks swim by was even worse. And then he had to continually fix leaks and pump air into the raft, and with each day he was growing weaker. The worse leak was when he had speared a fish and in the fight to kill it, his spear cut a hole in the bottom layer of his raft, and it deflated, causing the raft to lower itself in the water and flop around. Pages and pages were written of his survival, but not once did I become bored.
I thought of how much I feared the ocean or any deep body of water, yet I thought that it would have been exciting to sail around the world like Jack London had or to have been on Kon-Tiki. Not once did I envy Steven Callahan though; his was not a planned trip. I also thought of the time my friend Cathy and I took a sailboat ride in San Francisco Bay and how we got wet with cold salty water that kept hitting us whenever the boat leaned a certain way, and how horrible that felt. Maybe if the sailboat was larger, I thought, I might enjoy it. And perhaps my fear of the water came when I was 6 or 7 years old and my dad had taken me out on a bay in CA, and I was afraid that an octopus was going to climb on board and grab me, or maybe I had dreamed it all after watching a movie with an octopus killing people who were onboard a ship. The author had these kinds of fears too, but they were real, but of course he never mentioned fearing an octopus.
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April 8, 2015LOVE LOVE LOVED this book. I'm a serious oceanophile(?) and seek any and all books associated with sailing/shipwrecks/stranded at sea and this book captured all of them together. Although it sounds weird, I loved living with the author on his sordid journey. I could almost feel the saltwater chafing his skin...feel the sharks poking at the bottom of the raft...smell the rotting fish as they hung from his makeshift drying racks - I loved every moment (this I admit sitting in the comfort of my own home, far from any suffering...although Wisconsin IS pretty chilly this time of year...)
This author brings you right along with him and you'll often wonder if you could have survived the journey...or would you have succumbed to the wrath of the sea. I'd like to think I'd have been successful, but in all honesty I'm sure I wouldn't have made it past seven days.
There are a lot of nautical and navigation terms throughout the book, but I felt like these enhanced the journey, rather than hindering my understanding. One of my favorite books of all time.
This author brings you right along with him and you'll often wonder if you could have survived the journey...or would you have succumbed to the wrath of the sea. I'd like to think I'd have been successful, but in all honesty I'm sure I wouldn't have made it past seven days.
There are a lot of nautical and navigation terms throughout the book, but I felt like these enhanced the journey, rather than hindering my understanding. One of my favorite books of all time.
February 9, 2017
I found “Adrift� during the documentation process for the novel I was writing that moment: Luces en el Mar (Lights on the Sea). After reading the synopsis and discover that the story of Steven Callahan was real I felt more and more curious about reading it. “Adrift� is a great novel for those readers who like stories of survival, where the sea is protagonist and antagonist and above all, lovers of adventures, ADVENTURES in capital letters. Callahan's story is so vivid and real that you feel immersed in the odyssey of his journey from the beginning. You can feel his anguish, his pain and his despair, but also his happiness and his relief. It's a short but really, really intense story that I recommend reading to all the fans of survival books like Diary of a Shipwrecked or Life of Pi.
Spanish version:
Descubrà el libro A la Deriva durante mi proceso de documentación para la escritura de la novela que estaba escribiendo en ese momento: Luces en el Mar. La verdad que al leer la sinopsis y descubrir que la historia de Steven Callahan sucedió de verdad aún me entraron más ganas de leerlo. A la Deriva es un libro genial para todos aquellos lectores que les gusten las historias de supervivencia, donde el mar es a la vez protagonista y antagonista y sobre todo las aventuras, aventuras en mayúsculas. El relato de Callahan es un relato tan vÃvido y real que puedes sentir su angustia, su dolor y su desesperación, al igual que su felicidad y alivio. Es un relato corto pero intenso que recomiendo leer a todos los fans de libros de supervivencia como Diario de un Náufrago o la Vida de Pi.
Spanish version:
Descubrà el libro A la Deriva durante mi proceso de documentación para la escritura de la novela que estaba escribiendo en ese momento: Luces en el Mar. La verdad que al leer la sinopsis y descubrir que la historia de Steven Callahan sucedió de verdad aún me entraron más ganas de leerlo. A la Deriva es un libro genial para todos aquellos lectores que les gusten las historias de supervivencia, donde el mar es a la vez protagonista y antagonista y sobre todo las aventuras, aventuras en mayúsculas. El relato de Callahan es un relato tan vÃvido y real que puedes sentir su angustia, su dolor y su desesperación, al igual que su felicidad y alivio. Es un relato corto pero intenso que recomiendo leer a todos los fans de libros de supervivencia como Diario de un Náufrago o la Vida de Pi.
June 16, 2018
My son had to read a non-fiction informative book for school and this is what he picked with my assistance. When he has to read for school, I read the book too to try and encourage his reading habits and make it more enjoyable for him because he's at that age where the only thing he wants to read is sports headlines, video game stats and the titles of YouTube videos.
Unfortunately we both regretted picking this book almost immediately. The author's excessive overuse of adjectives and flowery prose to describe the simplest things made the book completely unreadable. I think even the author got tired of hearing himself talk because I did notice it was toned down some toward the end. If my son didn't have to read this for school we wouldn't have even made it that far. We were both ready to DNF it just a couple of chapters in. I kept thinking we couldn't have picked a worse book to try and get him interested in reading for pleasure. He also had to take an A.R. test on it and it was pretty difficult. There's SO much information dumped throughout the book that it was really hard to remember it all and try to pinpoint what might be on the test, even for me.
I definitely would not recommend this for a 12 year old boy or as an AR selection.
Unfortunately we both regretted picking this book almost immediately. The author's excessive overuse of adjectives and flowery prose to describe the simplest things made the book completely unreadable. I think even the author got tired of hearing himself talk because I did notice it was toned down some toward the end. If my son didn't have to read this for school we wouldn't have even made it that far. We were both ready to DNF it just a couple of chapters in. I kept thinking we couldn't have picked a worse book to try and get him interested in reading for pleasure. He also had to take an A.R. test on it and it was pretty difficult. There's SO much information dumped throughout the book that it was really hard to remember it all and try to pinpoint what might be on the test, even for me.
I definitely would not recommend this for a 12 year old boy or as an AR selection.
December 21, 2022
Stories of survival fascinate me. Part of it is a kind of morbid curiosity as to how much punishment and deprivation the human frame can take. Part of it is the sheer drama of a life and death struggle, in which normally petty details (whether you have this tool or that, for example) become the difference between life and death. And a part of it is the hope that such stories will help to put my own problems into perspective. This last part has, so far, failed to materialize. Though my problems are embarrassingly easy compared to those faced by a man lost at sea, I am still quite capable of suffering panic attacks as I contemplate their solutions.
I may be unimproved, but at least I enjoyed an exciting read. Steven Callahan’s story is intrinsically gripping and well-told. We are fortunate that, of all the people who could have been stranded at sea, somebody with a literary bent suffered this fate. For one, he took careful notes during his ordeal, which helps to fill the narrative with fascinating detail. And Callahan does not only narrate his doings; he attempts to capture how his psychological state shifted as the time wore on, and what lessons he drew from the experience. The final effect is a wonderfully immersive book, which evokes both the physical experiences of living in an inflatable dingy (salt sores, hunger, thirst, atrophying muscles, cold and heat) and the mental and emotional tolls that such suffering produces.
Callahan was reasonably well-prepared for this nightmare. He had ample experience at sea, and managed to escape his boat (likely sunk after collision with a whale) with vital gear. Even so, surviving required him to be resourceful and resolute in the extreme. He had to repair broken equipment, patch up his boat, learn to fish and collect rainwater, and simply carry on in the face of one hardship after another. Most people—myself included—would have been toast. Many people�maybe myself included—would have just given up. If anything, then, this book is a testament to the will to survive—the willingness to push on, despite every obstacle. I really do wish that I could internalize such determination, that I could face my own trifling difficulties as Callahan faced down the open ocean. I will have to settle for a book review, I suppose.
As a final thought, it is interesting to compare Callahan’s experience with that of the sailors of the whaleship Essex, recounted in Nathaniel Philbrick’s excellent book, In the Heart of the Sea. Callahan, like several other survivors of sea disasters, was able to survive by fishing and, in the last part of his ordeal, by gathering rainwater. The sailors of the Essex, however, did not even attempt to fish, and in one boat they had to resort to cannibalism. Come to think of it, the sailors aboard Magellan’s ships had to rely on their store of putrid water and rancid bread as they crossed the Pacific, and many died of scurvy. José Salvador Alvarenga, meanwhile, was able to survive more than a year at sea without suffering from scurvy by consuming sea birds and turtles—which contain vitamin C. Were sailors in the past ignorant of how to gather food from the sea, or is Callahan’s strategy impractical for a larger group of people? I am sure there is somebody out there who could answer this question.
I may be unimproved, but at least I enjoyed an exciting read. Steven Callahan’s story is intrinsically gripping and well-told. We are fortunate that, of all the people who could have been stranded at sea, somebody with a literary bent suffered this fate. For one, he took careful notes during his ordeal, which helps to fill the narrative with fascinating detail. And Callahan does not only narrate his doings; he attempts to capture how his psychological state shifted as the time wore on, and what lessons he drew from the experience. The final effect is a wonderfully immersive book, which evokes both the physical experiences of living in an inflatable dingy (salt sores, hunger, thirst, atrophying muscles, cold and heat) and the mental and emotional tolls that such suffering produces.
Callahan was reasonably well-prepared for this nightmare. He had ample experience at sea, and managed to escape his boat (likely sunk after collision with a whale) with vital gear. Even so, surviving required him to be resourceful and resolute in the extreme. He had to repair broken equipment, patch up his boat, learn to fish and collect rainwater, and simply carry on in the face of one hardship after another. Most people—myself included—would have been toast. Many people�maybe myself included—would have just given up. If anything, then, this book is a testament to the will to survive—the willingness to push on, despite every obstacle. I really do wish that I could internalize such determination, that I could face my own trifling difficulties as Callahan faced down the open ocean. I will have to settle for a book review, I suppose.
As a final thought, it is interesting to compare Callahan’s experience with that of the sailors of the whaleship Essex, recounted in Nathaniel Philbrick’s excellent book, In the Heart of the Sea. Callahan, like several other survivors of sea disasters, was able to survive by fishing and, in the last part of his ordeal, by gathering rainwater. The sailors of the Essex, however, did not even attempt to fish, and in one boat they had to resort to cannibalism. Come to think of it, the sailors aboard Magellan’s ships had to rely on their store of putrid water and rancid bread as they crossed the Pacific, and many died of scurvy. José Salvador Alvarenga, meanwhile, was able to survive more than a year at sea without suffering from scurvy by consuming sea birds and turtles—which contain vitamin C. Were sailors in the past ignorant of how to gather food from the sea, or is Callahan’s strategy impractical for a larger group of people? I am sure there is somebody out there who could answer this question.
February 4, 2014
A fast-moving and captivating book that grabs hold and carries you right through the end.
So why three stars? Well, Callahan is not the most reliable narrator. Once the wild ride is over, the weird inconsistencies that you didn't have time to think about mid-read start to gnaw at the edge of your consciousness. Then there is Callahan's ego, which is big enough to capsize his ship even without a rogue wave. The too careful minimization of his errors, and his tendency towards inflated descriptions of his own epic heroism, creativity, and genius also loom larger the farther I got from the end of the book.
Overall this book is a selfish indulgence on my part; a dysfunctional relationship that ended suddenly and afterwards it's just so obvious how you were used, and you hate how you let yourself get exploited like that, but you think about the sex all the time and you miss it sometimes....
I would read this again, but hate myself for it.
So why three stars? Well, Callahan is not the most reliable narrator. Once the wild ride is over, the weird inconsistencies that you didn't have time to think about mid-read start to gnaw at the edge of your consciousness. Then there is Callahan's ego, which is big enough to capsize his ship even without a rogue wave. The too careful minimization of his errors, and his tendency towards inflated descriptions of his own epic heroism, creativity, and genius also loom larger the farther I got from the end of the book.
Overall this book is a selfish indulgence on my part; a dysfunctional relationship that ended suddenly and afterwards it's just so obvious how you were used, and you hate how you let yourself get exploited like that, but you think about the sex all the time and you miss it sometimes....
I would read this again, but hate myself for it.
January 19, 2022
Some books are great because the story is astounding and unique. This book is great for that reason. After his boat sank, this guy survived alone on a raft for two and a half months across 1,800 miles of ocean, which is miraculous. He shares the details of how he rigged the few supplies he had so he could spear fish and catch rainwater, which is fascinating. But the most powerful part of the story is when he reveals what the experience felt like, especially how he felt about the dorados--the fat, beautiful fish he had to catch, kill and eat to survive. Director Ang Lee hired Steven Callahan as a consultant during the making of Life of Pi, and you can see Callahan's influence all over the movie, especially in the fishing scenes.
Amazing. Highly recommend.
Amazing. Highly recommend.
July 5, 2017
I know this man survived a harrowing ordeal that honestly so many others wouldn't or couldn't, and that's impressive. And I know that he put serious effort into the descriptions complete with diagrams, etc., for those of us who are not familiar with sailing, and that he isn't a writer by trade. But I didn't really get into this book until like day 50 something and then only for a day or two. In the beginning I was bored to be frank as I knew he was going to be rescued, obviously, and I just found it too difficult to really connect to his situation and the details he was providing no matter how much he tried to describe it all. I found some of the fishing descriptions intriguing, but I was about ready for his rescue super early on (as I imagine he was too!).
February 5, 2014
The entire book is set in a small life raft where the author struggles to catch fish, capture water, plug holes and stay alive for 76 days. It's monotonous stuff that is somehow riveting. And it made me realize that I have nothin' to complain about....ever.
June 24, 2016
This is an outstanding book. The struggle for survival for two and a half months would have made a compelling, page-turner even if written by a terrible author. It just so happens that style rivals the substance.
Survival story junkies will revel in all the gory details, from his constant attention to water retrieval to the nuances of spear-fishing to keeping his deteriorating raft afloat for 76 days. Amateur psychologists will enjoy his inner dialogue, the rational consciousness scolding his fearful, despondent self for wanting to panic and give up. Those looking for a story of redemption won't be disappointed either as he notes this experience as making him forever appreciative of the fact that "to be well fed, painless and in the company of friends and loved ones are privileges too few enjoy in this often brutal world".
Perhaps most impressive is his refusal to thump his chest and pride himself on coming out on top in the end. His notes his flaws that were exposed during the ordeal, scoffs at the suggestion that he might be a hero and goes out of his way to sing the praises of locals who treated him like a long lost friend when he finally made it to shore.
Perhaps most surprisingly, the parts of the tale where he gets (for lack of a better word) spiritual, don't come off as sanctimonious or maudlin. He is able to speak of the beauty of the uncaring sea and the deep connection to the fish that provide his only food and company without getting on my nerves (which is quite a feat!).
Can't recommend this book more. So enjoyable and so much to teach about what struggle can do to help you find richness in your life.
Survival story junkies will revel in all the gory details, from his constant attention to water retrieval to the nuances of spear-fishing to keeping his deteriorating raft afloat for 76 days. Amateur psychologists will enjoy his inner dialogue, the rational consciousness scolding his fearful, despondent self for wanting to panic and give up. Those looking for a story of redemption won't be disappointed either as he notes this experience as making him forever appreciative of the fact that "to be well fed, painless and in the company of friends and loved ones are privileges too few enjoy in this often brutal world".
Perhaps most impressive is his refusal to thump his chest and pride himself on coming out on top in the end. His notes his flaws that were exposed during the ordeal, scoffs at the suggestion that he might be a hero and goes out of his way to sing the praises of locals who treated him like a long lost friend when he finally made it to shore.
Perhaps most surprisingly, the parts of the tale where he gets (for lack of a better word) spiritual, don't come off as sanctimonious or maudlin. He is able to speak of the beauty of the uncaring sea and the deep connection to the fish that provide his only food and company without getting on my nerves (which is quite a feat!).
Can't recommend this book more. So enjoyable and so much to teach about what struggle can do to help you find richness in your life.
March 13, 2013
I heard the author interviewed in connection with his consulting with Ang Lee for the movie Life of Pi. This is the story of his 76 days lost at sea, with close to nothing to sustain him but his knowledge and endurance. He is a thoughtful observer of himself and of the world around him. His experience reinforces his sense of being a tiny morsel in the universe not its center. He suffers physically and emotionally but something drives him on and he arrives in the Caribbean, not far from where he intended to sail before his boat sank, where he's picked up by fishermen. They tell him that they rarely come to that side of the island to fish, but did that day. After they pull him aboard, they fish their catch before heading back to their village. Callahan gratefully waits as they pull in fish that might have been the ones accompanying him across the sea.
I'd recommend this book to anyone interested in thinking about existence, the universe, and human limits. I suppose if you love the sea and boats, you'd like it too.
I'd recommend this book to anyone interested in thinking about existence, the universe, and human limits. I suppose if you love the sea and boats, you'd like it too.
August 14, 2022
What an amazing real-life survival story. After his one-man sailboat sunk in February 1982, Callahan drifted alone on an inflatable raft in the Atlantic Ocean for 76 days. His story is much more exciting, and more reflective, than you might imagine.
August 28, 2010
After his sailboat sinks in the Atlantic, Callahan is left to survive on a small life raft. (Alone! Eek!) Of course it removes a layer of suspense knowing that he survived (obviously, since he wrote the book), but there was still excellent tension throughout, as he was tossed about in the unforgiving ocean.
While it doesn't have the journalistic edge/drive that you might find in one of Krakauer's books, I found Adrift to be quite well-written. It is as much about his struggle to stay focused and keep himself strong as it is about his constant battle with sea water, uncooperative equipment, and his failing raft. It's especially well-worth the read if you appreciate ingenuity in situations like this. True, he was an experienced sailor, but keeping the presence of mind to come up with the fixes that he does makes it all the more impressive.
While it doesn't have the journalistic edge/drive that you might find in one of Krakauer's books, I found Adrift to be quite well-written. It is as much about his struggle to stay focused and keep himself strong as it is about his constant battle with sea water, uncooperative equipment, and his failing raft. It's especially well-worth the read if you appreciate ingenuity in situations like this. True, he was an experienced sailor, but keeping the presence of mind to come up with the fixes that he does makes it all the more impressive.
July 31, 2012
I picked up this book when my family rented a beach place for vacation and I was looking for something to read. I'd finished my own book already and it was the only one that grabbed my attention on the owners' shelf.
Let me say that I did not expect to like this book. I read the last couple chapters first, just skimming out of curiosity and boredom...and then proceeded to get hooked and start from the beginning. Reading a book like this on the beach was quite an experience, and it's a riveting survival story. I have good memories associated with reading it, of course, and the sheer surprise that I was so enjoying something so different from what I usually read thrilled me. Stories like this, so raw, so real, so TRUE, are what biographical/memoir-type books are all about.
This book is full of feeling. Maybe it's not for everyone, but it's certainly worth a look.
Let me say that I did not expect to like this book. I read the last couple chapters first, just skimming out of curiosity and boredom...and then proceeded to get hooked and start from the beginning. Reading a book like this on the beach was quite an experience, and it's a riveting survival story. I have good memories associated with reading it, of course, and the sheer surprise that I was so enjoying something so different from what I usually read thrilled me. Stories like this, so raw, so real, so TRUE, are what biographical/memoir-type books are all about.
This book is full of feeling. Maybe it's not for everyone, but it's certainly worth a look.
March 8, 2009
Despite some of the negative reviews, I found this book bordering on poetic. For being a survival story it has some pretty amazing writing... great example for teaching double voice (Callahan speaks to the various imaginary crew members inside his head)... great recommend for YA teen boy... I started it this morning and couldn't put it down.
May 12, 2023
"Who would believe that I, chronic complainer and impatient man of the ages, would ever look upon a lump of raw fish and a pint of water as wealth?"
Adrift was an incredible tale of survival and resilience under extreme conditions. I love books about extraordinary real-life sagas like this, so I put it on my "to-read" list as soon as I came across it.
Author is an American writer, naval architect, inventor, and sailor. In 1981, he survived for 76 days adrift on the Atlantic Ocean in a liferaft; which is the basis for this book.
Steven Callahan:
The book gets off to a great start, with a well-written intro. Callahan drops this quote:
Callahan writes with a naturally engaging style that should have no trouble holding the reader's attention. The formatting of the book is akin to a journal, and the narrative proceeds in a chronological fashion; with a day-to-day account of his time at sea. The book also contains many illustrations, which were done by the author. A nice touch; as they added some interesting context to the broader story.
Callahan's small boat, "Solo"
What was meant to be a transatlantic crossing in a small vessel turned into a disaster, the results of which are told in these pages. Callahan talks about the originally planned trip here:
I'll refrain from telling the reader of this review too much more about what happens next, because I don't want to spoil the book for anyone.
I will say, however that I was really surprised to hear how often sharks attacked his small life raft. There are countless accounts of sharks biting the raft, ramming it, and rubbing their abrasive skin on it.
[Thanks, I'll just add this to the other couple dozen terrifying accounts of sharks from books I've read, and be fearful of swimming in deep ocean water forever.]
(aka Mahi Mahi) also rammed the raft regularly, too. Callahan mentions that this happened multiple times per day. Jesus Christ...
I will include the book's here, mainly for my own future reference, but also for anyone else interested. It summarizes the entire ordeal, as well as mentions what Callahan thought was responsible for sinking his craft in the first place:
***
Adrift was a super-interesting account of a real-life saga of true grit. If you are a fan of this genre like I am, then this one would make a fine addition to your shelf.
5 stars.
Adrift was an incredible tale of survival and resilience under extreme conditions. I love books about extraordinary real-life sagas like this, so I put it on my "to-read" list as soon as I came across it.
Author is an American writer, naval architect, inventor, and sailor. In 1981, he survived for 76 days adrift on the Atlantic Ocean in a liferaft; which is the basis for this book.
Steven Callahan:
The book gets off to a great start, with a well-written intro. Callahan drops this quote:
"It is always difficult to decide where a story begins and where it ends. However, some experiences—a romantic evening, a weekend retreat, or a voyage—have fairly distinct dividing lines. They are what I call "whole experiences." To a large degree, the first twenty-nine years of my life represent one whole experience that rests outside the scope of this book. But within those years are the seeds of this story. People often ask me how I got myself into such a fix in the first place. How did I know what to do? Was the boat I lost new or had it been tried before? Why was I sailing offshore in such a small boat? The answers to these questions are an integral part of the story, its foundation. The foundation was laid in 1964, when, at age twelve, I began sailing..."
Callahan writes with a naturally engaging style that should have no trouble holding the reader's attention. The formatting of the book is akin to a journal, and the narrative proceeds in a chronological fashion; with a day-to-day account of his time at sea. The book also contains many illustrations, which were done by the author. A nice touch; as they added some interesting context to the broader story.
Callahan's small boat, "Solo"
What was meant to be a transatlantic crossing in a small vessel turned into a disaster, the results of which are told in these pages. Callahan talks about the originally planned trip here:
"For me the crossing was more of an inner voyage and a pilgrimage, of sorts. It would also serve as a measuring stick for my competence as a seaman, a designer, and a craftsman. I figured that if I made it to England safely, I'd have accomplished every major goal I'd ever set for myself. From England I would continue south and west, measuring Solo's performance in a singlehanded transatlantic race called the Mini-Transat. That would carry me to Antigua. In the spring I would return to New England, thereby completing a circumnavigation of the North Atlantic. To qualify for the Mini-Transat, I had to sail six hundred miles alone in Solo, so I entered the Bermuda 1�2 Race and sailed from Newport to Bermuda. From there I would make the crossing to England with Chris."
I'll refrain from telling the reader of this review too much more about what happens next, because I don't want to spoil the book for anyone.
I will say, however that I was really surprised to hear how often sharks attacked his small life raft. There are countless accounts of sharks biting the raft, ramming it, and rubbing their abrasive skin on it.
[Thanks, I'll just add this to the other couple dozen terrifying accounts of sharks from books I've read, and be fearful of swimming in deep ocean water forever.]
(aka Mahi Mahi) also rammed the raft regularly, too. Callahan mentions that this happened multiple times per day. Jesus Christ...
I will include the book's here, mainly for my own future reference, but also for anyone else interested. It summarizes the entire ordeal, as well as mentions what Callahan thought was responsible for sinking his craft in the first place:
***
Adrift was a super-interesting account of a real-life saga of true grit. If you are a fan of this genre like I am, then this one would make a fine addition to your shelf.
5 stars.
November 9, 2018
Adrift is about one man's solitary journey, both internal and external, on the perilous ledge between life and death. Steven Callahan is attempting to cross the Atlantic Ocean from the Canary Islands to Antigua, but before he departs, an elderly fisherman points to his vessel, the 21' long Napoleon Solo, and says, "In such a small boat? Tonto!" (Fool) The rest of the journey is fraught with danger, starting from when the Napoleon Solo capsizes and sinks, forcing Callahan to abandon ship in a rubber lifeboat.
Anyone battling demons of their own will find solace in Callahan's struggle to survive, which is a metaphor for all mens' struggles to survive an often hostile world with often insurmountable odds.
"I imagine two stone-faced poker players throwing chips into a pile. One player is named Rescue and the other is Death. The stakes keep getting bigger and bigger. The pile of chips now stands as tall as a man and as big around as a raft. Somebody is going to win soon."
The ocean, the sharks, the weather, and hunger are all metaphors for the demons we all battle on a daily basis: joblessness, despair, jealousy, hatred, vengeance. Yet, despite the terrible privations he experiences, Callahan also experiences moments of profound solace:
"As I look out of the raft, I see God's face in the smooth waves, His grace in the dorado's swim, feel His breath against my cheek as it sweeps down from the sky. I see that all creation is made in His image."
A truly remarkable tale of survival against the odds, "Adrift" is a a great gift for anyone going through a crisis. It will remind you that "...to be well fed, painless, and in the company of friends and loved ones are privileges too few enjoy in this often brutal world." Well said Callahan!
Anyone battling demons of their own will find solace in Callahan's struggle to survive, which is a metaphor for all mens' struggles to survive an often hostile world with often insurmountable odds.
"I imagine two stone-faced poker players throwing chips into a pile. One player is named Rescue and the other is Death. The stakes keep getting bigger and bigger. The pile of chips now stands as tall as a man and as big around as a raft. Somebody is going to win soon."
The ocean, the sharks, the weather, and hunger are all metaphors for the demons we all battle on a daily basis: joblessness, despair, jealousy, hatred, vengeance. Yet, despite the terrible privations he experiences, Callahan also experiences moments of profound solace:
"As I look out of the raft, I see God's face in the smooth waves, His grace in the dorado's swim, feel His breath against my cheek as it sweeps down from the sky. I see that all creation is made in His image."
A truly remarkable tale of survival against the odds, "Adrift" is a a great gift for anyone going through a crisis. It will remind you that "...to be well fed, painless, and in the company of friends and loved ones are privileges too few enjoy in this often brutal world." Well said Callahan!
March 8, 2018
I´d wanted to read this book for ages for a mixture of reasons. I like a decent survival story but mainly I am fascinated by the open ocean - the vast, scary scale of it. The idea of falling off a boat and being lost in the middle of that endless blue desert, with all that´s in it and above it, is a thought which fascinates, terrifies and amuses me. So I wanted to read this book to find out what Steven Callahan made of it - after all, he did it.
An experienced sailor, Callahan´s small, well-equipped boat went down in a storm and he spent the next 76 days in a life raft, eating any fish he could catch and drinking whatever he could manage with tupperware boxes and sills.
All this is fascinating enough but it is the book´s style which, in the end, I didn´t enjoy. Written in the present tense, overwrought, it didn´t, for me, tally with the author´s reflective and moving conclusions drawn in the last chapters.
Early on he says something about always being in a state of fear and nervousness although he didn´t want to put this on every page - I don´t know why not.
A note from his diary is wonderful - "I am seeing heaven from a seat in hell".
In the end, a good read but flawed. And calling the book "76 days lost at sea" and then making a point of saying "Day 1", "Day 43" etc, doesn´t help with the reading pleasure.
An experienced sailor, Callahan´s small, well-equipped boat went down in a storm and he spent the next 76 days in a life raft, eating any fish he could catch and drinking whatever he could manage with tupperware boxes and sills.
All this is fascinating enough but it is the book´s style which, in the end, I didn´t enjoy. Written in the present tense, overwrought, it didn´t, for me, tally with the author´s reflective and moving conclusions drawn in the last chapters.
Early on he says something about always being in a state of fear and nervousness although he didn´t want to put this on every page - I don´t know why not.
A note from his diary is wonderful - "I am seeing heaven from a seat in hell".
In the end, a good read but flawed. And calling the book "76 days lost at sea" and then making a point of saying "Day 1", "Day 43" etc, doesn´t help with the reading pleasure.
April 29, 2012
This was one of the most riveting books I've ever read.
Someone told me about this book back in the 1980s and I knew that I had to read it.
Steven Callahan, an accomplished sailor, decided to build his own sailboat after he and his wife divorced. Once built, he sailed it to England where he intended to enter a boat race that takes place every year. The race is from England to the Caribbean.
He is forced to drop out of the race because his boat is damaged in a storm. When it is repaired, he decides to follow the race course to the Caribbean on his own. One night when he is sleeping in his bunk, the boat is struck by an unknown object. The author says that it may have been a whale. His boat is taking on water and he if forced to abandon ship.
For the next 79 days, he is forced to survive in a small life raft. As survival equipment fails and is repaired becomes less and less reliable, you wonder if he will be able to keep going. Of course you know he does because he lives to write the book.
Anyone who wants to read a book about one mans determination to survive would be well advised to consider this one.
Someone told me about this book back in the 1980s and I knew that I had to read it.
Steven Callahan, an accomplished sailor, decided to build his own sailboat after he and his wife divorced. Once built, he sailed it to England where he intended to enter a boat race that takes place every year. The race is from England to the Caribbean.
He is forced to drop out of the race because his boat is damaged in a storm. When it is repaired, he decides to follow the race course to the Caribbean on his own. One night when he is sleeping in his bunk, the boat is struck by an unknown object. The author says that it may have been a whale. His boat is taking on water and he if forced to abandon ship.
For the next 79 days, he is forced to survive in a small life raft. As survival equipment fails and is repaired becomes less and less reliable, you wonder if he will be able to keep going. Of course you know he does because he lives to write the book.
Anyone who wants to read a book about one mans determination to survive would be well advised to consider this one.
June 4, 2018
I bought this by accident after seeing a preview for the new movie Adrift that’s coming out in summer 2018. Turns out that’s a different tale of disaster at sea.
Anyway, this one is about a young guy in the 80s who is sailing solo from the Canary Islands to Antigua when something (likely an accidental whale strike) causes his sailboat to sink. He throw what supplies he can into the lifeboat and spends the next 76 days adrift.
It’s terrifying just to consider it for a single day!
Callahan writes beautifully about his time on “rubber ducky iii� and describes well his physical issues but more importantly his mental state and how he feels about what’s happening to him and his relationship to the ocean and the fish he observes alongside his raft. There’s plenty of technical detail too - including diagrams - that I admit I skimmed over in large part.
Not a book for everyone, certainly, but time well spent for me.
Anyway, this one is about a young guy in the 80s who is sailing solo from the Canary Islands to Antigua when something (likely an accidental whale strike) causes his sailboat to sink. He throw what supplies he can into the lifeboat and spends the next 76 days adrift.
It’s terrifying just to consider it for a single day!
Callahan writes beautifully about his time on “rubber ducky iii� and describes well his physical issues but more importantly his mental state and how he feels about what’s happening to him and his relationship to the ocean and the fish he observes alongside his raft. There’s plenty of technical detail too - including diagrams - that I admit I skimmed over in large part.
Not a book for everyone, certainly, but time well spent for me.
June 29, 2010
This is a true tale of Callahan’s survival after his small sloop sunk off the shores of the Canary Islands in 1982. I heard about this from a book magazine that had a section about notable books about the sea. This is supposed to be one of the best books about a ship wreck and living to tell about it. I agree it is pretty good, however, I would have liked to read more about what happened after he was rescued. Of the 344 pages, only 39 pages are devoted to his rescue and recovery. The best part about this book is how well Callahan was able to detail his daily challenges and explain how he was able to keep his equipment working. My favorite part of this book is the fish that were his constant companions, his food and the spirits that helped keep him alive. Callahan was very educated and prepared for his survival. That to me is the most amazing part of this. He was able to use his skills and resources to stay alive where most people would have given up. For the subject matter, this book was pretty good, unfortunately, it isn’t going to make my list of favorites. Some of the detailed descriptions of how to keep your still working and how to use a sextant just did not keep my attention.
November 5, 2017
This book was in my honest opinion an awful book and a waste of my precious time. Yes, the author is a gifted author, but this book really was a bore. I thought the plot was going to be different than it actually was. Steven Callahan went into detail in the most unnecessary parts. There was way to much background information. Oh, and lets not forget that scenes where he would have an attack, they weren't exciting it was boring. I feel like that could just be the overall plots fault since you already know he survives this long journey alone on the ocean. Not to say this book is a terrible book that no one should read, but it just wasn't my cup of tea. I'm sue many people would tell me this author is a gifted writer, and I wouldn't tell them that he isn't. I would just tell them I wasn't able to enjoy it due to the lack of interest in the subject and the rushing to finish it for school. I am disappointed that I didn't like the book but I'm sure there are plenty of people who will be able to read this and be happy with it.
November 29, 2007
This book had all the elements of stories that I usually really like: an adventurous goal, a sudden disaster and perseverance and resourcefulness to overcome the odds. Yet, I DIDN'T LIKE IT.
Part of the catch of a shipwreck story featuring a lone survivor is this: it's only fun to read if you like the survivor. Callahan is beyond self-assured from the start and I got the definite idea that he doesn't really mind being lost at sea. He complains about physical decline and weather damage, but never about lonliness or fear. I found him a little too robotic to cheer for.
I think this book would be enjoyed more by someone who works with their hands and can appreciate Callahan's connection with his boat and skill in patching up equipment failures. I expected some technical details, but these were more numerous than I liked.
"Adrift" is a good read for someone interested in the technical details of survival rather than the experience.
Part of the catch of a shipwreck story featuring a lone survivor is this: it's only fun to read if you like the survivor. Callahan is beyond self-assured from the start and I got the definite idea that he doesn't really mind being lost at sea. He complains about physical decline and weather damage, but never about lonliness or fear. I found him a little too robotic to cheer for.
I think this book would be enjoyed more by someone who works with their hands and can appreciate Callahan's connection with his boat and skill in patching up equipment failures. I expected some technical details, but these were more numerous than I liked.
"Adrift" is a good read for someone interested in the technical details of survival rather than the experience.
March 12, 2016
A gripping read from a very brave & courageous man who is not afraid to admit that most of the time he was indeed just that .. very afraid! And who wouldn't be given the situation ... i think that this would appeal more to fellow sailor's & other seafarer's as the technical jargon was lost on me .. i just wanted to know what happend. Well written & hugely entertaining .. i especially liked the line ' a view of Heaven from a seat in Hell' ... this against the odd's story of keeping mind & body together is a winner. A very good read.
November 2, 2018
Ho lee shit
June 8, 2020
Fantastic. I was so impressed by Callahan's ability to focus, and to fix the failing equipment when he needed to. His strength of mind was incredible. I wrote more about it in my Commonplace Book.
March 25, 2017
5 Stars
I come from a family of book lovers. But if we aren't reading books, you'll probably find us outside. Much of my childhood was spent in outdoor adventures both on land and on sea. So my parents taught me survival skills from a young age. Adrift was probably the book that my dad referenced the most often, so I was familiar with Callahan's story long before I ever read this book.
If you did not guess from the title, Adrift is the true story of a man who, after his boat sinks, spends seventy-six days adrift in a tiny life raft. One might think that a guy sitting in a raft for seventy-six days might get monotonous, but this book is captivating and inspiring. I won't give away the details, but the all of the things that Callahan went through to survive were incredible.
Having at least a passing knowledge of nautical terms is helpful when reading this book but not necessary. Callahan does a great job at making his narrative relatable to most people. This book is part memoir, part survival guide, and part contemplation on life. The technical descriptions and diagrams are balanced out by his lyrical writing style. It was a little odd at first that it was written in present tense, but it made the story come alive. I could hardly put it down. From the moments that made me laugh to the moments that made my eyes sting to the moments that made me reflect inwards, this book is truly a treasure. And Callahan tells it with a poetic profundity.
RATING FACTORS:
Ease of Reading: 5 Stars
Writing Style: 5 Stars
Entertainment Level: 5 Stars
Attention to Details: 5 Stars
Emotional Level: 5 Stars
Plot Structure and Development: 5 Stars
I come from a family of book lovers. But if we aren't reading books, you'll probably find us outside. Much of my childhood was spent in outdoor adventures both on land and on sea. So my parents taught me survival skills from a young age. Adrift was probably the book that my dad referenced the most often, so I was familiar with Callahan's story long before I ever read this book.
If you did not guess from the title, Adrift is the true story of a man who, after his boat sinks, spends seventy-six days adrift in a tiny life raft. One might think that a guy sitting in a raft for seventy-six days might get monotonous, but this book is captivating and inspiring. I won't give away the details, but the all of the things that Callahan went through to survive were incredible.
Having at least a passing knowledge of nautical terms is helpful when reading this book but not necessary. Callahan does a great job at making his narrative relatable to most people. This book is part memoir, part survival guide, and part contemplation on life. The technical descriptions and diagrams are balanced out by his lyrical writing style. It was a little odd at first that it was written in present tense, but it made the story come alive. I could hardly put it down. From the moments that made me laugh to the moments that made my eyes sting to the moments that made me reflect inwards, this book is truly a treasure. And Callahan tells it with a poetic profundity.
“I am constantly surrounded by a display of natural wonders. The acrobatic dorados perform beneath ballets of fluffy white clouds. The clouds glide across the sky until they join at the horizon to form whirling, flaming sunsets that are slowly doused by nightfall. Then, as if the sun had suddenly crashed, thousands of glistening galaxies are flung out into deep black night. There is no bigger sky country than the sea. But I cannot enjoy the incredible beauty around me. It lies beyond my grasp, taunting me. Knowing it can be stolen from me at any time, by a Dorado or shark attack or by a deflating raft, I cannot relax and appreciate it. It is beauty surrounded by ugly fear. I write in my log that it is a view of heaven from a seat in hell.�I love survival stories, and have read many of them over the years. But Adrift is definitely one of my favorites. It is the story of someone who was tested physically, mentally, and emotionally and managed to turn that experience into something encouraging. Woven throughout his narrative is that strong spirit of survival that is the common thread in all survival stories. It is not just the will to survive but to take devastation and turn it into something that fuels your strength.
“We cannot grow without challenge. Challenges routinely produce crises that severely test us. However, crises also offer us the greatest opportunities. People going through tough times typically feel isolated, and unsure what to do. When I face a crisis, I try to keep in mind a few simple concepts: we cannot control our destinies, but we can help to shape them; we must try to make life hop a bit, but we must also accept that we can only do the best we can.�
RATING FACTORS:
Ease of Reading: 5 Stars
Writing Style: 5 Stars
Entertainment Level: 5 Stars
Attention to Details: 5 Stars
Emotional Level: 5 Stars
Plot Structure and Development: 5 Stars
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