Book Review—Adrift: 76 Days Lost at Sea

National Geographic Explorer calls this one of the 100 best adventure books of all time, and for good reason. Steven Callahan’s story is a tremendous portrait of one man’s courage, resourcefulness, and will to live. Six days into an Atlantic ocean voyage to the Carribean, Callahan is resting on his bunk when a deafening bang interrupts his reverie and water begins gushing into the cabin. Callahan manages to escape the sinking ship with a raft, but knows he will not survive without the emergency duffel in the submerged cabin. Taking the first of many terrifying risks that will eventually lead to his survival, Callahan dives back into the cabin with a knife between his teeth and gets the bag. Thus begins an odyssey that proves just how much misery a human being can endure. Callahan’s book is filled with his own illustrations, which help bring to life the precariousness of life in a rubber raft. He ingeniously uses the few materials at hand to craft freshwater stills, repair his raft and speargun, and fashion a sextant for navigation. Tormented by sharks, Callahan becomes deeply attached to the colorful dorados that follow his raft, and mourns the death of each fish he kills. Callahan’s thoughtful, descriptive prose and gentle humor create a solid foundation for this exhilarating read—don’t miss it.

Tagged as: Steven Callahan