Before The Perfect Storm, before In the Heart of the Sea, Steven Callahan’s Adrift chronicled one of the most astounding voyages of the century and one of the great sea adventures of all time. In some ways the model for the new wave of adventure books, Adrift is now an undeniable seafaring classic, a riveting firsthand account by the only man known to have survived for more than a month alone at sea, fighting for his life in an inflatable raft after his small sloop capsized only six days from port.
Racked by hunger, buffeted by storms, scorched by the tropical sun, Callahan drifted for 1,800 miles, fighting off sharks with a makeshift spear and watching as nine ships passed him by. “A real human drama that delves deeply into man’s survival instincts” (Library Journal), Adrift is a story of anguish and horror, of undying heroism, hope, and survival, and a must-read for any adventure lover.
“An utterly absorbing saga.” —Newsweek
“Fascinating…a clearly written ocean yarn in which the stakes are high and a brave man wins through.” —Wall Street Journal
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"True story of a man that survived 76 days lost at sea in a raft. Fascinating, and more than anything if you're like me you'll think again and again that there is no way in hell almost anyone else could've survived it. Steve is a boat builder, after all, so has some sea skills and some boat handyman skills that most of us don't have. Reminds you how big the sea really is, and that the idea of search and rescue only applies to a very small section of coastline. I found it very very interesting."
— Alexis (4 out of 5 stars)
" Wrenching tale of survival and the power of the human mind. This book will always be with me. Hard to find now, but well worth the search. "
— Ginny, 2/18/2014" The first of the 'raft' genre. I read and re-read this book as a youngster. "
— Cynmo, 2/11/2014" An outstanding book! One man's survival at sea, in an inflatable life-raft...which starts to leak. Learn about how he catches huge fish, makes drinking water, fends off sharks, and ultimately touches the spirit of human existence. Extraordinary. And it's all true. "
— Robert, 2/9/2014" I'm a sucker for survival stories. Callahan's resourcefulness convinces me I'd never survive a similar situation. "
— Erin, 2/2/2014" This story makes you thirsty. And it makes you thankful. And it makes you marvel at how simple it is to pour clear, cool water down your throat whenever you want to. "
— Inna, 1/29/2014" too much starvation, eating fish eyes, etc. I read it while pregnant. UGGG "
— Sheridan, 1/13/2014" Slow, but an interesting story. "
— Melody, 1/9/2014" I'd read that this was repetitive. It was, that's what made it brilliant. Of course I knew he would survive. How else did he write the book, but it was still amazing when he did. "
— Claire, 12/3/2013" An amazing tale of survival. Worth the read. But slow at times. I suppose that's to be expected given that the majority of the book is about one guy alone and adrift in the middle of the ocean. "
— Kelly, 11/22/2013" A towering testament to the resilience of the human spirit, and a meditation on what it truly craves: "It is my ability to reason that keeps command and allows me to survive, and the things I am surviving for are those that I want by instinct: life, companionship, comfort, play." "
— Andrew, 11/3/2013" Crazy awful. Very resourceful man. "
— Mckinley, 10/25/2013Steven Callahan is the author of Adrift, Seventy-Six Days Lost at Sea, which chronicles his life-raft drift across half the Atlantic in 1982, became an NYT Bestseller and has been translated into 15 languages. He has contributed writings, illustrations, and photos to more than a dozen other books, many about seamanship or survival, and has authored hundreds of articles for the marine press worldwide. He’s served as contributing editor to Sailor and Sail magazines, and as senior editor at Cruising World, for which he continues to do special projects such as testing new boats and lifesaving equipment. He also speaks publicly and consults, most recently for director Ang Lee on an upcoming film adaptation of the novel Life of Pi.