Abby Sutherland grew up sailing.Her father, Laurence, a shipwright, and her mother, Marianne, wanted their kids to develop responsibility, to see other cultures, to experience the world instead of watching it on TV. So they took them sailing down the coast of Mexico... for three years.When Abby was thirteen, she began helping her father deliver boats and soon was sailing solo. She loved being on the open ocean, the spray in her face, the wind in her hair. She began to dream of sailing the world. But fewer people have successfully solo-circumnavigated the globe than have traveled into space. It is a challenge so immense that many have died trying, and all have been pushed beyond every physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual limit.In Unsinkable, you will follow Abby into the depths through a gripping and evocative firsthand account that starts prior to her departure, travels through her daring (and sometimes near-death) encounters on the open sea, to her dramatic rescue in the remotest part of the Indian Ocean. Today, when the most productive thing a teenager may do is play videogames, Abby's courage and tenacity shows us all what can happen when we choose to challenge our own limits, embrace faith, and aim for what our critics say is impossible.It was pitch-black out and whitewater was crashing over the boat. The wintry wind screamed across the deck, and I could tell it was now holding up near fifty knots. Imagine standing on the roof of a car that's driving down the freeway. That's how hard it was blowing.At that moment, a huge gust hit the mainsail like a train. The boat heeled over to port as if a giant hand had smacked her down, and I tumbled over the top of the mainsail toward the water...On January 23, 2010, sixteen-year-old Abby Sunderland set sail from Marina del Rey, California, in an attempt to become the youngest person to sail solo, nonstop, and unassisted around the world. Immediately, her trip sparked controversy. What was a girl her
Download and start listening now!
"I knew before reading this that Abby's boat was dismasted in the middle of the Indian Ocean, causing her to abandon her round-the-world circumnavigation attempt. But I never realized how dicey the situation was for her. Not quite as engaging as Jessica Watson's book, but still enjoyable."
— Rebecca (4 out of 5 stars)
" Glad I read the book. A lot of sailing terms however. It was very interesting to see how this young courageous girl embarked on this journey and survived! Quite the motivating book. "
— Maureen, 1/16/2014" This book was really good! i loved it! :) "
— Brooke, 10/30/2013" This book says a lot about hope and the power of will "
— Unpredictable, 1/20/2013" Preachy at parts, but overall an interesting read-I'm 15 and Abby is very brave. She made the decision on her own, and it's fantastic that she's chasing her dream. "
— M, 12/23/2012" The delightful adventure story of a wise, courageous, and skillful young woman. Tells of Abby Sunderland's attempted solo sail around the world. "
— Ma, 10/21/2012" Interesting topic but not great writing. "
— Karima, 5/22/2012" Outstanding! Great story with lots of technical information about sailing. Inspirational story! "
— Michelle, 7/27/2011" Great true story about a teen who tried to sail around the world by herself! "
— Davestuartjr, 4/30/2011Abby Sunderland is the second of eight children in a family of sailors and adventurers. In 2007, at age thirteen, Abby discovered her dream of sailing solo around the world and was inspired by her brother Zac’s successful circumnavigation in 2009. Her own journey, in 2010, ended in the Indian Ocean when a rogue wave rolled her sailboat, Wild Eyes. Abby now shares her story of tenacity and courage to audiences everywhere.
Lynn Vincent, a US Navy veteran, is a New York Times bestselling author and coauthor of eleven nonfiction books with more than sixteen million copies in print. A veteran journalist and author of more than 1,000 articles, her investigative pieces have been cited before Congress and the US Supreme Court.
Jaimee Draper has been acting, singing, and performing professionally and as an amateur since the age of five. She has been involved with theater, radio, and commercial work for many years. She currently teaches high school speech and theater, narrates for Guideposts Magazine, serves at her local church, and enjoys life with her husband and children.