- Paperback: 256 pages
- Publisher: Ballantine Books Inc. (Aug 1996)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0345410157
- ISBN-13: 978-0345410153
- Product Dimensions: 20.3 x 13.5 x 1.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
34,102 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #8 in Books > Travel & Holiday > Speciality Travel > Air Travel
- #56 in Books > Travel & Holiday > Speciality Travel > Adventure
- #97 in Books > Sports, Hobbies & Games > Water Sports > Boating
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More About the Author
Product Description
Product Description
A NEW YORK TIMES besteller, this true story tells the riveting, first-hand account of the only man in history 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. Racked by hunger, buffeted by storms, and broiled by the tropical sun, Steven Callahan drifted over eighteen hundred miles of ocean, fighting off sharks with a makeshift spear, and watching nine ships pass by without turning back. Here is a story of anguish and horror, of undying heroism, hope--and survival.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From the Author
Alone & adrift, I came to terms with nature and my humanity.
For 2.5 months, I drifted about 2,000 miles across the Atlantic, learning to become an aquatic caveman. For many, Adrift is strictly an "adventure" survival story in which I starve and dehydrate, battle sharks and slowly adapt to the ocean wilderness in which anything that floats slowly develops an island-like ecology. While writing Adrift, I struggled to keep the pace without losing readers in sailor's jargon. However, deeper themes swim throughout the story, particularly with a school of fish that follow the raft. Although I experience a sort of living death, I am awakened to new sensitivities about my place in the universe and society, which infuses the experience with a sense of awe and wonder as much as pain and desperation. The fish, representatives of the sea's majesty and mystery, become my friends, test me and almost kill me, yet bring about my salvation. Alone, I learn to face my substantial failures, accept myself as a part of humanity, and find a balance between the rational, physical an
For 2.5 months, I drifted about 2,000 miles across the Atlantic, learning to become an aquatic caveman. For many, Adrift is strictly an "adventure" survival story in which I starve and dehydrate, battle sharks and slowly adapt to the ocean wilderness in which anything that floats slowly develops an island-like ecology. While writing Adrift, I struggled to keep the pace without losing readers in sailor's jargon. However, deeper themes swim throughout the story, particularly with a school of fish that follow the raft. Although I experience a sort of living death, I am awakened to new sensitivities about my place in the universe and society, which infuses the experience with a sense of awe and wonder as much as pain and desperation. The fish, representatives of the sea's majesty and mystery, become my friends, test me and almost kill me, yet bring about my salvation. Alone, I learn to face my substantial failures, accept myself as a part of humanity, and find a balance between the rational, physical an
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
A word of caution-- this is not an accurate review. I'm going back now years ago to a time when I lived in a village in Mexico. We're talking pre-Internet as we know it today. The available reading material in this village consisted of donated books at a so called lending library at a bar that catered to foreign tourists. Anyway, there happened to be Steve Callahan's book there. It was such a powerful reading experience that over the next fifteen years I would sometimes mention it to people: "I read this book once, seventy something days adrift...by....". And I couldn't remember-- I'd only read the book once -- until tonight, thanks to....well, you know. But, whatever, it taught me some other things to remember. One profoundly philosophical message I got from the book was how every action undertaken by the author negated an alternative action (although both were of critical necessity)-- a sort of opportunity cost lesson: bailing water out of the raft meant not gathering drinking water or catching fish for food, etc. I'm now an English teacher in Turkey, and I'm about to introduce this book to my reading class. I'm very glad that I've finally found it again. Keep adrifting!
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Decided to buy this book after seeing Steven Callahan on one of the Ray Mears survival television programmes. A truly fascinating story of one mans struggle, alone and unmissed to survive in one of the most hostile environments. How he does it and keeps going, through continual set backs is remarkable. If, like me you like survival stories because you may think one day you might end up in a situation like Steven and hope some of his knowledge may help you. Then this would be right up your street. Great read!
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Turtleback
Steven Callahan is a blessed man. This true story is one of the most harrowing accounts of survival in a truly hopeless situation. He capsizes in minutes in the middle of the night with a raft and not much more. Nobody knows he's missing. No one is looking for him.
Told with desperation and some much needed occasional humor, Callahan paints a story so real and frought with fear that you can read it in one sitting. It is difficult to imagine what one would do in a similiar situation and the very thought of it is spine tingling.
Told with desperation and some much needed occasional humor, Callahan paints a story so real and frought with fear that you can read it in one sitting. It is difficult to imagine what one would do in a similiar situation and the very thought of it is spine tingling.
This is a tale for every person who ever took to the water and every adventurer who feels safe in thier environment. You will never take the ocean for granted again after reading this book.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Great story of a persons will to survive alone in a raft.
For people who like survival stories, this is a great one.
Steve Callahan used is mind and knowledge to live. Read more
Published on 22 Aug 2001
I never put it down....
As one who has undergone a fair amount of survival training in connection with my work, this book makes ideal follow on reading. Read more
Published on 12 Jun 2000
Great book !!!
This is a very exciting true-story book. Callahan can describe his feeling in that moment and also a situation that most of us couldn't and even don't want to be with it. Read more
Published on 30 Jun 1999
Glad this book is back in print
Although it doesn't fully involved the reader emotionally, this book is still well worth-while. Surprisingly, it's not monotonous despite the limited setting and only one... Read more
Published on 2 Dec 1998
Awe Inspiring Tale
Probably one of the most incredible sea survival stories since the Indianaplolis saga of WW2. Callahan masterfully weaves his personal trials of survival in a format that is... Read more
Published on 23 Nov 1998
Fantastic
A book of tremendous courage and determination. As a boating person I know what the ocean can do. This is a man that can stand proudly and say "I won". Read more
Published on 21 Sep 1998
The author teaches the true meaning of "never, ever give up"
I've always been an avid reader of tales of true adventure and survival, many on the high seas. Rickenbacher's survival in a raft and Shackleton's disastrous expedition to the... Read more
Published on 14 Sep 1998
A amazing tale of perserverance against all odds!
I was awed by this tale of survival. The ingenuity Steve Callahan displayed in order to live through his harrowing ordeal was incredible. Read more
Published on 15 July 1998
Exciting read but in the end not totally satisfying.
While the story presented here in 'Adrift' is riveting and exciting, no matter how hard I tried I couldn't find any compassion for the author. Read more
Published on 3 Dec 1997
An incredible inspiration!
I first read Adrift 8-9 years ago, and was awestruck by the determination, courage, physical, and mental strength that Callahan displayed. Read more
Published on 9 May 1997
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