Dougal Robertson (1924–1991)

A rip-snorter. I've read it many times since discovering it as a teenager and still love its immediacy, urgency and unquenchable human spirit. Especially noteworthy is the way the writer does not attempt to hide the inevitable tensions between the adult castaways, including some really knock-em-drag-em-out arguments with his wife. These people really were literally on the edge of death every minute of every day of their ordeal and the rawness of their plight is eloquently captured. Fantastic show more book. show less

Good read covering a sailing disaster in the early 1970’s. Scottish family’ vessel hit and sunk very rapidly by a pod of orcas. They kept their heads (mostly) and survived 38 days on the Pacific. Written soon after and with benefit of keeping records while adrift. Good story well told.

The amazing story of a family's 38 day survival on the 'savage seas' following a collision with a pod of killer whales. As luck would have it, the author was a qualified merchant seaman and his wife a qualified nurse. The author's account wastes little time on character development, throwing the reader almost immediately into the family's predicament. The family's spirit, discipline and ingenuity with little resources is remarkable. Every detail of the family's struggle is evoked with gritty show more realism.

I don't usually talk about particular editions. However, the 1974 paperback is a wonderful pocketbook size and includes sketches of the boat and wildlife, and photographs from their rescue. show less

Unbelievable that they survived. Dougal had so much knowledge and discipline that allowed them to make it to safety. Too bad they got divorced afterwards.