| Desperate voyage |  | Author: John Caldwell
Publisher: Little, Brown
Buy Used: $45.62
as of 3/20/2010 02:20 CDT details
Used (1) Collectible (1) from $45.62
Seller: elsies_antiques
Rating:  23 reviews
Sales Rank: 4091345
Media: Hardcover
Edition: 1st
Pages: 324
ASIN: B0006AS18W
Publication Date: 1949
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
Stranded in Panama after the war, John Caldwell set out for Sydney to rejoin his wife Mary, whom he had not seen since their three-day honeymoon over a year before. Unable to secure any other form of transport he had to resort to single-handed sailing. After having spent ten days learning the rudiments of sailing and navigation from a book he embarked on a 9000 mile journey aboard the 20-foot "Pagan". Ahead lay a mission that was to reveal in him elements not only of astounding courage and determination but also of incredible foolhardiness. Having been shipwrecked once, his boat's engine and cockpot destroyed by an a shark, he pressed on.
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 23
 bystander January 7, 2009
R. Tilley (Norwich, NY)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
This was a Christmas present for my husband. He seems to be enjoying the book so far, he is 1/2 way through it (that is with 2 other books being read at the same time).
 gave it away after one chapter December 14, 2008
Michael Wilson (Camano Island, WA)
I am not a sailor although I have owned several large power boats over the years. I was looking forward to a survival at sea adventure but became lost in the jargon of sailing and gave the book to one of my sail boating friends who I am sure will enjoy and appreciate the language of sail boating.
 Holden Caulfield October 13, 2008
Stephen S. Frey
Well, I agree with the raves regarding this book. I believe this extends past an armchair sea-cruising book and wallows into classic literature. But I'm not an expert on that so I can't say for sure. However, this story that Caldwell tells closely resembles Holden Caulfield in Salinger's classic. I've always thought this after I put the book down. The transference from normal to borderline and then a psychotic state is very slow and subtle. I'll go no further. You'll have to read it.
Amazing story of survival - read this! September 20, 2008
B. Willis (Canada)
I love sea stories, I love survival stories & I knew very little about this book besides the fact that almost every review was 5 stars. I thought I would give it try. This is the story of John Caldwell who at the end of WW2 was stranded at the opposite end of the world from his new wife Mary whom he had married the year before. Try as John might he could not find a way to get back to his wife in Australia. From his years of service in the merchant marine he had enough money saved up to buy a 26 year old 29 foot sailboat. With ZERO training & knowledge of sailing he set off from Panama for a 9,000 mile journey.
One of the things that sets this book apart is at the start John really knows nothing about sailing & he isn't afraid to admit it. Right from the moment he casts off he is only minutes from disaster but somehow he prevails & after numerous mistakes he slowly learns to be a better sailor. He sails solo but he is far from alone, he has two kittens who you learn to love & other secret stowaways. Some become friends, some become dinner. John writes with a great sense of humor. As I was reading the book I was expecting John to get lost or beat up in storms but I wasn't expecting the epic tale of survival. It is one of most successful sailing stories ever. I won't delve any farther into what happens but I will say he has endless interesting escapades with the creatures of the south seas & you will see why this is a desperate voyage. Also you will be amazed at what a human being will eat if pushed to the brink of death.
You will love John's storytelling. I was sad to learn that John has passed on. This week (Sept 2008) his wife has published another book (Mary's Voyage) about further journeys with John - I can't believe he stepped foot on another sailboat. If you love sea stories this book will not disappoint.
Shows what a person will do in the name of love! July 8, 2008
Justin W. Thole (Grand Rapids, MI)
John Caldwell was in love. So in love he bought a less-than-adequate 29 foot sailboat to sail thousands of miles across the Pacific (from Panama to Sydney, Australia) to be with his new bride. On his way, adventure and obstacles ensue, and he really shows what he's made of throughout the story.
What a great book! A real page-turner. You will have a hard time putting this one down. I know I did!
Showing reviews 1-5 of 23
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