Adrift: 76 Days Lost at Sea

4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars | 3,465 ratings

Price: 17.5

Last update: 01-06-2025


About this item

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.


Top reviews from the United States

  • beach lady
    5.0 out of 5 stars exciting yet seat of the pants adventure
    Reviewed in the United States on October 9, 2024
    Great condition, easy to read and very informative about surviving on the ocean
  • Jim W.
    4.0 out of 5 stars Captivating storytelling of adventure and human reflection
    Reviewed in the United States on July 4, 2024
    Very well written and captivating, with the benefit of a first hand account from the survivor. It is realistic, thrilling and thought provoking and what was most expected (I was looking for the survivial-adventure part) was the human reflection: on our insignificance, connection to our surroundings, true needs, resilience and madness. The authors direct reflection on these topics elevated the book, and brings readers closer to a relatable human. There were pompous moments (overly elaborated topics, dramatic inclusions, unnecessary alliterations) and overly complex moments (overly technical descriptions of contraptions, sailor jargon for credibility). But, despite these mild annoyances, the book was very well done with great adventure, survival and human story telling.
  • Corporal Hicks
    5.0 out of 5 stars If you want an honest and informative review..
    Reviewed in the United States on March 27, 2022
    First off I have to say the author wasn’t really “lost” at sea. His abilities and skills coupled with the mindset and tenacity to survive kept him more than just alive. At times he seemed to thrive. His ordeal made me think often of the phrase “hope is not a good plan”. One has to have a plan and work the plan to survive. Steven does this (not giving anything away here as it’s evident he makes it through) and gains a deeper appreciation for all the blessings we take for granted.

    A line from the book states “Before this voyage, I always had what I needed - food, shelter, clothing, and companionship - yet I was often dissatisfied when I didn’t get everything I wanted, when people didn’t meet my expectations, when a goal was thwarted, or I couldn’t acquire some material goody. My plight has given me a strange kind of wealth, the most important kind.”

    I was enthused and happy when he ended his journey. The reader will definitely feel as if they too are in the survival raft. Many of the critical reviews cite the repetition and down trodden feel of the book. Well the guy was stuck in the middle of the ocean for over two months alone. Many of us couldn’t go over two weeks without a cell phone.

    The book also gives us a great description of who and what he encounters after he ends his time adrift. It’s also very interesting to read this book in present time and realize the author is now 71 years old and end through all this in 1981. Worth a read if you want to learn more about what man is capable of and how blessed your life itself might be.
  • Robert S Farmer MD
    5.0 out of 5 stars A classic!
    Reviewed in the United States on January 15, 2024
    You might think 'a guy in a raft for 2+ months; how interesting could that be?' If I had written it, it would probably be pretty dull. Cahallan always keeps it spell-binding, though, somehow. It is hard to set down, even though we pretty much already know how it ends. (He lives, duh!) A classic of nautical and survival literature!
  • RachelB
    4.0 out of 5 stars A remarkable tale of survival against all odds
    Reviewed in the United States on October 2, 2015
    Adrift is about one man's solitary journey, both internal and external, on the perilous ledge between life and death. Steven Callahan is attempting to cross the Atlantic Ocean from the Canary Islands to Antigua, but before he departs, an elderly fisherman points to his vessel, the 21' long Napoleon Solo, and says, "In such a small boat? Tonto!" Fool. The rest of the journey is fraught with danger, starting from when the Napoleon Solo capsizes and sinks, forcing Callahan to abandon ship in a rubber lifeboat.

    Anyone battling demons of their own will find solace in Callahan's struggle to survive, which is a metaphor for all mens' struggles to survive an often hostile world with often insurmountable odds.

    "I imagine two stone-faced poker players throwing chips into a pile. One player is named Rescue and the other is Death. The stakes keep getting bigger and bigger. The pile of chips now stands as tall as a man and as big around as a raft. Somebody is going to win soon."

    The ocean, the sharks, the weather, and hunger are all metaphors for the demons we all battle on a daily basis: joblessness, despair, jealousy, hatred, vengeance. Yet, depite the terrible privations he experiences on the sea, Callahan also experiences moments of profound solace:

    "As I look out of the raft, I see God's face in the smooth waves, His grace in the dorado's swim, feel His breath against my cheek as it sweeps down from the sky. I see that all creation is made in His image."

    A truly remarkable tale of survival against the odds, "Adrift" is a a great gift for anyone going through a crisis. It will remind him that "...to be well fed, painless, and in the company of friends and loved ones are privileges too few enjoy in this often brutal world." Well said Callahan!
  • badyoga
    5.0 out of 5 stars couldn’t put it down
    Reviewed in the United States on December 31, 2024
    I listened to this on Everand and wanted to give a copy to a friend, hard to put down.
  • dj
    3.0 out of 5 stars Pretty Good
    Reviewed in the United States on December 5, 2005
    Steve Callahan's "Adrift" was truly a story of perseverance, courage, determination and luck. It was a good read, but I felt he went into too much detail regarding his equipment (e.g.-solar stills, hole repairs, jerry rigging) than I cared to read about. Some people probably like those kinds of details. I did not. Callahan probably should have enlisted a professional writer to help him, because his writing style was not that great. Aside from that, I really enjoy these true-to-life survival stories.

    I HIGHLY recommend the true story,"The Raft" by Robert Trumbull. Three WWII Navy aviators go off-course, out of radio contact from the aircraft carrier, run out of fuel, crash into the Pacific and only have time to fetch a six-foot rubber raft and what equipment is attached to their bodies, before the plane becomes a new addition to Davey Jone's Locker! That's It! No water, no food, no solar stills, no canopy, no spear gun, no sleeping bag. These guys are stuck in the middle of the Pacific for thirty-four days!! Three mouths to feed and water. It would make a great "Castaway"-like movie! In my opinion, a better read than "Adrift".

    Also, if you like this kind of reading, "Endurance, Shacketon's Incredible Voyage", by Alfred Lansing is one of THE best ocean survival books which epitomizes what a leader should be. It's amazing!

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