Rating: 
Summary: It's a good ride.
Review: "The Raft" is a "No Frills" true story. The facts of the adventure provide any excitement that a reader may require. I enjoyed the frankness. There were none of the usual patriotic sacrifices, colorful speeches, indepth examinations into human psychology; only the story of survival. It was a "One sitting" book and a good ride. I was there on the raft with them.
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Summary: A counterpoint to John from Monrovia
Review: A couple of things to consider:As a 22-plus year Navy man, I beg to differ with some points; 1. Chief Harold Dixon was a 22-year Navy veteran, and nearly 20 years older than Tony Pastula and Gene Aldrich. In those days, he would have referred to them as "boys" in either the vernacular, or because of his age difference, or that he held a senior rank. This used to be a term of friendship. The "boys" became fast friends -- speaking from the 1942 version, what do you know that I don't about their later association (or lack of association with Chief Dixon)? 2. Dixon's navigation errors did lead to their ditching -- This has little to do with his credit for their survival. He displayed leadership that led to his being awarded the Navy Cross, one of our country's highest honors. This was awarded not on his word, but with considerable input from his fellow survivors. The Navy does not give out the Navy Cross lightly. 3. I don't think he comes off any better than the other 2 Sailors, in regards his actions. He had 20 more years of experience and had nearly the same amount of leadership experience, but Tony and Gene acquitted themselves well. The story remains one of the most powerful tales of survival ever told. I also highly recommend it! John Bayer
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Summary: IT'S BEEN IN PRINT FOREVER
Review: and rightly so. A descriptive exposition of how three navy guys survived for 34 days on a raft. Recommended for "reluctant" readers as well. Truly hard to put down.
Rating: 
Summary: Amazing story about the human spirit
Review: From a literary perspective, as tales of survival go, this one is not on top of my list. There's something missing to the story. Maybe it is the fact that the dramatic element is not there (after all, this is a transcript of conversations that the author had with one of the men). The result is that this reads more like a dry account of what happened, instead of the thriller i was expecting. In any event, it is amazing that these poor men were able to withstand the terrible conditions of their ordeal and live to tell. I was disappointed that only the officer received the medal, while the sailors simply got commendations. Well, the officer is the one who got them lost in the first place! This would be a good book for a teenager, because it reads extremely fast (at a good pace, maybe 2 hours), and it tells a story of extreme adversity and resourcefulness, and there's many youngsters out there that could take heed.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing story about the human spirit
Review: From a literary perspective, as tales of survival go, this one is not on top of my list. There's something missing to the story. Maybe it is the fact that the dramatic element is not there (after all, this is a transcript of conversations that the author had with one of the men). The result is that this reads more like a dry account of what happened, instead of the thriller i was expecting. In any event, it is amazing that these poor men were able to withstand the terrible conditions of their ordeal and live to tell. I was disappointed that only the officer received the medal, while the sailors simply got commendations. Well, the officer is the one who got them lost in the first place! This would be a good book for a teenager, because it reads extremely fast (at a good pace, maybe 2 hours), and it tells a story of extreme adversity and resourcefulness, and there's many youngsters out there that could take heed.
Rating:
Summary: Great book
Review: Great book read it 16 times verry goo
Rating:
Summary: "A timeless story of courage and the will to survive..."
Review: I am a high school English teacher and have used this book in my classes for over twenty years. This is a story that will capture the most reluctant readers and transport them to the South Pacific of 1942 where, along with Harold Dixon, Gene Alrich, and Tony Pastula, they will fight for their lives in a seemingly hopeless situation: adrift at sea in a four by eight foot rubber life raft for thirty-four days and nights -- an inspiring and memorable read!
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Summary: A MUST FOR DIETERS !
Review: I first read "The Raft" in high school around 1955. Since then, I have reflected on its themes time and time again, marveling at the strength of the human body and mind. If you think you'll die by going without food for a day or two, this book is a must!
Rating:
Summary: I'm reliving my youth with this one.
Review: I first read it in junior high school 35 years ago. Took me about two seatings to read it . Very engrossing for a seventh grader.
It is a straight ahead narrative about three ordinary but resourcefull sailors whose plane went down & they were marooned in a rubber raft on the vast ocean during World WarII. They fought off starvation, heat, boredom & all the dangers the ocean affords. Boys will like it even though it doesn't have the violence of most war stories. Tom Parker delivers the telling in a good tight reading style that captures the tone of the story with out adding or detracting from the natural drama. Easy to stay with on a long drive.
Rating:
Summary: I'm reliving my youth with this one.
Review: I first read it in junior high school 35 years ago. Took me about two seatings to read it . Very engrossing for a seventh grader.
It is a straight ahead narrative about three ordinary but resourcefull sailors whose plane went down & they were marooned in a rubber raft on the vast ocean during World WarII. They fought off starvation, heat, boredom & all the dangers the ocean affords. Boys will like it even though it doesn't have the violence of most war stories. Tom Parker delivers the telling in a good tight reading style that captures the tone of the story with out adding or detracting from the natural drama. Easy to stay with on a long drive.
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