Farallon: Shipwreck and Survival on the Alaska Shore

Rating:
Summary: Gripping account with great historical detail
Review: Drawing on eyewitness accounts, historical records, and other primary sources, Steve K. Lloyd has written a fascinating tale that is detailed and gripping. He offers a human drama of man versus nature that keeps readers holding their breath and turning the pages. He thoroughly examines the public inquiry following the mishap, and delves into the unsolved mysteries surrounding the responsibilities involved. An amateur photographer was onboard, and his photographs survived the adventure. Many years later, his widow gave the collection to the University of Washington, and Lloyd includes many of them throughout the book, offering a firsthand pictorial view of the stricken ship, the crew, and their survival efforts.

Lloyd's eye for detail slakes the readers' thirst for information. His extensive footnotes are well documented and precise. In his epilogue, the lives of the major players are outlined in the years following the mishap. The ships involved in the story are discussed there as well, a welcome addition since their personalities were as real as the people who sailed them. Ultimately, Lloyd was able to visit the remote site of the wreck and gaze upon the remains of the Farallon itself. Pieces of the ship are still on the rocks of the uninhabited coastline, undisturbed nearly a century later.

The book offers fascinating insight on early navigation, the Alaskan wilderness, and the frightful realities of shipwrecks and isolated survival efforts. Adventure novel readers will enjoy the pace of the book while nautical history buffs will enjoy the fine attention to detail.

Rating:
Summary: A dry historical account
Review: I guess I'm in the minority by only thinking this book deserves only fair praise. I take off two stars for two reasons:

First, the writing style in not engaging. It is a dry historical account. The author certainly did all of his homework to form a complete story with all background. However, the story is just a retelling of facts and happenings, instead of a narative that draws the readers in and has them feeling the chill of winter in Alaska.

Second, the actual subject matter is only semi-intering. This book can basically be sumed up as: ship strikes reef, everyone abandons the vessel and camps on-shore for a month, and then are rescued by a passing ship looking for them. There really are no gripping, dramatic momments.

Compare this story to better ones, like "Batavia's Graveyard", a story of mutiny, shipwreck, and murder combined with a lively writing style. "Farallon" is a good story, but I don't think it certainly rises up to the five star praise that others are heaping onto it.

Rating:
Summary: A dry historical account
Review: I guess I'm in the minority by only thinking this book deserves only fair praise. I take off two stars for two reasons:

First, the writing style in not engaging. It is a dry historical account. The author certainly did all of his homework to form a complete story with all background. However, the story is just a retelling of facts and happenings, instead of a narative that draws the readers in and has them feeling the chill of winter in Alaska.

Second, the actual subject matter is only semi-intering. This book can basically be sumed up as: ship strikes reef, everyone abandons the vessel and camps on-shore for a month, and then are rescued by a passing ship looking for them. There really are no gripping, dramatic momments.

Compare this story to better ones, like "Batavia's Graveyard", a story of mutiny, shipwreck, and murder combined with a lively writing style. "Farallon" is a good story, but I don't think it certainly rises up to the five star praise that others are heaping onto it.

Rating:
Summary: Fantastic story!
Review: I love this book! It was well-researched, yet as exciting to read as any adventure novel. Clive Cussler's glowing recommendation caught my eye and I was not disappointed. It is an amazing true life story!

Rating:
Summary: Great shipwreck story!
Review: I read every shipwreck story I can get my hands on, and this one ranks right up at the top of my list! The author has captured the excitement and heartbreak perfectly; I felt like I was living the adventure right there with the men on the Farallon. This book makes an excellent addition to my collection. Also, there is a Web site with more information about this book and Steve Lloyd's next shipwreck adventure, which I'm eager to get my hands on! ( ).

Rating:
Summary: Extremely well-written!
Review: Steve Lloyd's book, Farallon : Shipwreck and Survival on the Alaska Shore, is a gripping tale that contains enough excitement for any lover of high sea adventure stories. I especially enjoyed the photos in the book and the meticulous account of the men who set out in a small boat to arrange for rescue. What a horrible ordeal!

Rating:
Summary: A survival narrative that is not to be missed!
Review: There have been a number of recent books published about disaster and survival in cold places, and Farallon: Shipwreck and Survival on the Alaska Shore is among the best. The Farallon was a wooden steamship that sunk in Alaska in 1910, and this book is the story of the men who were aboard as passengers and crew, and how they survived being cast away in the barren wilderness in midwinter.

The author provides plenty of background on the various mariners and ships that played a part in the events that unfolded while pacing the narrative in a very compelling manner. Lloyd's research (which was clearly extensive) is well-documented, unlike other "true adventure" books I've read where the reader is never sure what actually happened, and what parts represent the author's artistic license.

I would recommend this book to anyone with an interest in history or shipwrecks, and especially to those readers who enjoy a well-told story of man's strength and resolve in times of incredible adversity!