Rating: 
Summary: 4 points for courage, -1 points for stupidity
Review: This novel is unforgettable and absolutely terrifying. Deborah is a young and vibrant woman, attracted to the sea and sailing. Trying to make it on her own, she elects to crew with four others on a 58 foot sailboat named the TRASHMAN from Annapolis to Florida. Somewhat experienced in sailing, she begins to recognize that this crew is not capable nor predictable. She overrides her doubts with alcohol and brief reassurances, yet she can not shake the impending doom and fear of those she is sailing with. It is not easy. The crew argue amongst themselves, and the alcohol flows steadily. Procedures are cast aside, and boasting mates inflate their personal experience on board. Within hours of sail, it is quite obvious that she is sailing with not only incompetent sailors, but ones who are obviously psychologically and chemically impaired. There are crucial warning signs that Deborah notes prior to sail, yet fails to act on. Just as in destructive relationships, the symptoms are there before the disease is diagnosed. ABORT!!! ESCAPE!!!! SWIM!! You scream to the innocents while reading this account. But you know people do not behave this way. They wait, and they hope...for semblance of order...for personal responsibility....for someone to save them. Personally, if I had to choose the method of my death, what happened to these poor people would come in last place. There are underlying issues for Deborah. She suffered child abuse at the hands of her step father and had a difficult relationship with her mother. Coupled with her own personal demons, she was vulnerable, yet probably better prepared to handle the ultimate challenges before her. Her troubles made her strong and resilient, although later they became her psychological hurdles she had to cross over before she made peace with not only herself but the horror that occurred on sea.
Rating:
Summary: 4 points for courage, -1 points for stupidity
Review: This novel is unforgettable and absolutely terrifying. Deborah is a young and vibrant woman, attracted to the sea and sailing. Trying to make it on her own, she elects to crew with four others on a 58 foot sailboat named the TRASHMAN from Annapolis to Florida. Somewhat experienced in sailing, she begins to recognize that this crew is not capable nor predictable. She overrides her doubts with alcohol and brief reassurances, yet she can not shake the impending doom and fear of those she is sailing with. It is not easy. The crew argue amongst themselves, and the alcohol flows steadily. Procedures are cast aside, and boasting mates inflate their personal experience on board. Within hours of sail, it is quite obvious that she is sailing with not only incompetent sailors, but ones who are obviously psychologically and chemically impaired. There are crucial warning signs that Deborah notes prior to sail, yet fails to act on. Just as in destructive relationships, the symptoms are there before the disease is diagnosed. ABORT!!! ESCAPE!!!! SWIM!! You scream to the innocents while reading this account. But you know people do not behave this way. They wait, and they hope...for semblance of order...for personal responsibility....for someone to save them. Personally, if I had to choose the method of my death, what happened to these poor people would come in last place. There are underlying issues for Deborah. She suffered child abuse at the hands of her step father and had a difficult relationship with her mother. Coupled with her own personal demons, she was vulnerable, yet probably better prepared to handle the ultimate challenges before her. Her troubles made her strong and resilient, although later they became her psychological hurdles she had to cross over before she made peace with not only herself but the horror that occurred on sea.
Rating: 
Summary: Albatross
Review: This sounds like a book by the same author called "Albatross" which was published several years ago. Soon after the events described, John Rousmaniere wrote a compelling article in SAIL which I have never forgotten, so when the book came out I sought it out eagerly. I was disappointed. While it is an interesting story from which sailors can learn alot, I ended up not caring what happened to any of the characters. I am not sure why not; it was just that somehow the book left me flat.
Rating: 
Summary: what happened to Meg Lukens Noonan?
Review: who co-wrote the first book with Ms. Kiley? Why did Ms Kiley write the story over again when the first one was so good? It is a fascinating, if disturbing, story of survival.
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