Desperate Voyage [Paperback]

John Caldwell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 25, 1991

In May 1946, John Caldwell, stranded in Panama afetr the war, set out single-handed on a 9,000 mile journey aboard the 29-foot Pagan to rejoin his wife in Sydney.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A must read for all would-be voyagers. -- Latitude 38, February 1999

One of the classic 'How I did it on a shoe-string in an unsuitable boat, knowing nothing about sailing' books....A good read and hooray for the days when people could do this sort of thing without attracting condemnation. -- The Island, Spring 1999

[An] astounding tale of courage and adventure....an engaging, well-written story that combines elements of romance with incredible adventure, farce and foolhardiness. If ever there was an argument for the benefits of sail training, this book cements it. Riveting stuff. --Sailing Today, December 1998

Product Details

• Paperback: 324 pages
• Publisher: Sheridan House (January 25, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0924486201
• ISBN-13: 978-0924486203
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #273,949 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars John Caldwell and Desperate Voyage, August 14, 2004

By 

Jim (Albany, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Desperate Voyage (Paperback)

David,

Ran across you review of Desperate Voyage on Amazon.com and saw your question about whatever happened to John Caldwell.

Sadly, he passed away in 1998. I can tell you in 1997 he was still going very strong, because I bought my copy of the book directly from him -- he even graciously signed it -- when I visited his island home in the Carribbean. The book lays out his love of life and adventure and his ability to achieve seemingly impossible tasks, and what you read is exactly how he came across in person too. Apparently Mary was worth it. They married and sailed throughout the Carribbean for years before settling on the very unpromising Prune Island in the Grenadines. Caldwell signed a 198 year lease with the St. Vincent government for the island and then they spent decades transforming the bug-infested island into a beautiful, rustic and exclusive "get away from it all and enjoy the simple life" resort. The island, near Bequi and St. Vincent, is now called Palm Island in honor of the palm trees planted all over the island (palms aren't native to the Carribbean, but Caldwell acted like Johnny Appleseed and planted palms throughout the neighboring islands).

Now the review: Caldwell's story lacks any literary pretensions. Instead it's a straightforward first person account of a tremendous (mis)adventure -- the kind no sane person would (or could) make today! You can't help but root for him and wonder how things will turn out. For me the story has even greater appeal because I had a chance to briefly meet Caldwell and knew his story wasn't a brief abberration forced on him by wartime -- but instead was just one chapter in the long life of a very nice man who clearly marched to the beat of a different drummer.

- Jim

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of my favourite books, April 9, 2002

By 

Cameron (Hobart, Tasmania AUSTRALIA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Desperate Voyage (Paperback)

The most remarkable thing about this story is that it's true! John Caldwell became an adventurer by accident. He just wanted to get across the Pacific Ocean to his new wife, and tried to do it the easy way by ship. Unfortunately there were no ships going his way, so he bought his own - a small wooden yacht. His (mis)adventures start as soon as he sets foot on his boat and don't end until he almost dies in his attempt to reach his destination. Caldwell's courage in facing challenge was born out of naivete - he only had a vague notion of what he was taking on. This makes his achievements all the more extraordinary because his lack of experience only left him with a kind of animal resourcefulness to get him through. He blunders from hilarious escapade to life-threatening drama and back again in an amazing journey that packs more adventure into a few months than most of us get (or want) in a lifetime. His sense of humour and down-to-earth style make This book a delightful read. "Desperate Voyage" undoubtedly has appeal to yachties like myself. But I've lent it to several friends including some landlubbers, and all have thoroughly enjoyed it.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Caution Thrown To The Wind, October 3, 2002

By 

T. Veale (WI - USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Desperate Voyage (Paperback)

So many times I wanted to reach into the book and stop Mr. Caldwell from making some terrible mistake! You'll marvel at his abilities and be awestruck by his errors.

I had the pleasure of meeting James Caldwell while sailing in the Caribbean in 1985. I couldn't help but buy my copy of "Desperate Voyage" from him after our conversation. I'm delighted to see that it's available from Amazon and that other sailors and adventurers have had the chance to read this tome.

I had to remind myself that if I'd been the same age as when he made this journey I might not have done as well.
One thing is clear - Never invite a SHARK to dinner!

Best regards,
Tom