Customer Reviews

Untamed Seas: One Woman's True Story of Shipwreck and Survival

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book was an awsome book that was so thrilling i read it in two days. It's not like other books such as In the heart of the sea or knockdown or the perfect storm because those books go into a lot of background details which can be extremely boring. This book doesn't do that because it is a first hand account so there is no maybes or this probobly happened or any of that stuff. It was very exiting yet sad to sea the affects of what happened on people and their lives. I thought it was great...........so will you.

A real hero and an inspiration. I would have given up. Courage and class!A great read, you will be gripped!

I read this book in two sittings, some parts I was almost too scared to keep reading. The part where they tip over the boat to rinse out all the crap from Meg's leg (bloody infection stuff) and they can't tip it back and the sharks are surely going to smell all that in the water...I almost died just reading it. After reading this I had some burning questions about a lot of things I went to her website and emailed her. She was sooo nice, answered all my questions.
Don't read this on the beach or even in the tub!

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.

Deborah Scaling Kiley spoke at a meeting for battered women that I was attending. She spoke of the abuse she had suffered as a child at the hands of a heartless step-father who is now a politician, and her survival from that. Then she proceeded to tell us the story in this book. Hearing her speak of the hideous horrors she had to endure, and then reading them in this book inspired me to be a survivor, not a victim. She now speaks about being a survivor, and is very well spoken. When reading her book, it helps to know that this woman really has CHOSEN to become a survior, and she is an inspiration to all women.

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.

This book was absolutely amazing. It describes very accurately a first-hand account of 5 strangers being trapped at sea. I picked up the book one night around 6PM; five hours later, I was at the back cover (when I should have been studying for a test). The book is a THRILLER that will keep you wanting to read more and more. I had the privilege of meeting Ms. Scaling Kiley, and I would have to say that she is just as nice as the book is excellent. It's a must have.

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.

I THINK THIS IS THE SAME BOOK, BUT WITH A DIFFERENT TITLE, AS THE ALBATROSS BY DEBRORAH KILING SCALEY AND MEG NOONAN. FASCINATING STORY...VERY INSPIRING.

After reading this book, I was both very sad and very angry. If there is a God that is fair, then all 5 should have survived or all 5 died. There were no miracles here. It was survival of the fittest. Mark and John were just plain ole alcoholics, and could not deal with reality, let alone a disaster of this magnitude. Their alcohol soaked brains gave into drinking saltwater - Stupid. Meg was unfortunate to get caught in the rigging, so her wounds were too bad to allow her to survive long. Brad and Debbie were lucky that they were not injured or dependent on drugs or alcohol. Yep, it was plain old "survival of the fittest". No miracles. One thing that bothered me, was that none of the men offerred Meg any clothes. Instead they let her sit there for 4 days in nothing but a shirt. (she was not even wearing any underwear). Insensitive, pathetic and cruel!!! If there is a God that is fair, why didn't He perform a miracle to let Meg survive? She seemed the most innocent of the bunch. The reason I gave this book 5 stars is that it was well writen and detailed of the account, and has made me re-examine my own values. I am going to try to enjoy life to the fullest.

Kevin Daugherty