Sailing Grace: A True Story of Death, Life and the Sea

by John Otterbacher

Book Overview

Sailing Grace is the author's account of drowning in heart disease, fighting back to the surface, and sailing on. It begins with him flat on his back in a local health club and ends 31 months and 4000... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0979348617
• ISBN13: 9780979348617
• Release Date: June 2007
• Publisher: Samadhi Press
• Length: 258 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Bias opinion

You might say I am in the same boat with this author, having advanced heart desease myself. I could identify totally with the author. He had a nice way of keeping my attention. He did a great job for his first book. I wish him and his family well.

Compelling Journey on So Many Levels

Several months ago, I attended a lecture and book signing by John Otterbacher in Kalamazoo, Michigan. I was expecting some exciting, but predictable swashbuckling tales of adventure on the high seas but instead, I ran into a very compelling story of a person, and family, overcoming a difficult medical challenge to pursue a dream. The sailing voyage in itself is very compelling, but the blending of personal struggle, blue water adventure, and poetry of writing style made the book a real joy to read. I have purchased several additional copies for friends.

Raw Courage and Spiritual Acceptance

"Sailing Grace" is a gripping and beautifully written saga of courage, determination, fear and exileration. Amidst a terrifying awakening to his mortality John Otterbacher pushes forward into life, facing the challenge of a trans-oceanic cruise. But this is not a man-victorious-over-nature story. Ultimately it is a story about acceptance of life (and death) on its own terms. Without so much as a syllable of preachiness or corniness the author tells a story of transformation not triumph. There is an honestness and authenticity about this author that you can't help but love and admire. Yes, the adventure of sailing is in the book, but it is really about the adventure of life. Read this book.

If you need inspiration ...

John Otterbacher proves that simply making the decision to LIVE makes it a possibility in the face of all odds. More than a simple recounting of his heart problems and his adventures at sea, Sailing Grace is a love story about a man and his family. A tale of obstacles overcome and the determination to live life on his own terms, you will sail through this book.

I could not put this book down

I began to read Sailing Grace on a flight from Chicago to San Diego. Over the next 4 hours I was transported into a world of sailing, high adventure, courage and living life to the fullest while staring into the eyes of death. I was disappointed when the plane landed and drove home, poured myself some lemonade and finished the book on my back deck before I could go to bed. If you like true stories that make you feel like you're there, read this book! - Terry Hunefeld, San Diego