Stop Drifting, Start Rowing: One Woman's Search for Happiness and Meaning Alone on the Pacific

by Roz Savage

In 2007, Roz Savage set out to row 8,000 miles across the Pacific Ocean—alone. Despite having successfully rowed across the Atlantic the previous year, the Pacific presented the former office worker with unprecedented challenges and overpowering currents—both in the ocean water and within herself. Crossing Earth’s largest ocean alone might seem a long way removed from everyday life, yet the lessons Roz learned about the inner journey, the ocean, and the world are relevant to all of us. She shares tales of the ups and downs of her voyage across the waves, while offering insights on how to find happiness through a meaningful and rewarding life.

Genres: Adventure, Nonfiction, Travel, Memoir, Biography, Autobiography, Audiobook

240 pages, Paperback

First published October 15, 2013

About the author

Roz Savage is an ocean rower, environmental campaigner, author and speaker.

In case this makes her sound intrepid, you should know that as a child she was small, unathletic, and bookish (and is not so different now). Her parents were both Methodist preachers and moved house frequently, so the young Rosalind took refuge in books. She yearned to be a writer herself, but as she went through that painful process called "growing up", she lost sight of her dream.

She went to London and worked as a management consultant for 11 years, until an early mid-life crisis combined with an environmental epiphany made her decide to transform her life. She turned her back on a materialistic lifestyle and set out to row across oceans, using her adventures to raise awareness of top environmental issues. Now she had something to write about.

Since embarking on her first ocean in 2005, she has braved 20-foot waves, been capsized 3 times in 24 hours, and faced death by dehydration when both her watermakers broke. She has encountered whales, dolphins, sharks, and turtles, and admired the timeless beauty of sunrises, sunsets, and star-filled night skies. She has been pushed beyond her limits many times, and forced to find inner resources she never knew existed - courage, mental strength, patience, and tenacity.

She now holds four world records for ocean rowing, including first woman to row solo across the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans. She has rowed over 15,000 miles, taken around 5 million oarstrokes, and spent cumulatively over 500 days of her life at sea in a 23-foot rowboat.

Her first book, Rowing The Atlantic Lessons Learned on the Open Ocean, was published in 2009. Her second book, based on her Pacific crossing, is called Stop Drifting Start Rowing, and is published in October 2013. Her goal in writing is to share the lessons she has learned the hard way, both on and off the ocean, in the hope that they might inspire and motivate others to dream big, get out of their comfort zones, and tackle their own personal challenges the only way there is - one oarstroke at a time.

In 2010 she was named Adventurer of the Year by National Geographic. In 2013 she was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire in the Queen’s Birthday Honours. She lives in London with her partner, Howard.

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have a huge amount of respect for Roz Savage and the things she has achieved - the thought of rowing single-handedly across an ocean completely alone blows my mind and she has done it not just once but 3 times now! I started following Roz's blog back in 2005 when she started the Atlantic rowing race and I followed the first couple of legs of her journey across the Pacific but for some reason life got in the way and I lost track of her blog before she made it all the way to Papua New Guinea. I haven't read her first book (about the Atlantic crossing) but I figured since I followed her blog throughout that journey it wouldn't be the end of the world to skip straight to this one so when I saw it come up on the Vine list I couldn't resist requesting it.

I'm not sure if it was partly down to my mood when I picked it up but I've found myself really struggling to read this. I normally read a book within 2 days and considering this is only 200 pages I should have been able to read it very quickly. Unfortunately I've been reading for a week now and I'm still only 70 pages in. It just isn't holding my attention and I have to force myself to pick it up and carry on reading. I remember Roz's blog as being full of humour and interesting insights into her adventures but I'm finding the book very dry and actually quite boring to read.

I have to admit that I was also irritated with her attitude to some events and the way she comes across as incredibly ungrateful to the US Coast Guard. I remember at the time of the event that she clarified on her blog that she hadn't asked for a rescue attempt to be made and that she actually felt pressured into giving up her first attempt at the Pacific crossing because of the interference of one of her blog followers so I can understand why she was upset but that doesn't excuse the way she comes across in a book written several years later. She makes several pointed little digs like "Their inspection could have been due to concern for my safety, while a cynic might suggest that it was inspired by the presence of a TV camera crew making a documentary about them - but out of respect, I would say no such thing" which really made me uncomfortable and ultimately put me off continuing to read the book.

I may come back to this book at some point in the future and give it another try in case I enjoy it more when I'm in a different mood but I don't think I'll be wanting to pick it up any time soon.

[Liralen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Savage was not new to ocean rowing when she undertook the challenge to be the first woman to row solo across the Pacific: she'd previously rowed across the Atlantic and was well equipped for her endeavour.

This is the sort of adventure that fascinates me in theory but that would be a terrible fit for me in real life (I am far too anxious and would probably die via heart palpitations, if capsize didn't get to me first). All the more fortunate, then, that other people keep doing it and writing about it. On that level, I enjoyed this, not to mention the great full-colour photos. But...I've also read a decent number of rowing books, and measured against those, this is probably not one that I'd return to. Three reasons for this, two of which are entirely unfair: first, I'm less interested in a three-stage journey than I am in a single-stage journey. Savage did her ocean crossing in three legs (San Francisco to Hawaii, Hawaii to Kiribati, Kiribati to Papua New Guinea) and four years (the first leg had to be attempted twice). I don't question the validity of the trip or the claim to the first solo row. It's just not the sort of story I gravitate towards. Second, and even more unfairly, there's markedly little drama. Perhaps as a result of recently reading A Pearl in the Storm, which I loved and which is in places highly dramatic/tense, and Adrift (ditto), I think I was expecting more...physical struggle. It is ridiculous to say this, because I certainly wouldn't wish near-death experiences on anyone—but they can make for a more gripping/interesting read.

And then...one of Savage's purposes in undertaking this trip was to raise awareness about environmental problems and climate change. Rowing is a low-carbon-footprint activity, and that suited Savage's purposes well. I am very on board (pun intended) with Savage's message, but I found it quite hit-you-over-the-head-with-an-oar at times. I haven't read her first book (about rowing the Atlantic), so I wonder whether it focuses elsewhere and there was an intentional effort to take a different tone from that book...I'm not sure. It might well be that I'd have better luck with the book about the Atlantic crossing, when she was much less experienced at her task.

I won a free copy of this book via a Goodreads giveaway. I never received that copy, so my book came from the library.

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting information about the author, Rosalind Savage, is shown at the right of the page with collective reviews (if necessary, click on the book cover to access), which I suggest you read first. My brief review therefore tries not to repeat any of the summary information, which is included about the ocean journey.

Roz Savage is clearly a highly intelligent woman dedicated to pursuing her dream of rowing across oceans alone, not to inflate her personal ego but to draw attention to the man-made problem that is slowly destroying the planet earth. Our ‘throw away’ attitude (particularly to plastic) and dumping rubbish at sea is highlighted in the book, which includes a reference to “The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, reported to be twice the size of Texas and containing 3.5 million tons of rubbish”.

While we are currently aghast at the war torn atrocities against innocent people and children (for example, the chemical weapons in Syria), do we really care about the comparable intense suffering and slow death of God’s magnificent sea creatures, due to irresponsible dumping of our waste at sea? This is my personal comment, but the author clearly draws attention to this serious problem in her book.

This ocean journey (in a 23-foot rowboat) appears to have been horrendous and fraught with extreme difficulties that Roz overcame with single mindedness and utter tenacity. How she has the physical strength and extreme stamina required is beyond my comprehension. The scariest section that I read is when Roz was briefly alone in the ocean and thought she was at death’s door and unable to reach the boat, which unpredictably kept moving further away.

Despite the trials and tribulations at sea, the narrative contains a number of humorous aspects – and some embarrassing personal issues, which the author manages to describe in such lucid terms that it made me smile!

I would thoroughly recommend this book, particularly to obtain a personal wake up call in assessing one’s own quality of life and what we are individually and collectively trying to achieve, in comparison to the fascinating life of this incredible woman.

[Dee Mills · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't enjoy this as much as I had hoped. First of all, the author narrated her own book, and I think someone else might have done a more interesting job. Next, I wanted more about rowing in the ocean and less about environmental issues. I know she did the row to publicize environmental problems, but she got awfully preachy about it. And last, personally, who takes on rowing an ocean and refuses to fish along the way?! She was squeamish about gutting fish, she said. I wanted more adventure; I wanted to feel the experience. I had questions. She complained about her dry skin and yet she rowed naked. Why didn't she have some sun protection overhead? She also never spoke about taking precautions to protect against sun damage to her skin. Her seat moved, I believe. What did she do to keep the seat tracks from getting salt encrusted? Powerful accomplishment, nevertheless, but a writer she's not.

[Asher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Roz Savage is such an incredible woman. I was fortunate enough to hear her speak in the office.

The bravery of crossing three oceans in a rowboat!

[Joe White · Rating 4 out of 5]

09/25/13

Review: Stop Drifting, Start Rowing
Roz Savage
978-1-4019-4262-5

This is a summarization of a three phase Ocean row from San Francisco, California in the US, to Madang in Papua New Guinea. Both Waikiki in Honolulu on Oahu, Hawaii and Tarawa in the Kiribati (Gilbert) Islands were stop and relaunch layover destinations.

The book offers a unique departure from the regular Ocean Rowing Crossing sagas and the now numerous accounts from the Atlantic ocean Rowing race, many of which are formatted as a rehash of a “daily diary”.

This book is different. The first half of the book deals with issues of the CA to Hawaii portion. This half of the book appears to have been edited to a concise script which narrates specific highlight facts. It provides an intensive narrative of a Coast guard sea rescue from the perspective of someone in command of a boat attempting to analyze a physical situation of possible impending perilous danger and the evaluation of loss of property and rescue costs if a rescue is completed versus the possible loss of life or serious injury if a rescue is refused and a self sustained voyage course is adopted. There is also the usually unseen and undocumented account of post rescue actions by the rescued party who is out of home location with no possessions or economic and identity validity. The recovery of the boat is covered, which is a unique aspect not often attempted or documented. The text documents the issues of the importance of recovery, the issues of refit, the timing of relaunch, and provides insight into the details of planning a route in regard to timing, expense, and geographic location points for record setting recognition.

The route chosen to cross the Pacific was unique. Until this reading I didn't realize that anyone had ever used the route from CA to Hawaii for a rowing endeavor. Most other voyages covering the North Pacific had gone from Japan to California across the far Northern Pacific, and all of those had experienced very rough sea conditions and roll-overs. Most small boat (less than 30 feet) sailing narratives cover the route from Hawaii to the mainland, but fewer go in Roz's direction, one reason being that it may be very easy to miss a tiny island, and much easier to hit a broad coastline target if a specific point is missed. The need for boat strength to withstand violent storms is always an undertone on the Pacific voyages.

The CA to Hawaii portion of roughly 2500 miles, also narrated a “meetup” with a sailing raft constructed from plastic bottles. The raft was a project to highlight attention to the problem of plastic pollution in the oceans, where the degraded plastic approaches granule size and poisons the food chain by small fish and invertebrate ingestion which accumulates in larger prey species. There is a visible large surface coverage area of undegraded and early stage degradation plastic, and the water column and floor dispersion extent of the degraded plastic haven't been determined. You just don't get a narrative like this in other ocean expedition books.

The second half of the books deals with the two voyages from Hawaii to Tarawa, and finally to Papua New Guinea. This section seems less intense with regard to the plan-launch-weather aspects that affected the northern portion. Instead in this section Roz devotes more effort to the aspects of the pollution problem and to the fact that islands in the Pacific are succumbing to a rising sea level, where very few feet of elevation remain before sea level will be high enough to intrude into the underground well supplies of drinking water. Heat and currents had a very large affect on this portion of the route. The inability to move south below the equator effectively prevented a planned stop in Tuvalu, and somewhat forced the rapid drift into Tarawa.

I was surprised that the WW2 significance of Tarawa wasn't mentioned. The Japanese empire had seized control of large portions of the Pacific from the mid 1930's. Tarawa might have been a better planned destination for Amelia Earhart in 1937 as a refueling stop had not the Japanese been there and were openly hostile to US craft. Given that the Kiribati nation of over 100,000 people consists of several atolls such as Tarawa, where almost all are threatened by rising sea level, I am wondering where they historically evacuated to 75 years ago to avoid the Japanese invasion, and if the relocation pattern might be adopted again. It may be that only key strategic islands were evacuated, with the population moving to lesser islands which could still be supplied. The Australian coast watchers were in the area and working with some islanders who may have been displaced. Tarawa was liberated in a very hard fought battle with high casualties over three days at the end of November 1943. I'm not sure when the normal population was able to return. If they came from the lesser islands at that time, these lesser islands today may not be sustainable with rising sea levels.

The general ocean current movements were explained, and the affect they had on this (and all) rowed voyages was explained, in particular with regard to planned chosen destinations and the secondary destinations that should be planned as alternates from the start. Roz made it pretty clear throughout the text that her rowing speed was slow. She detailed the specs of her boat, and those familiar with these craft will recognize this boat as having been designed for a tandem crew. I was surprised that it only took roughly 200 pounds to affect the balance in a roll-over recovery, but that is approximately 10% weight carried up high. So the total weight of the boat was increased as well as the additional keel area and ballast weight, probably making this boat feel like a forced experience rather than a joy to row. Roz also indicated her stature height. Being short is a deficit in sliding seat rowing, and probably in fixed seat rowing also. The oars being used to help prevent breakage were apparently solid wood, and at 30 pounds each, phenomenally heavy in comparison to normal recreational oars. This conjures up an image of a midget swinging tree trunks.

Roz detailed personal activities such as the rowing schedule, coping with the heat, diet, and the updating of the blog. Having a daily running blog that provides insight into the voyage as well as a discussion of external effects such as environment impact was a hallmark signature of Roz. Very few other ocean rowers do as good of a job of a timely blog update. The few who do are usually on the bigger boats with more people, where one or two of the people take on the job of external communication for the “publicity” of the voyage. Normal blog updating can be a chore, even for those who do it as a job. Roz indicated that it required a disciplined effort to maintain the blog activity, particularly given the communication set up where speeds were slow and most of the information was communicated verbally and the actual web site updated externally.

As to the plastic pollution message, I think this is a worthwhile message which is in the early stage of creating awareness. Unfortunately, until Wall Street finds a way to act, I doubt that any combined government activity will be effective. Consider that the key advice given to Dustin Hoffman in the “The Graduate” was “Plastics”. The movie was released within a two year time frame of the very first Earth Day in the US. Look which message carried the farthest. With Roz's message I wonder whether a tiny echo will indent a massive wall of indifference.

[Sarah Houldcroft · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing book by Roz Savage to inspire, uplift and inform. Yes you will be inspired to achieve more and know that if you really go for it you can achieve your goals. And yes you will feel that you have crossed the ocean with Roz, but you will also become much more aware that the life choices we are making is affecting our oceans, the creatures in it and the people who live at its edge.

This book lives on after you have read the last page. Roz's achievements and how she chooses to devote her time and energy is phenomenal. An inspiration to all who read her books.

Do I recommend it? Absolutely, you must read this book.

[Zainab Al Kubaish · Rating 2 out of 5]

I just finished listening to audio book version. I wanna start by saying I admire Roz and what she has accomplished. In my opinion, this could have worked better as podcast interview rather than an 8 hour book.

I found myself bored for the most part and in some parts I couldn’t understand Roz’s sense of humor/sarcasm/low key serious.

Great achievement. OK book.

[Iulia Mihet · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the kind of story that moves people into action. From riches to rags, Roz took the modern capitalist dream and flipped it on its head. And what a legend was born! A story about being tough and true to yourself for the sake of others (or in this case, the environment).

[Sarah Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book from Roz which I thoroughly enjoyed. I love reading about what it takes to complete an expedition like this, the endless challenges and obstacles and not letting setbacks get in the way. Roz does a great job of pulling an 8000 mile row into one book.

[Mary Whisner · Rating 3 out of 5]

My brother lent this to me years ago. After letting it on my bedside shelf for a long time, I picked it up and read it. Rowing solo across the Pacific isn’t a project I’d undertake (Lake Union is a good trip for me), but it was interesting to read about someone else doing it.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book about courage, determination, a just cause to highlight and an insight into the logistics and sheer effort in both body and mind that it takes to row across the Pacific. I loved it!!

[Kevin Conti · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the book, but I think I wanted something else out of the story. I could easily see someone else getting more out of this book than I did.

[Citlali Helenes González · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Thomas Brooks · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a favorite. Glad I read it; as I followed her when she rowed across the Pacific. Great detail on the troubles she faced.. But, I was thankful when it was over. A bit preachy.

[Stan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shortly after completing her row across the Atlantic in early 2006, Roz Savage and her ocean row boat, the Brocade, moved to San Francisco to prepare for the second leg of her goal to row the big three: the Atlantic, the Pacific and, the Indian Oceans. Stop Drifting, Start Rowing is based on the four summers she spent on the Pacific Ocean.

Savage’s original intent was to row from San Francisco to Hawai’i the first summer, from Hawai’i to a point in the South Pacific (initially Tuvalu but eventually Kiribati) the second, then on to Australia (in the end Papua New Guinea) the third summer. As she vividly describes in the book, the 2007 attempt was aborted after only a couple of weeks due to equipment problems and bad weather. This first summer’s false start includes some of the most challenging rowing on the voyage and has some of the best human – interest elements.

The reasons for altering the destinations for legs two and three are symbolic of the challenges of nature so clearly depicted in the book. They not only clearly delineate the limits the ocean puts on those who would accept a rowing challenge such as the one Roz did, but also showcase her dedication to achieving her goals and her courage in facing those challenges alone.

While it was during the Atlantic Row that the idea of using ocean rowing as a platform for showcasing her newfound environmental awareness, it was on the Pacific that specific elements of her future direction became apparent for Savage.

In the book, as in her almost daily blog posts from the Brocade, one sees her mission gain focus: from climate change to, climate impacts on the ocean, to the impact of plastics pollution on aquatic life. Today, though none of the early concerns have fallen off her radar, Roz spends most of her time working to reduce plastics pollution.

In keeping with the knowledge that recording every detail of some 300 days of rowing would not fit in a book of reasonable length, Stop Drifting, Start Rowing describes in some detail two or three events from each of the “legs” of the journey. “Rozlings” as the hard – core followers of her expedition blogs began calling themselves, may find the choice of story elements frustrating if their favorites got left on the editior’s desk. The uninitiated reader will simply find a compendium of well told stories summarizing pivotal events occurring in the course of a couple of million oar strokes. They will also share in Roz’s mental journey toward a clearer understanding of how to add meaning to her life through environmental advocacy.

Within those millions of oar strokes also lies the essential message of the book. How do you row across an 8000 mile wide ocean? You do it one oar stroke at a time. How do you solve a seemingly insurmountable environmental problem? You do it one small positive act for the environment at a time.

[Cloris Kylie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I often write about how seemingly menial, mundane experiences can be sources of big life lessons. If this is true, then imagine the lessons one could learn by rowing alone across the Pacific.
But . . . who would set out to row 8,000 miles alone?
A woman named Roz Savage did exactly that.
Through the thought-provoking recount of Roz’s voyage across the waves, Stop Drifting, Start Rowing, offers powerful insights on how to live a meaningful life.
The narrative is so captivating that I felt as though I was rowing side by side with Roz, eating Larabars for breakfast (which happen to also be my favorite,) overcoming capsizes, and dealing with a broken watermaker.
The most powerful life lesson in this story is how to deal with the unexpected. We might not be rowing across the ocean, trying to survive huge storms or rationing water, but we are still faced with plans going awry and with circumstances that we can’t control.
The message in the book is clear: In order to move forward, we need to be flexible and willing to achieve our goal in a different way or at a different time than originally planned. Not only that, but we also need to be able to trust ourselves, those around us, and the perfection of the universe to materialize our desires. As the quote that starts the chapter titled, “The Universe Will Provide” says, “Everything works out in the end. If it hasn’t worked out yet, then it’s not the end.”
This book also opened my mind to the impact of climate change in the world, which is what motivated Roz to complete solo rows across the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans.
I hadn’t realized that entire countries can potentially be swallowed by the rising waters in a span of only 50 years. Roz’s story raised my awareness of how I can be an instrument of positive change by reducing my carbon footprint. I do a lot of recycling, which is great, but I learned there’s a lot more I can do.
I encourage you to learn more about Roz Savage’s story and her environmental initiatives. Through her writing, this author shows that when we’re inspired, our idea takes a hold of us and guides us wherever we need to go.

For more inspirational stories, please visit my blog! www.cloriskylie.com and connect with me via FB (www.facebook.com/cloriskylie)

FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from Hay House Publishing for this review. The opinion in this review is unbiased and reflects my honest judgment of the product.

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you read Roz Savage's first book about rowing across the Atlantic, and wondered if her second book would be a lot of the same... wonder no more and pick up a copy of this fantastic read as soon as you can!

**Spoiler Alert**
As always, Roz had me fascinated with her determination, her routine on the sea, and her observations. I was gripped with fear living vicariously through this long adventure, but was never bored with what bits of wisdom she had to pass along. I appreciated her honestly and even more I loved the NEW adventures she had, the friends she met on the magnificently large Pacific Ocean... birds, spider, squid and human alike. These adventures had me laughing out loud and smiling as if I was right there in the boat experiencing some of the pleasantries and unpleasantries of rowing an ocean.

As with her last book, I was taken surprise by a sudden rush of teary emotion - but not at the end. No, it was when someone handed her a split coconut for her to drink the juice and whispering in her ear she didn't have to drink it if she didn't like it. But having read up to this point, even I wanted to drink that juice!!

This book was an interesting mix of memoir, eco-activism, environment related information, adventure, and inspiration. What I found most interesting and true was that in the end of this adventure, Roz realizes you don't "find" happiness... you define it. The other bit of wisdom I take away is that you don't climb a mountain in one giant step, you don't row an ocean with one pull of the oars, and therefore you don't find meaning in your life like a bolt of lightening... it is in the collective moments and choices that you find and define meaning.

It also in the collective decisions that we define our lives on Earth. It took lots of people making small decisions to create a giant trash heap in the middle of the ocean, killing the sea creatures, polluting our own little tiny rowboat in the giant sea of the Universe. It will take lots of people making those same small decisions in corrective behavior to fix this problem.

Thanks Roz!

[Renada Thompson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was honored to receive a preview copy and dove in eagerly. As much as I hate to say it, this book did not recapture the thrill Roz's first book, Rowing the Atlantic, held for me (five stars--a must-read!). Stop Drifting, Start Rowing feels slower, more deliberate, which is appropriate and maybe necessary for this title, but not quite as exciting for this landlocked reader.

Liked:
* Roz's passion for the environment and how she lived that out in extreme circumstances. (Refusing to bring plastic water bottles, for one thing!). I've never thought much about my environmental responsibility, but this was truly inspiring.
* Her honesty about the Coast Guard rescue situation. I could definitely picture myself struggling with the same choice and berating myself later, but I admire that it didn't end in bitterness.
* The "cozy" feeling of sharing the little world on the Brocade and vicariously enjoying the simple pleasures of stripped-down existence. (I immediately wanted to buy her tea tree and mint shower gel!)

Could have been better:
* Needed a clearer explanation at the beginning of the stages of the row. At least twice while reading I thought, "Wait, is this the end? Is the row over?" I needed more reminders of where Roz was at in each stage of the row vs. her overall goal of rowing the Pacific.
* Sounds crazy, but I got the impression that rowing that Pacific was "easier" than rowing the Atlantic. Thus this book deals less with the physical challenges of the row and more with Roz's environmental mission, which in itself is great, but somewhat of a disappointment if you're looking for more of the "adventure story" of the first book.

If you loved Rowing the Atlantic, read this for a deeper understanding of Roz's motivations and for your own inspiration. If you haven't, read the Atlantic story first!

Note: I received a review copy from the author. I was not compensated for this review, and my opinions are my own.

[PJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed this title, the next evolution in the life that is Roz Savage's. Her first title, "Rowing the Atlantic: Lessons Learned on the Open Ocean", was a grand adventure and I enjoyed that title as well. This new book, however, held a more deeply felt resonance for me.

The category description on the back cover reads "inspirational memoir" and never have I found something more accurate. This isn't simply a travelogue or even an adventure book, it's an inspiring tale of daring to dream, taking a chance on yourself, of living your dreams, and taking responsibility for one's actions.

If I may be allowed a play on words, not only does Roz's story INSPIRE but it gives the reader something to ASPIRE to. That's a very important distinction.

The adventure is there, don't mistake that. But this novel isn't a day by day breakdown of her ocean travels (thousands of miles of ocean, 23 feet of rowboat, and 5'4" of woman). She leaves the day to day events to her blog posts; this novel documents her thoughts, her emotions, her philosophy and her inner dialogue as she does something that is grand in scope and vision. Even as she's travelling the oceans she's living her beliefs, contemplating her environmental consciousness. That alone is an inspirational act.

Reading the words Roz has written, you can easily tell that Roz Savage is sharing a piece of herself for the benefit of others.

I highly recommend this memoir, and it's one for everyone - not only the arm chair adventurer, but also the person who never strays far from their neighborhood ... there are life lessons here to be cherished, and encouragements here to spare.

[Bruce Cline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished a preview copy of Stop Drifting START ROWING and LOVED IT! While I may be biased because I read every ocean rowing book I can get my hands on, Roz' second book is better than most I've read. While it includes the typical (?) tales of rolls, malfunctions, mistakes (like swimming away from her boat and almost not getting back), avoiding shipping, shark tales, etc., it is so much more. To me the most powerful element of this tale, aside from the sheer audacity of a transPacific row (!), is her commentary on the failing health of the ocean. I am NOT a tree hugger or anything approaching an ardent environmentalist, but this story is as compelling an argument for conservation and environmentally ethical living as any I have read. Amazingly, the most memorable parts of the book for me were those that spoke to the proliferation of plastics throughout the ocean. Reading her encounters with plastic from small bits clogging her water filters to larger chunks and whole bottles/items almost everyone is sobering, disillusioning, and mobilizing all in one. PICK this book up (preferably buy it--mine is on pre-order from Amazon) and read a great ocean rowing tale, a story about personal growth, snippets about wonderful people she met along the way, observations about the world in which we live and things we all need to do to ensure its existence as we know it, and so much more. Happy reading.

[Christine Zibas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an amazing adventure story, with a cautionary environmental tale to tell. Roz Savage, the book's author, abandoned a traditional life as a London management consultant, to become instead an ambassador for the environment even as she took on a Guiness Book of World Record challenge. First she rowed across the Atlantic. In this, her second phase, she tackles the Pacific. (She also rowed the Indian Ocean, and that, no doubt, will likely be the next book from Savage.)

Even as one can marvel at the drive and courage this journey required, Savage goes beyond the mere physical challenges to talk about what it means psychologically to face such a daunting journey. The book chronicles just how she addressed each and every setback, seeking to find a work-around to trials that might cause others to throw up their hands and give up.

Perhaps even more frustrating than trying to cross an ocean alone, however, is the difficulty in seeking to get nations to take concrete steps to address climate change in a meaningful way. She presents some of the most compelling evidence to do so: disappearing islands, a huge plastic dump mid-ocean. She also argues that individual change is required, even imperative, to have real change. One cannot rely on governments alone.

All in all, whether you read this for the travel adventure or the larger ecological message, the book has something valuable to offer the reader. A bonus are the well chosen quotes that open each chapter.

[Lorra · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I prefer her first book, this one was equally enthralling, however there were a few parts I felt were a bit slow compared to her life ON the ocean and in foreign lands like Kiribati (which I'd read about before in The Sex Lives of Cannibals). I would have liked more heft to the book I suppose - for such a huge ocean and amount of time, the book felt a bit thin!

I actually liked the second half of the book the best. Even with the minor flaws I think the book has, it is definitely one I'd recommend, as Roz is a deeply inspiring woman. I feel a kinship with her, as I think many people will. She reminds me a lot of Robyn Davidson, who wrote Tracks, about her journey across Australia in the 70s with her camels and dog, who said that perhaps National Geographic wouldn't want to do a story on an ordinary woman - but it is just that - "ordinary" people do extraordinary things all the time. The difference between us all is that some of us actually decide to put ourselves to the test, push waaaaay past our comfort zones and see what we can actually do. And that's Roz!

I hope there's another volume about the Indian Ocean row, Roz! Can't wait for it.

[Sharry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Roz Savage took a long look at her life, even going so far as to write an obituary that would describe it, and decided she didn't like it. She wrote an obituary that described the life she wanted to lead, and then decided to lead it. She found a passion in fighting for the environment, and woke up one day realizing she could share her message by rowing across the world's biggest oceans. First the Atlantic, then the Pacific, and finally the Indian. Stop Drifting, Start Rowing: One Woman's Search for Happiness and Meaning Alone on the Pacific is the story of Savage's journey across the Pacific. Savage not only describes the hardships and joys she encountered becoming the first woman to row solo across the Pacific Ocean, but shares her concerns about Earth's environment and how convinced she is that every single one of us bears responsibility in solving the problems. Stop Drifting, Start Rowing: One Woman's Search for Happiness and Meaning Alone on the Pacific without a doubt does the job Savage wanted it to by sharing her story and her passion.

[Mary Kadzielski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stop Drifting, Start Rowing is full of reminders to take risks and pursue what's important to you and the tale of one person putting the greater good ahead of her personal comfort. It's a great mix of environmental and inspirational messages and adventure. Interspersed with the details of the row, Roz meets interesting figures and explores relevant topics from plastic pollution to sea level rise and environmental refugees and paints a picture of a cleaner, greener world while encouraging everyone to do his part.

[Jeanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

As an armchair adventurer I have to say I rather enjoyed this book. The author didn't gripe about the day to day troubles of rowing across the Pacific, but rather focused on the big picture of environmental concerns. Most interesting was her time on Kiribati, and island nation that is losing ground to rising seas from global warming daily. The enormity of our impact on the oceans with garbage, especially plastic garbage is also brought to light.

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent follow-up to her first book, Rowing the Atlantic. It not only covers the events of her Pacific crossing, but also speaks to environmental issues (witnessed both first- and second-hand during the course of the journey) and overcoming adversities that life may throw at us.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this book was like going on a journey with Roz! Her attention to detail painted an amazing picture for me that brought the "realness" of her experience to life. I didn't want to put it down and each time I picked it up again, I was hoisted away on the Brocade once again. Her adventure broke world records, teaches resiliency and purpose and inspires people like me around the world. Go Roz!!

[Lesley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe I just do not get why she needed to do this. Ok at times it there was interesting chapters. I liked the one about the wild life she came upon. Uhmm rowing in the nude! Therescue from coast guard! Yes I get she has an environmental mission and is very health conscious but crossly the ocean told us what about her message. I guess I was also disappointed in her title if the book. I didn't see those answers. But bravo for having the mindset to accomplish this goal!

[Renuka · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did like her first book better about her insights when crossing the Atlantic Ocean. Even so, this book about her adventures when she rowed solo across the Pacific Ocean in a 23 foot boat was also good. I loved hearing about how she didn't give up hope even when things didn't turn out as she would have wanted. Roz Savage has a lot of dedication and brought attention to an important environmental issue - littering in the oceans.