Our Last Chance: Sixty-Six Deadly Days Adrift

by Bill Butler, Simonne Butler, William A. Butler

The true story of Bill Butler's adventure while adrift at sea for 66 days in a life raft after his 39 foot sailboat was bashed and sunk by whales. He tells how he and his wife survived by catching fish with their hands and by making fresh water from salt water using a lifesaving hand pump. There are several close encounters with sharks, turtles and other marine life.

Genres: Survival, Nonfiction, Memoir, Adventure

313 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 1992

About the author

Bill Butler was poet, publisher and proprietor of the Unicorn Bookshop. He was interested in mythology, folklore and fairy tales, and particularly in the meaning of symbols used in Ceremonial Magic, Shamistic Religions and Epic Poetry.

Reviews

[Ceeceereads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a true horror in every sense of the word.

I have lived for the casual death threats and unhinged cascade of verbal abuse from his beloved Sim. On this perilous watery excursion, one can hardly blame her. But despite the hilariously normal bickering back and forth, this is the story of two people in a dangerous and increasingly desperate situation. Suffice to say this is a nightmare come to life. 5 stars.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Real story involving the father of someone I used to work with at Greenberg Traurig.

[Brad_Ayotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

66 Days Adrift is a nonfiction book that tells the story of two shipwrecked boaters and the challenges they face on a leaking raft. Bill Butler is an experienced sailor who has dedicated most of his time to the ocean. While on a trip with his wife, Simonne, in search of a little piece of paradise disaster struck and a pod of whales attacked their sailboat. While on the raft Bill and Simonne face many challenges in which they use what they had grabbed from the sinking ship to solve the issues at hand while they wait and hope to be found. This book is a great read for anyone that is into survival books but it also is a great read for anyone who is interested in books about the ocean because throughout the book Bill uses his knowledge of the ocean to help them survive. I really liked how in depth they go into explaining what they did and how they did it in some ways its somewhat informational at times, I also enjoyed the dual perspectives from family members on shore and the raft. One thing I disliked about the book was the repetitiveness, during the book they kind of did the same things repeatedly which got a little boring at times. Something I found super interesting about the book is that someone really went through this, you can search up the whole incident the book is completely factual and that’s something that just kind of blew my mind. Another interesting fact which you learn in the book is that Siboney had already sunk once before and they had completely rebuilt the boat. Overall, I give this book four out of five stars due to the repetitiveness but overall is a great read and I would recommend it to anyone with a survival or adventure taste.

[Janet LoSole · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's difficult to write about a 66-day experience that does not vary much. Bill Butler manages it is well, though, describing a harrowing ordeal aboard a dinghy, bobbing on the Pacific Ocean. Everyday there seems to be a constant threat from the same culprits: the weather, sharks, and sea turtles. How anyone could successfully survive this is beyond my comprehension, but they did. The relationship did not fare as well as their lives, admittedly, but it is a true testament to the strength of the human spirit.

[Tommy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought it was a really nice book, the journey had me hooked, but Simonne's whining and accusations were a constant everyday struggle when I'd be reading. I kinda get that they're in the moment of survival but I had to read a whole lot of complaining. Very glad they both made it home alive to tell this tale.

[Rebekah Theilen · Rating 5 out of 5]

While this book held my attention from cover to cover, the daily, nightly, too often hourly perils faced by this couple for such a long period of time as castaways at sea make it hard for me to give it a full five stars in terms of enjoyment. The story is still incredible though, and this book will definitely stick with me as I have come away changed.

[DB · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great survival story. It was a real page turner for me. Loved it.

[Rebecca Forrest · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting read, a definite page turner!

[The Farmer's Wife · Rating 4 out of 5]

More like three and a half. A riveting story to be sure. A tad long.

[Joe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the best written book… understandably, but what a great story

[Arthur C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book because it so effectively put me in the raft with them, and I was scared as hell.

[aswang7890 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an exhilarating and thrilling story about a man and his wife who suffers a shipwreck out at sea after a gang of whales fatally beat up their boat. They then spend the next 66 days on a "little-raft-that-could" out in the Pacific Ocean close to central America (around Costa Rica/Nicaragua). William Butler did a great job describing the daily situations that I often felt like I was the third person on the raft. During their meandering out at sea, they are constantly harassed by all sorts of air/sea creatures (sharks, 10-foot spotty dolphins, turtles, triggerfish (that sounded like barracudas)). Mr. Butler is funny as heck, too! Their constant bickering/back-and-forths were hilarious a lot of times, especially when Butler would say what he was thinking before he would say something to his wife. His wife, Simmone, was no slouch, either. Her responses to Bill were absolute zingers, too. I'm sure someone who sails would appreciate the additional info about boats, sea travel, survival tips (get an EPIRB!), etc. I couldn't get into them since I know zilch about sailing except that I get easily seasick. P.S. I guess things like this happens a lot. I saw a lot of similar books about people getting lost out at sea, just different number of days (75 days out at sea, 90 days out at sea,,,).

[Terri Sinclair · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book although I would have loved some photos or diagrams. My copy did not have the photos on the cover (as shown) and it would have given me a better idea of the space. Incredible story. Unimaginable. Having sailed years ago, a Davidson 44' racing boat, I had more of a day sailing experience. This was my biggest fear, adrift at sea. I really enjoyed the book and would recommend it. It's one of the better I've read of it's kind and while some get very technical this was written in layman's terms. Still would have appreciated some photos or diagrams though.

[Stan Armiger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gripping reading, the author put you through all the emotions from despair to exultation. Plenty of dialogue between the couple including black humour and their growing Christian faith and their reliance on this. The author manages to make you feel that you were there and experience all that they went through.

[Your Mom · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was a horrible read. The entire book was just filled with Simonnes whining (which is understandible), and with Bills gruff and uncaring response. Although, I can relate to Bill and Simonne. Trying to read this book filled me with such boredom, I felt like I was stuck in raft headed nowhere. You drag youreself along through the entire book, just to recieve a dis-satisfying ending.

[Jackie Parry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Will have you at the edge of your seat - a true story of an amazing man and his wife - surviving against all odds. I've met Bill and he is a genuine lovely guy. Believe every word of his story, it is inspiring.

[Connie Curtis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing story of survival after a pod of whales attacked and capsized a boat!

[Charles F. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting story of survival.

[Marla · Rating 1 out of 5]

I love survival stories but this one...I had to make myself finish.

[Don · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm sure the book read as tedious as it was to be stuck in that raft for 66 days.

[Jeny Wariner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know minimal amounts about sailing...

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book. Not great but good. Got a little tedious (as I'm sure it was for those two souls stuck on that little life raft for 66 days).

[Daniel Brink · Rating 4 out of 5]

Felt like I was in that raft.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book on the art of being prepared, and when you are out on the open sea, watch out for whales. They can be deadly.