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Lost!: A Harrowing True Story of Disaster at Sea
In July 1973, Bob Tininenko, his wife Linda, and his brother in-law Jim Fisher set sail from Tacoma, Washington, on a 31-foot trimaran, down the West Coast to Costa Rica. The journey was expected to take a matter of weeks, but 10 days into the cruise, the party encountered a freak storm off the coast of Northern California. When gale-force winds and 50-foot waves capsized their boat, the voyage became a nightmare.
For 72 days, the trio was lost at sea. Challenged by nature and compromised by a bitter rivalry, their courage and will to live was put to the ultimate test. Jim, the owner and skipper of the boat, was a devout fundamentalist whose recognition of God's will in every event brought him into increasing conflict with his brother-in-law. As the two men battled to take control of a dire situation, Linda kept a secret that would lead to heartrending tragedy.
A "hair-raising" (Houston Chronicle) account of shipwreck and survival and a searing portrait of faith without reason, Lost! is an unforgettable true story from "a writer of tremendous power and achievement" (Detroit Free Press).
For 72 days, the trio was lost at sea. Challenged by nature and compromised by a bitter rivalry, their courage and will to live was put to the ultimate test. Jim, the owner and skipper of the boat, was a devout fundamentalist whose recognition of God's will in every event brought him into increasing conflict with his brother-in-law. As the two men battled to take control of a dire situation, Linda kept a secret that would lead to heartrending tragedy.
A "hair-raising" (Houston Chronicle) account of shipwreck and survival and a searing portrait of faith without reason, Lost! is an unforgettable true story from "a writer of tremendous power and achievement" (Detroit Free Press).
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First published January 28, 1975
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About the author
Thomas Thompson
216 books84 followersHe was born in Texas and graduated from the University of Texas in 1955. He then worked as a reporter and editor at the Houston Press.
Thompson joined Life Magazine in 1961 and became an editor and staff writer. While at Life he covered the JFK assassination and was the first writer to locate Lee Harvey Oswald's home and wife. Among his stories were coverage of the making of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band by the Beatles, in which he revealed the group's extensive drug use; an in-depth look at Frank Sinatra and his alleged Mafia ties; and the 40th and 50th birthdays of Elizabeth Taylor.
His book Hearts (1971) concerned the rivalry between Houston surgeons Michael DeBakey and Denton Cooley at the dawn of the heart transplant era. Richie: The Ultimate Tragedy Between One Decent Man and the Son He Loved (1973) was the story of a Long Island man who killed his drug-addicted son. This was made into a TV-movie called The Death of Richie. Thompson's most successful book was Blood and Money (1976). It was based on a true story of scandal and murder. The book sold four million copies in fourteen languages. Thompson also wrote Serpentine (1979), the story of convicted murderer Charles Sobhraj. Thompson wrote one novel, Celebrity (1982), which was on the national best-seller list for six months. That novel became the basis for a five hour mini series in 1984.
Thompson received the National Headliner Award for investigative reporting. He was also the 1977 Edgar Award winner for Blood and Money.
"Thompson first wrote Western stories for pulp magazines in 1940 after stints as a sailor, a nightclub entertainer, a secretary and a furniture salesman. He later published hundreds of articles in national general-interest magazines and wrote 25 Western novels, including “Range Drifter,” “Shadow of the Butte” and “Bitter Water.” (latimes.com)
He was a co-founder and president in 1957 of Western Writers of America and later received two of that group’s Spur Awards for his writing. Thompson was a life member of the National Cowboy Hall of Fame."
Thompson's family believed that the liver disease that caused his death was contracted in the Far East while investigating the Charles Sobhraj saga. When he became ill, Thomas was teaching writing at the University of Southern California.
Thompson joined Life Magazine in 1961 and became an editor and staff writer. While at Life he covered the JFK assassination and was the first writer to locate Lee Harvey Oswald's home and wife. Among his stories were coverage of the making of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band by the Beatles, in which he revealed the group's extensive drug use; an in-depth look at Frank Sinatra and his alleged Mafia ties; and the 40th and 50th birthdays of Elizabeth Taylor.
His book Hearts (1971) concerned the rivalry between Houston surgeons Michael DeBakey and Denton Cooley at the dawn of the heart transplant era. Richie: The Ultimate Tragedy Between One Decent Man and the Son He Loved (1973) was the story of a Long Island man who killed his drug-addicted son. This was made into a TV-movie called The Death of Richie. Thompson's most successful book was Blood and Money (1976). It was based on a true story of scandal and murder. The book sold four million copies in fourteen languages. Thompson also wrote Serpentine (1979), the story of convicted murderer Charles Sobhraj. Thompson wrote one novel, Celebrity (1982), which was on the national best-seller list for six months. That novel became the basis for a five hour mini series in 1984.
Thompson received the National Headliner Award for investigative reporting. He was also the 1977 Edgar Award winner for Blood and Money.
"Thompson first wrote Western stories for pulp magazines in 1940 after stints as a sailor, a nightclub entertainer, a secretary and a furniture salesman. He later published hundreds of articles in national general-interest magazines and wrote 25 Western novels, including “Range Drifter,” “Shadow of the Butte” and “Bitter Water.” (latimes.com)
He was a co-founder and president in 1957 of Western Writers of America and later received two of that group’s Spur Awards for his writing. Thompson was a life member of the National Cowboy Hall of Fame."
Thompson's family believed that the liver disease that caused his death was contracted in the Far East while investigating the Charles Sobhraj saga. When he became ill, Thomas was teaching writing at the University of Southern California.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
March 31, 2022
5.0 stars —“Lost” is the third book I have read by Thomas Thompson and this is the third book I’m rating 5 stars. He could literally write on any subject and make it an interesting page-turner. I do not typically enjoy or read books about individuals being lost at sea and their quest for survival but I could not put this one down. Other than “Unbreakable” this is one of the finest non-fiction books I have read. “Lost “ follows the journey of 3 family members as they attempt to sail from Tacoma, Washington to Costa Rica in a trimaran boat so that one of the members of the family, Jim could begin missionary work. When the boat overturns during a violent storm, Jim as well as his brother and sister in law, Bob and Linda, attempt to survive in the overturned boat until they can be rescued. This heartbreaking account of what the 3 did in an attempt to survive is beautifully written and held me mesmerized from start to finish. Despite the fact this book was written about events that occurred in 1973, it lost none of of its amazing poignancy over the last 50 years. I can’t recommend this book enough and look forward to reading the remainder of Thompson”s books over the next few years.
May 15, 2022
4.5 stars. This was a gripping and distressing tale about the struggle for survival at sea in 1973. It is a true, dramatic account of events and conflicts written in 1975. The book is available on Kindle Unlimited.
Jim Fisher was captain of a sturdy trimaran that he built himself. He belonged to restrictive fundamentalist religion. He planned to sail down the West Coast from Washington State to Costa Rica. There we would fulfill his lifetime goal of working as a missionary. Onboard were his brother-in-law, Bob Tininemko and his wife, Linda. Bob had withdrawn from the church and its teachings much earlier, and he and his wife, Linda, were along for the sailing adventure.
Jim lived his life as a strict adherent to his religious beliefs, with much prayer and avoidance of forbidden entertainment and books except for his Bible. He found there were answers to everything, especially in the Old Testament. He viewed anything that might happen to him as the will of God, and not to interfere with God's plan by one's own efforts.
Within three days of the voyage, they ran into a ferocious storm with 50-foot waves. Bob managed to keep the ship upright, but trouble began almost at once. Jim, a man of discipline and prayer, had lied about having a radio license. This was a condition that Bob and Linda insisted on to enable them to speak with their families. Jim also stated that he contacted the Coast Guard and help was on the way. This kept hopes up for Bob and Linda, but actually, Jim had reported that all was well. Jim did not listen to Bob's directions about steering the boat, and it was soon upsidedown in the sea. Conditions were horrible inside the water-drenched, steamy part of the ship they could access. Some of the food and water bottles they were able to rescue went missing, as did their water distiller. Bob and Linda had their suspicions.
The conditions were so unhealthy, that it is a wonder they survived a few days. Amazingly, rescue only arrived after they had been adrift for 72 days with little food or water, and enduring the condition of sweltering heat. Bob and Jim were in conflict and that became hostile. Jim believed that doing anything practical to aid in a rescue effort was against God's will. He firmly believed that he could bring Bob back to his religion through five days of prayer and preaching that they would be saved. Linda served as a mediator and peacemaker between the two men. She had not admitted that she was pregnant, fearing that she would be rejected from the sailing adventure. She grew increasingly ill.
What did the rescuers find after 72 days? What was the fate of the castaways? This was the grimmest and most incredible small ship tragedy I have ever read. It was well-documented and very readable and suspenseful.
Jim Fisher was captain of a sturdy trimaran that he built himself. He belonged to restrictive fundamentalist religion. He planned to sail down the West Coast from Washington State to Costa Rica. There we would fulfill his lifetime goal of working as a missionary. Onboard were his brother-in-law, Bob Tininemko and his wife, Linda. Bob had withdrawn from the church and its teachings much earlier, and he and his wife, Linda, were along for the sailing adventure.
Jim lived his life as a strict adherent to his religious beliefs, with much prayer and avoidance of forbidden entertainment and books except for his Bible. He found there were answers to everything, especially in the Old Testament. He viewed anything that might happen to him as the will of God, and not to interfere with God's plan by one's own efforts.
Within three days of the voyage, they ran into a ferocious storm with 50-foot waves. Bob managed to keep the ship upright, but trouble began almost at once. Jim, a man of discipline and prayer, had lied about having a radio license. This was a condition that Bob and Linda insisted on to enable them to speak with their families. Jim also stated that he contacted the Coast Guard and help was on the way. This kept hopes up for Bob and Linda, but actually, Jim had reported that all was well. Jim did not listen to Bob's directions about steering the boat, and it was soon upsidedown in the sea. Conditions were horrible inside the water-drenched, steamy part of the ship they could access. Some of the food and water bottles they were able to rescue went missing, as did their water distiller. Bob and Linda had their suspicions.
The conditions were so unhealthy, that it is a wonder they survived a few days. Amazingly, rescue only arrived after they had been adrift for 72 days with little food or water, and enduring the condition of sweltering heat. Bob and Jim were in conflict and that became hostile. Jim believed that doing anything practical to aid in a rescue effort was against God's will. He firmly believed that he could bring Bob back to his religion through five days of prayer and preaching that they would be saved. Linda served as a mediator and peacemaker between the two men. She had not admitted that she was pregnant, fearing that she would be rejected from the sailing adventure. She grew increasingly ill.
What did the rescuers find after 72 days? What was the fate of the castaways? This was the grimmest and most incredible small ship tragedy I have ever read. It was well-documented and very readable and suspenseful.
August 15, 2019
5 Stars. I read this jewel in 2 days. Couldn't put it down!
January 2, 2017
This was such a fantastic read. I read it in 2 days because I could not lay it down. Such good writing and builder of suspense. This really happened by the way and I highly recommend this book. See if you can get a copy somewhere. It is about being shipwrecked and what happens when a man of faith, a man who is skeptical and a young woman are trying to fight for survival.
This is a superb author.!
This is a superb author.!
June 13, 2014
Imagine being trapped on a sailboat with Rick Santorum for over seventy days and you'll have an idea of what "Lost" is about.
Lost is a very entertaining book but it seems to sacrifice telling the real trauma of being lost at sea for seventy days with little food or fresh water in favor of a constant debate between a true believer and an agnostic. I found the religious dialogue a little tiring, especially towards the end of the book.
Lost is a very entertaining book but it seems to sacrifice telling the real trauma of being lost at sea for seventy days with little food or fresh water in favor of a constant debate between a true believer and an agnostic. I found the religious dialogue a little tiring, especially towards the end of the book.
June 24, 2019
this book was great but deeply disturbing because it goes to show how people can get so wrapped up in what they believe is right that they can't see common sense... it was definitely all it was described to be.
August 25, 2008
PAGE TURNING account of 3 people who capsized off the Pacific coast of U.S. Most interesting was the perspective of the fundamentalist 7th Day Adventist on board. What an eye-opener!
January 5, 2021
What a haunting book with which to start the year! I have read many true life adventure stories, including a number of tales of people who were capsized at sea. But this is the first featuring a devout Seventh Day Adventist and an agnostic. The agnostic is clearly laid out as being the most level-headed and capable and kind, which I found a bit annoying only because it felt imbalanced - but the book still gives much to ponder on the role of God’s will vs. human effort. How can a believer take care that their faith does not become a liability in desperate situations? Absolutely fascinating, superbly written, and a story that will stay with me for a long time.
August 9, 2019
Another terrific book by Thomas Thompson. It's called "harrowing" and that is an understatement if ever there was one. I started reading this book one night and was quickly engrossed in it. I also realized that it was sure to give me nightmares, so I set it aside to finish during the day. Like a Charles Williams novel, but real.
August 13, 2007
This is a great book about 3 people lost at sea in a capsized boat--it's also about God and faith and what that makes people do. A must-read. This is the first non-fiction book to become one of my all-time favorite books.
September 6, 2019
Interesting, frustrating story, and definitely written (and edited) by a man. The line about using makeup “as so many women do” frustrated me to no end and was unnecessary. The sentence would have been just as strong without that addition.
November 2, 2024
Oh my, this certainly was harrowing!! Well worth the listen.
April 11, 2022
This may be the craziest survival story I've ever read, because I have never heard of a person so willingly sabotage himself and his stranded crew. You're telling me this dude Jim threw out supplies on purpose??? All in the name of God and not interfering with ~his plan~ but oh it's okay to lie to your family repeatedly and sneak food and drink for yourself? Absolutely maddening. Jim is a flop.
It makes for an interesting story though. I really felt for the other two passengers having to deal with Jim and his crackheadery. There's a couple shocking twists to the story I didn't see coming, which kept me reading further. The ending felt very short. Unfortunately there's not a lot of info on the internet about this story, so I really wish the author had expanded the ending better to give us more details on the families involved and what happened next.
It makes for an interesting story though. I really felt for the other two passengers having to deal with Jim and his crackheadery. There's a couple shocking twists to the story I didn't see coming, which kept me reading further. The ending felt very short. Unfortunately there's not a lot of info on the internet about this story, so I really wish the author had expanded the ending better to give us more details on the families involved and what happened next.
June 15, 2021
Better than nothing
These victims deserved better than this quick read with a silly plot, an unclear POV, and a sense of self-importance not supported by the quality of the writing.
These victims deserved better than this quick read with a silly plot, an unclear POV, and a sense of self-importance not supported by the quality of the writing.
September 28, 2021
This was a fascinating and sad true story of three people shipwrecked in the Pacific while journeying on a sailboat from the West Coast of the US down to Costa Rica. I found the religious aspect of the story to be really interesting, the huge conflict between, on the one hand, a man who believes God will rescue them to the point that any lifesaving efforts mean a lack of faith; and on the other hand, a man who had been part of that faith but left because his hard questions about ideas like that and so many other things never got answered.
There are a lot of sad things in the story and also quite a few things that made me angry, especially in how Jim made choices that really affected and hurt others on the boat but didn’t really seem to make the connections regarding what he’d done. He threw away food and a water purifier and boat pieces that could have saved Linda’s life or his own, yet didn’t seem to see his own hand in what killed her. This is an excellent example of “spiritual bypassing,” of basically using faith as a way to avoid something difficult to confront. Jim could just say that everything that happened was God’s will. It’s not healthy faith. I really wonder how much Bob struggled with psychological trauma after that whole thing, especially because he didn’t even have the benefit of really feeling like he’d struggled together with people to beat this crisis; instead, he’d basically had to fight against a possible saboteur who he could hardly have a conversation with sometimes because of the spiritual bypassing, and he lost his wife and unborn child, and at the end of it all was the only survivor. What a sad, horrible trauma.
I found it interesting at the end to see how far the boat had traveled. That’s a HUGE ocean.
There were a couple bits of language that I didn’t like which definitely showed his dated this book is; the author speaks of Linda and her Japanese mother in a few ways that aren’t great (like calling Linda “that melange of the exotic and the wholesome,” as though it’s not wholesome to be Japanese??). There was a rather condescending and inaccurate statement about women and cosmetics. He also refers to someone as “the poster-perfect Aryan” which, uhhhhh—pretty sure isn’t a way anyone other than Nazis describe someone. These kind of random bits in an otherwise great book were my main reason for four stars rather than five.
There are a lot of sad things in the story and also quite a few things that made me angry, especially in how Jim made choices that really affected and hurt others on the boat but didn’t really seem to make the connections regarding what he’d done. He threw away food and a water purifier and boat pieces that could have saved Linda’s life or his own, yet didn’t seem to see his own hand in what killed her. This is an excellent example of “spiritual bypassing,” of basically using faith as a way to avoid something difficult to confront. Jim could just say that everything that happened was God’s will. It’s not healthy faith. I really wonder how much Bob struggled with psychological trauma after that whole thing, especially because he didn’t even have the benefit of really feeling like he’d struggled together with people to beat this crisis; instead, he’d basically had to fight against a possible saboteur who he could hardly have a conversation with sometimes because of the spiritual bypassing, and he lost his wife and unborn child, and at the end of it all was the only survivor. What a sad, horrible trauma.
I found it interesting at the end to see how far the boat had traveled. That’s a HUGE ocean.
There were a couple bits of language that I didn’t like which definitely showed his dated this book is; the author speaks of Linda and her Japanese mother in a few ways that aren’t great (like calling Linda “that melange of the exotic and the wholesome,” as though it’s not wholesome to be Japanese??). There was a rather condescending and inaccurate statement about women and cosmetics. He also refers to someone as “the poster-perfect Aryan” which, uhhhhh—pretty sure isn’t a way anyone other than Nazis describe someone. These kind of random bits in an otherwise great book were my main reason for four stars rather than five.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 3, 2021
In 1973, Jim, his brother in law Bob, and Bob’s wife Linda set sail in Jim’s trimaran for Costa Rica, but they run into a dangerous storm on the way and the trimaran is flipped. What follows is a sad, harrowing story of survival that I could not put down.
The central conflict of the story is Jim’s Seventh Day Adventist faith vs. Bob’s unbelief. Jim does a lot of crazy, mind-boggling things like throw away food and a water desalination kit that could have saved his and Linda’s life, all because he thought God would rescue them sooner. It was sad to see Jim’s warped view of God and maddening that he couldn’t see that the things he got rid of WERE God’s provision for them until they were rescued.
The book was great but it really left me wanting more. I wish the author had gotten more of the perspectives of the families. We didn’t hear anything from Linda’s family. I also wanted to hear more of the aftermath of this story. What happened to Bob afterwards? How did this tragedy affect his life? Seeing how the author died only 10 years after this happened, I guess that’s not possible.
It also contained some lines that really date the book, mostly regarding Linda and her appearance. When Linda finds her purse with her makeup undamaged, the author wrote that she found comfort in them “as most women do”. Without that line, I don’t have an issue, but not all women find comfort in makeup.
The central conflict of the story is Jim’s Seventh Day Adventist faith vs. Bob’s unbelief. Jim does a lot of crazy, mind-boggling things like throw away food and a water desalination kit that could have saved his and Linda’s life, all because he thought God would rescue them sooner. It was sad to see Jim’s warped view of God and maddening that he couldn’t see that the things he got rid of WERE God’s provision for them until they were rescued.
The book was great but it really left me wanting more. I wish the author had gotten more of the perspectives of the families. We didn’t hear anything from Linda’s family. I also wanted to hear more of the aftermath of this story. What happened to Bob afterwards? How did this tragedy affect his life? Seeing how the author died only 10 years after this happened, I guess that’s not possible.
It also contained some lines that really date the book, mostly regarding Linda and her appearance. When Linda finds her purse with her makeup undamaged, the author wrote that she found comfort in them “as most women do”. Without that line, I don’t have an issue, but not all women find comfort in makeup.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 29, 2021
I will never forget this book
I like sailing adventure stories. This story is extremely grim and does not have a totally happy ending. I do think it’s a good book about death and dying and grit and courage and religion. I found the psychology of the characters extremely interesting. Again, I have been sailing all my life and I enjoy sailing stories. People need to know what they’re doing.
Recently I got on a yacht to help a senile pal without the proper preparation and luckily I was able to download some navigational equipment onto my iPhone and get us where we need to go and I did not go out into the Gulf of Mexico. But I had a navigate across a bay that has shallow areas a ship channel and two other channels. Lots of people buy boats without knowing what they need to know.
I like sailing adventure stories. This story is extremely grim and does not have a totally happy ending. I do think it’s a good book about death and dying and grit and courage and religion. I found the psychology of the characters extremely interesting. Again, I have been sailing all my life and I enjoy sailing stories. People need to know what they’re doing.
Recently I got on a yacht to help a senile pal without the proper preparation and luckily I was able to download some navigational equipment onto my iPhone and get us where we need to go and I did not go out into the Gulf of Mexico. But I had a navigate across a bay that has shallow areas a ship channel and two other channels. Lots of people buy boats without knowing what they need to know.
August 20, 2019
How would you act
Religious hypocrisy, A foolish attempt. A story of survival, but not everyone. What would you have done. It was interesting
Religious hypocrisy, A foolish attempt. A story of survival, but not everyone. What would you have done. It was interesting
June 3, 2017
Reading this book made me want to beat my head against a wall on numerous occasions, but it certainly was a fascinating read.
August 13, 2018
Hard to put down once you start it. These ocean survival stories remind me why I don't want to take on anything like this, especially on a smaller vessel. I would recommend.
May 27, 2020
My friend Bob...
What a terrible 75 plus days..
Must read for sailors.
What a terrible 75 plus days..
Must read for sailors.
September 17, 2025
“...survival is the most powerful of human instincts. In fact, it is the only one that really matters. Survival or death.”
Wow. Lost! is a captivating true story that I had never heard of until I saw the intriguing cover art on Kindle Unlimited. This is an absolute must-read for sailors.
In July 1973, a trio - Bob Tininenko, his wife Linda, and his brother-in-law Jim Fisher - set off from Tacoma, WA, aboard a 31-foot homemade trimaran named Triton. The intention is to sail down the Pacific Coast to Costa Rica, where Jim will serve as a missionary for the next four years.
Some important context that really drives the story: Jim is a devout Adventist. Like, a really, really devout fundamentalist. Bob has left the church and wants very little to do with Jim’s piety. Linda is somewhere in the middle. And they all got on a small boat, planning to sail for several weeks together on a challenging journey. What could possibly go wrong?
Well, about 10 days into the voyage, Triton encounters a storm and capsizes. The crew finds themselves living in an 18-inch air pocket in the overturned hull with minimal supplies.
The three fight to survive, which is where the individuals' beliefs start to truly show. Jim relies on his religious devotion, stating that rescue will come if it is God's will. Meanwhile, Bob is very pragmatic. And Jim really does not like Bob interfering with “God’s plan” by trying to make the overturned vessel more visible and rationing food, amongst other practical choices to stay alive.
The story is one of psychological endurance, frustration, and tension. Thompson does an excellent job turning Bob's testimony into a vivid, engaging narrative. This book was an absolute page-turner for me. We learn more and more about each character and their values as the days under the hull go on. I could imagine the setting and feel the characters' despair.
The Triton is found after 72 days at sea. The conclusion leaves me feeling shocked, sad, and also grateful for the survivor/s (don't want to spoil the ending here!). Survival in dire conditions is a result of mental resilience, physical shape, and pure luck. The Triton's story explores a polarizing question: How much does faith help survival, and at what point does it hinder survival?
No matter your religious standing, there is a balance between faith and pragmatism. Decisions result in consequences. At sea, your decisions may or may not result in your survival.
This story has several great takeaways for mariners, including considering your crew's experience, knowledge, and compatibility. Lost! was the perfect thought-provoking read for me as an agnostic (former Christian) sailor, with a passion for boating education.
Wow. Lost! is a captivating true story that I had never heard of until I saw the intriguing cover art on Kindle Unlimited. This is an absolute must-read for sailors.
In July 1973, a trio - Bob Tininenko, his wife Linda, and his brother-in-law Jim Fisher - set off from Tacoma, WA, aboard a 31-foot homemade trimaran named Triton. The intention is to sail down the Pacific Coast to Costa Rica, where Jim will serve as a missionary for the next four years.
Some important context that really drives the story: Jim is a devout Adventist. Like, a really, really devout fundamentalist. Bob has left the church and wants very little to do with Jim’s piety. Linda is somewhere in the middle. And they all got on a small boat, planning to sail for several weeks together on a challenging journey. What could possibly go wrong?
Well, about 10 days into the voyage, Triton encounters a storm and capsizes. The crew finds themselves living in an 18-inch air pocket in the overturned hull with minimal supplies.
The three fight to survive, which is where the individuals' beliefs start to truly show. Jim relies on his religious devotion, stating that rescue will come if it is God's will. Meanwhile, Bob is very pragmatic. And Jim really does not like Bob interfering with “God’s plan” by trying to make the overturned vessel more visible and rationing food, amongst other practical choices to stay alive.
The story is one of psychological endurance, frustration, and tension. Thompson does an excellent job turning Bob's testimony into a vivid, engaging narrative. This book was an absolute page-turner for me. We learn more and more about each character and their values as the days under the hull go on. I could imagine the setting and feel the characters' despair.
The Triton is found after 72 days at sea. The conclusion leaves me feeling shocked, sad, and also grateful for the survivor/s (don't want to spoil the ending here!). Survival in dire conditions is a result of mental resilience, physical shape, and pure luck. The Triton's story explores a polarizing question: How much does faith help survival, and at what point does it hinder survival?
No matter your religious standing, there is a balance between faith and pragmatism. Decisions result in consequences. At sea, your decisions may or may not result in your survival.
This story has several great takeaways for mariners, including considering your crew's experience, knowledge, and compatibility. Lost! was the perfect thought-provoking read for me as an agnostic (former Christian) sailor, with a passion for boating education.
December 7, 2022
This book was from my late grandmother's library. I was scared her books would be dated or not something I was interested in. This little book caught my eye right away. My copy was published in 1977 so this is not the cover. Read in ONE DAY!
This book was a wild ride. Literally!
Jim, Bob, & Linda set sail on a boat ride from Washington State to Costa Rica. Why anyone in their right mind would want to do this is beyond me. Jim, right off the bat, is a real gem. He is described as not being able to afford groceries for his family, yet he builds a $5,000 boat for himself. In today's money that is like $100,000. Selfish.
Jim talks his brother in law, Bob, into going on this trip with him. Bob's only request is that his boat be outfitted with the most up to date and long reaching radio equipment. Jim says of course. Only come to find out he LIED. Did I mention Jim is a Christian. Well I should, because A LOT of the book is about him and his Christianity matched with his hypocrisy. Typically this would turn me off immediately, but the rest of the book was too good I couldn't be deterred.
The boat is of course shipwrecked in the middle of the ocean and they are left to survivoe on little to nothing for over 60 days!
About half way through I start to wonder why Jim is so unlikeable and start to wonder WHO is actually telling this story.
SPOILER ALERT DONT READ FURTHER
IF YOU DONT WANT TO KNOW
Turns out it's Bob. He is the only survivor. We are only getting his version of events, which paints Jim as this horrible human. And this makes me wonder... was Jim really this horrible or does Bob want to paint himself as the hero of this story? Almost makes me feel bad for hating Jim so much because who knows what is real. One thing I know is that I don't trust his story 100%.
The real hero of this story (in my opinion) was Linda. She was happy and calm in the worst circumstances. She was a planner and an adventurer. To top it off she was STUNNING. The book contains pictures of the three of them and Linda was so gorgeous. RIP Linda you were one hell of a fighter.
This book was a wild ride. Literally!
Jim, Bob, & Linda set sail on a boat ride from Washington State to Costa Rica. Why anyone in their right mind would want to do this is beyond me. Jim, right off the bat, is a real gem. He is described as not being able to afford groceries for his family, yet he builds a $5,000 boat for himself. In today's money that is like $100,000. Selfish.
Jim talks his brother in law, Bob, into going on this trip with him. Bob's only request is that his boat be outfitted with the most up to date and long reaching radio equipment. Jim says of course. Only come to find out he LIED. Did I mention Jim is a Christian. Well I should, because A LOT of the book is about him and his Christianity matched with his hypocrisy. Typically this would turn me off immediately, but the rest of the book was too good I couldn't be deterred.
The boat is of course shipwrecked in the middle of the ocean and they are left to survivoe on little to nothing for over 60 days!
About half way through I start to wonder why Jim is so unlikeable and start to wonder WHO is actually telling this story.
SPOILER ALERT DONT READ FURTHER
IF YOU DONT WANT TO KNOW
Turns out it's Bob. He is the only survivor. We are only getting his version of events, which paints Jim as this horrible human. And this makes me wonder... was Jim really this horrible or does Bob want to paint himself as the hero of this story? Almost makes me feel bad for hating Jim so much because who knows what is real. One thing I know is that I don't trust his story 100%.
The real hero of this story (in my opinion) was Linda. She was happy and calm in the worst circumstances. She was a planner and an adventurer. To top it off she was STUNNING. The book contains pictures of the three of them and Linda was so gorgeous. RIP Linda you were one hell of a fighter.
April 28, 2021
Seventy Three and Counting
Lost ? They knew where they were. They each were face to face with the one person they wanted most to be separated from. Adventist together with a former Adventist brother-in-law now an Agnostic. Trapped on/in an overturned trimaran floating in mid Pacific. Thompson is able to draw the contrasts and similarities quite clearly. Bob the agnostic seems to understand more clearly how the two need each other after the death of his wife Linda. Jim knows God will save them in his time and within his plan that no one can know. Bob on the other hand understands that more likely God will help those who help themselves. Bob’s task? Get Jim to help them save themselves. Jim’s task? Get Bob to accept God, the church so that God will be willing to save them. They are rescued. Jim does not survive. Is it God’s statement that he will help those who help themselves? While death awaits those who wait on God to do all the work? Or were Bob’s efforts used to return Jim to his family so they might have closure when he achieves salvation? In addition to the philosophical and theological questions these two face in each his own way Thompson also presents the techniques the three castaways used to keep their minds active and their bodies alive in the Pacific for over 73 days.
Lost ? They knew where they were. They each were face to face with the one person they wanted most to be separated from. Adventist together with a former Adventist brother-in-law now an Agnostic. Trapped on/in an overturned trimaran floating in mid Pacific. Thompson is able to draw the contrasts and similarities quite clearly. Bob the agnostic seems to understand more clearly how the two need each other after the death of his wife Linda. Jim knows God will save them in his time and within his plan that no one can know. Bob on the other hand understands that more likely God will help those who help themselves. Bob’s task? Get Jim to help them save themselves. Jim’s task? Get Bob to accept God, the church so that God will be willing to save them. They are rescued. Jim does not survive. Is it God’s statement that he will help those who help themselves? While death awaits those who wait on God to do all the work? Or were Bob’s efforts used to return Jim to his family so they might have closure when he achieves salvation? In addition to the philosophical and theological questions these two face in each his own way Thompson also presents the techniques the three castaways used to keep their minds active and their bodies alive in the Pacific for over 73 days.
February 26, 2021
Lost at Sea
Two men and a lady all set forth on a boat,that Jim had built himself. The men were brothers-in-law and Linda was married to Bob.
Jim was going to Puerto Rica to be a missionary on the Island and Bob and Linda loved adventures.
They were both teachers and had to be back in August,in order to start the school yr. Jim assured them,they would be.
But fate has a way of stepping in when we least expect it and so she did. They were 10/days out,when a severe storm came up and swamped the boat.They were rendered almost helpless.
Jim had sold everything he owned,including his: car,home and all other items the family possessed in order to make the boat and equip it but it lacked much in the way of newer equipment that they desperately needed.
Wilma,his wife, who was expecting and his two young sons moved in with.her parents.
This is a true story and one you surely will.enjoy,if you,like harrowing first account adventures.This will surely fill the bill.
was certainly glad that I got the opportunity to read and review it.
Two men and a lady all set forth on a boat,that Jim had built himself. The men were brothers-in-law and Linda was married to Bob.
Jim was going to Puerto Rica to be a missionary on the Island and Bob and Linda loved adventures.
They were both teachers and had to be back in August,in order to start the school yr. Jim assured them,they would be.
But fate has a way of stepping in when we least expect it and so she did. They were 10/days out,when a severe storm came up and swamped the boat.They were rendered almost helpless.
Jim had sold everything he owned,including his: car,home and all other items the family possessed in order to make the boat and equip it but it lacked much in the way of newer equipment that they desperately needed.
Wilma,his wife, who was expecting and his two young sons moved in with.her parents.
This is a true story and one you surely will.enjoy,if you,like harrowing first account adventures.This will surely fill the bill.
was certainly glad that I got the opportunity to read and review it.
November 27, 2023
It is somewhat difficult to rate biographies seeing that we are talking about a person's life experience, life event. As far as the literary aspect is concerned, this biography is well written. It kept me engaged throughout out the book at times, written in a way that would allow the reader to see what it would be like to join in this terrible event. The story at time allows readers to experience frustration at the beliefs and reactions of Bill, sadness at the difficulty of their situations, anger at the false beliefs about God and possibly other emotions. This recorded, or rather retold, event is definitely worth 5 stars - to survive on an overturned boat for months is both miraculous and harrowing. I feel like this book is be 4.5 stars. It is difficult to say that it was an enjoyable read when you are talking about a tragic experience; however, this story truly is incredible.
September 2, 2019
This book was very well written. It drew my attention from the start and kept me so captivated that I had a hard time putting it down. I felt like I was right in their situation and I needed to keep reading to get them through it. This is not normally how I feel when reading.
The author effectively developed the dialog between the three people on the boat so that it enabled me to become involved in the issues that separated them and the ones that brought them closer together.
After completing the reading, I still find myself pondering these issues from time to time.
Also, even though these were horrible circumstances and many things that these people went through were heart wrenching, I very much appreciated the book.
The author effectively developed the dialog between the three people on the boat so that it enabled me to become involved in the issues that separated them and the ones that brought them closer together.
After completing the reading, I still find myself pondering these issues from time to time.
Also, even though these were horrible circumstances and many things that these people went through were heart wrenching, I very much appreciated the book.
August 24, 2021
Jim was a very stressful man, that I guessed I could not understand much and so e of his motives but I think it had to do a lot with the awful situation the 3 of them were in. What i can't comprehend is Jim decision to LIE about the certification. The other 2 people involved, the married couple, I really felt for them. They kept me cheering for the despite knowing the end of their true story was not a one for much hope but I still feel they deserved way better. RIP to all the three lives lost in this tragedy. Sometimes, to be the only survivor of such strenuous ordeal can turn out to be more confusing and mind opening? for this man.
Read
July 30, 2019MESMERISING!
Absolutely un-put-downable!
What a harrowing experience these three went through! And the authors depiction of the 72 days they were lost and stranded was not in the least boring.
He could have done a better job in the "sad" areas (mentioned this way so as not to reveal any spoilers) but overall a fascinating book. It's sad and heart wrenching that so many boats and planes went by without seeing them. They could have been rescued so much sooner and so much tragedy could have been avoided if they had.
Absolutely un-put-downable!
What a harrowing experience these three went through! And the authors depiction of the 72 days they were lost and stranded was not in the least boring.
He could have done a better job in the "sad" areas (mentioned this way so as not to reveal any spoilers) but overall a fascinating book. It's sad and heart wrenching that so many boats and planes went by without seeing them. They could have been rescued so much sooner and so much tragedy could have been avoided if they had.
December 24, 2019
The perfect book for a delayed Spirit Airlines flight when all you want is to basically forget you’re stuck in that hot, smelly cabin. An engrossing read, but I wish he had fleshed out the story a bit more and included more details of Bob’s rescue. He was rescued and then it was over. I found all of the conversations about God—both of them testing each other’s level of faith—to be tedious after a while but that’s just me. I wanted another perspective—what was happening at home, or how the rescue effort was going, etc. but a perfect plane read nonetheless.
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