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In Deep Water: A True Story of Sharks, Survival, and Courage
The terrifying true story of a fight for survival for 28 hours in shark-infested waters.
October, 8, 2022.
Three friends are fishing for red snapper when their boat, tied to an oil rig, begins taking on water and sinks 15 miles out in the Gulf of Mexico. Suddenly, the three men find themselves in a struggle for their lives. Their vessel succumbs to the building seas so quickly that the fisherman are unable send out a radio Mayday call, and their cell phones have no reception. They only have time to don their life jackets and hold onto a cooler as they are swept further out to sea.
They vow to stay together no matter what and must make several life or death decisions. Suffering from hypothermia and severe stings from giant jelly fish, the men desperately try to stay afloat as they realize there are circling sharks below.
In Deep Water is an hour by hour account of a desperate and determined struggle for survival, as well as the Coast Guard’s all-out effort to find the missing men. This fast-paced story has a number of surprising turns in both the survival ordeal and the rescue efforts. Based on interviews with the three survivors and the crew of the Jayhawk helicopter who rescue them, In Deep Water is a white-knuckle tale of bravery and brotherhood and a battle against the ocean's deadliest predators.
October, 8, 2022.
Three friends are fishing for red snapper when their boat, tied to an oil rig, begins taking on water and sinks 15 miles out in the Gulf of Mexico. Suddenly, the three men find themselves in a struggle for their lives. Their vessel succumbs to the building seas so quickly that the fisherman are unable send out a radio Mayday call, and their cell phones have no reception. They only have time to don their life jackets and hold onto a cooler as they are swept further out to sea.
They vow to stay together no matter what and must make several life or death decisions. Suffering from hypothermia and severe stings from giant jelly fish, the men desperately try to stay afloat as they realize there are circling sharks below.
In Deep Water is an hour by hour account of a desperate and determined struggle for survival, as well as the Coast Guard’s all-out effort to find the missing men. This fast-paced story has a number of surprising turns in both the survival ordeal and the rescue efforts. Based on interviews with the three survivors and the crew of the Jayhawk helicopter who rescue them, In Deep Water is a white-knuckle tale of bravery and brotherhood and a battle against the ocean's deadliest predators.
304 pages, Hardcover
Published June 23, 2026
About the author
Michael J. Tougias
67 books197 followersTrue Survival, rescue and history is the topic of most of my books. that runs through most of my books. My latest book is with St. Martins Press and is titled In Deep Water: A True Story of Sharks, Survival and Courage. Other nonfiction sea survival and rescue books include Overboard! A Storm Too Soon, Rescue of the Bounty, Fatal Forecast and Ten Hours Until Dawn.
Disney made a major motion picture of my book The Finest Hours: The Trues Story of the Coast Guard's Greatest Rescue (Disney kept the same title). The movie stars Chris Pine an Casey Affleck and is a fantastic film.
My co-written history books include So Clost To Home (about surviving a Uboat attack in the Gulf of Mexico), Above & Beyond (the untold story of the Cuban Missile Crisis) King Philip's War (Native Americans vs Colonists) Abandon Ship (wwii) and several more
Another adventure for me is publishing a funny family memoir with my daughter, called The Cringe Chronicles (Mortifying Misadventures with my Dad).
My friends were been asking if I'll write a sequel to There's a Porcupine in my Outhouse (2003 Outdoor Book of the Year) and I suprised them with another book of misadventures titled The Power of Positive Fishing: A Story of Friendship and the Quest for Happiness. Also in the same category is The Waters Between Us: A Boy, A Father and Outdoor Misadventures.
Disney made a major motion picture of my book The Finest Hours: The Trues Story of the Coast Guard's Greatest Rescue (Disney kept the same title). The movie stars Chris Pine an Casey Affleck and is a fantastic film.
My co-written history books include So Clost To Home (about surviving a Uboat attack in the Gulf of Mexico), Above & Beyond (the untold story of the Cuban Missile Crisis) King Philip's War (Native Americans vs Colonists) Abandon Ship (wwii) and several more
Another adventure for me is publishing a funny family memoir with my daughter, called The Cringe Chronicles (Mortifying Misadventures with my Dad).
My friends were been asking if I'll write a sequel to There's a Porcupine in my Outhouse (2003 Outdoor Book of the Year) and I suprised them with another book of misadventures titled The Power of Positive Fishing: A Story of Friendship and the Quest for Happiness. Also in the same category is The Waters Between Us: A Boy, A Father and Outdoor Misadventures.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 270 reviews
June 26, 2026
I struggled to connect with the author's writing style. It's a compelling quick read, but felt really choppy and almost clinical in the storytelling. I think the fault lies that there just isn't enough material here to sustain a full length book. This probably would have been a five-star magazine article or short story in a book filled with survival stories, but as a standalone book the author had to incorporate a lot of extra information that didn't really add much value.
The basic story is that three men go out on a fishing trip on a boat that one of them recently purchased. The boat capsizes, and the three men are in the water, no one knows exactly where or even that they are missing for quite a while. We know from the beginning that they survive, so the drama isn't as compelling as it could have been.
That's not to say that there aren't some very intriguing and frightening things that happen to these men. The fact that they were rescued was nothing short of a miracle. It was fascinating to learn about the Coast Guard procedures for finding people and how impossible it is to spot people in the water. The parts focusing on the men and their survival and rescue were great, but all of the rest was not so much. The filler information got old pretty quickly. I really wasn't that interested in all of the different types of life jackets and types of boats and how they operate.
I listened to part of this as an audiobook, and while it was a decent production, I found myself wanting to skip ahead and get to the meat of the story instead of the filler, which was easier to do with a print copy than as an audiobook.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own
The basic story is that three men go out on a fishing trip on a boat that one of them recently purchased. The boat capsizes, and the three men are in the water, no one knows exactly where or even that they are missing for quite a while. We know from the beginning that they survive, so the drama isn't as compelling as it could have been.
That's not to say that there aren't some very intriguing and frightening things that happen to these men. The fact that they were rescued was nothing short of a miracle. It was fascinating to learn about the Coast Guard procedures for finding people and how impossible it is to spot people in the water. The parts focusing on the men and their survival and rescue were great, but all of the rest was not so much. The filler information got old pretty quickly. I really wasn't that interested in all of the different types of life jackets and types of boats and how they operate.
I listened to part of this as an audiobook, and while it was a decent production, I found myself wanting to skip ahead and get to the meat of the story instead of the filler, which was easier to do with a print copy than as an audiobook.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own
June 25, 2026
Me on This Book in Eight Ironic English Words: Scariest animals on earth made dull as paper.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
"For those friends and family members at home, the waiting is just as difficult and more lonely. Paul’s fiancée , Sam, cries on and off, thinking that Paul might be adrift in the ocean at night. If the boat went down did it happen right after Paul texted me the fishing picture? If so that means he has been in the water for more than twelve hours. Is he alone, or did Sonny and Lu make it too? Or did all three perish at once?" p107
In Short: I love stories about sharks, but I wasn't a fan of this book's layout or the author's style of storytelling. It felt very dry to me despite interesting material.
Preread: I've been a shark fan since I saw Jaws way way too young. I bet a million of you have the same story!
Thank you NetGalley and publisher for the arc!📚
"Content Warnings:"
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Shipwrecks, carnivorous sea life, bites and stings, lost at sea, stranded, thirst and hunger, exposure to the elements,
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
"For those friends and family members at home, the waiting is just as difficult and more lonely. Paul’s fiancée , Sam, cries on and off, thinking that Paul might be adrift in the ocean at night. If the boat went down did it happen right after Paul texted me the fishing picture? If so that means he has been in the water for more than twelve hours. Is he alone, or did Sonny and Lu make it too? Or did all three perish at once?" p107
In Short: I love stories about sharks, but I wasn't a fan of this book's layout or the author's style of storytelling. It felt very dry to me despite interesting material.
Preread: I've been a shark fan since I saw Jaws way way too young. I bet a million of you have the same story!
Thank you NetGalley and publisher for the arc!📚
"Content Warnings:"
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Shipwrecks, carnivorous sea life, bites and stings, lost at sea, stranded, thirst and hunger, exposure to the elements,
April 1, 2026
This book got sidetracked on a few too many mini-biographies and side notes about other rescues for my taste, but the main story was excellent. The survival story of Paul, Lu, and Sonny was incredible. I know I wouldn’t have been nearly so brave if facing sharks and endless waves. I loved that the rescue efforts were highlighted from the survivors’, the rescuers’, and the relatives’ points of view for the fullest possible picture. Excellent work, Mr. Tougias! Definitely another keeper of a book.
Side note: This book was more challenging to read than previous Tougias books because of the lack of introductory-phrase commas. This was likely due to the new advice from the Chicago Manual of Style. This created quite a bit of rereading to decipher what was meant at times.
Content: tobacco, expletives, profanity
Side note: This book was more challenging to read than previous Tougias books because of the lack of introductory-phrase commas. This was likely due to the new advice from the Chicago Manual of Style. This created quite a bit of rereading to decipher what was meant at times.
Content: tobacco, expletives, profanity
September 24, 2026
In Deep Water by Michael J. Tougias is nonfiction that often has the pace and intensity of a good thriller. A true story involving a desperate situation at sea and the rescue effort that follows already has plenty of built in drama, but Tougias does an excellent job of keeping the story moving without making it feel sensationalized.
At times, I almost had to remind myself that I was reading about events that actually happened. The dangers faced on the water, the difficult decisions, and the uncertainty surrounding the outcome give the book the kind of suspense more commonly associated with fiction.
One of the book's greatest strengths is the depth of Tougias's research. His extensive interviews with those involved allow him to include the smaller details, personal reactions, and individual perspectives that really bring the events to life. Rather than simply recounting what happened, he puts the reader into the experience with the people who lived through it.
I also appreciated the human side of the story. Survival and rescue accounts are ultimately about people responding to extraordinary circumstances, and Tougias captures both the fear and determination involved. The result is a story that is informative while remaining remarkably easy to become absorbed in.
In Deep Water is an excellent choice for readers who enjoy true survival stories, maritime history, or nonfiction that reads with the momentum of a novel. It is thoroughly researched, intensely paced, and a compelling account of a remarkable rescue. A well deserved 4 out of 5 stars.
At times, I almost had to remind myself that I was reading about events that actually happened. The dangers faced on the water, the difficult decisions, and the uncertainty surrounding the outcome give the book the kind of suspense more commonly associated with fiction.
One of the book's greatest strengths is the depth of Tougias's research. His extensive interviews with those involved allow him to include the smaller details, personal reactions, and individual perspectives that really bring the events to life. Rather than simply recounting what happened, he puts the reader into the experience with the people who lived through it.
I also appreciated the human side of the story. Survival and rescue accounts are ultimately about people responding to extraordinary circumstances, and Tougias captures both the fear and determination involved. The result is a story that is informative while remaining remarkably easy to become absorbed in.
In Deep Water is an excellent choice for readers who enjoy true survival stories, maritime history, or nonfiction that reads with the momentum of a novel. It is thoroughly researched, intensely paced, and a compelling account of a remarkable rescue. A well deserved 4 out of 5 stars.
September 5, 2026
Being out in the deep water, especially late at night, with all the unknowns in the water honestly creeps me out - no cruises at the moment for me lol. The story of survival of these gentlemen is fantastic and reads quick, however I would have liked all the focus to be on them. Still a great story of survival.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for access to an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for access to an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
June 27, 2026
If I'm completely honest boats and deep open water have always made me uncomfortable. I love going to the beach, but you won't catch me going out deep into the waves...ever.
This story is about three friends who go out fishing and find themselves stranded in the water after their boat starts taking on water and sinks. They aren't able to send out a mayday call and they have limited life jackets and a cooler with a few bottles of water.
I knew that getting stranded in the ocean would suck, but I didn't really realize all the things that make survival so difficult. To be honest, my mind immediately goes to sharks but that is not the only concern. Hypothermia, jellyfish and other sea creatures, dehydration, exhaustion AND sharks, just to name a few.
This is a story that had my anxiety on edge the whole time. I truly applaud the men's determination and will power to survive. This isn't a horror story but it's absolutely horrifying!
I received a copy in exchange for my honest review.
This story is about three friends who go out fishing and find themselves stranded in the water after their boat starts taking on water and sinks. They aren't able to send out a mayday call and they have limited life jackets and a cooler with a few bottles of water.
I knew that getting stranded in the ocean would suck, but I didn't really realize all the things that make survival so difficult. To be honest, my mind immediately goes to sharks but that is not the only concern. Hypothermia, jellyfish and other sea creatures, dehydration, exhaustion AND sharks, just to name a few.
This is a story that had my anxiety on edge the whole time. I truly applaud the men's determination and will power to survive. This isn't a horror story but it's absolutely horrifying!
I received a copy in exchange for my honest review.
May 27, 2026
In Deep Water was more suspenseful than many thrillers I’ve read. I could not put this book down. Knowing that it was a true story somehow made every chapter even more intense because I kept thinking, these were real people experiencing this.
The story follows three friends whose fishing trip turns into an absolute nightmare after their boat sinks 15 miles out in the Gulf of Mexico, leaving them stranded in open water with nothing but life jackets and a cooler to hold onto. The hour-by-hour account of what they endured had me completely hooked. Between hypothermia, giant jellyfish stings, exhaustion, and sharks circling below them, the tension never let up.
This was a hybrid read for me, the majority of it on audiobook. I normally struggle to stay engaged with books narrated by male voices, but the narrator did an amazing job and completely pulled me in. I was invested from beginning to end and kept telling myself I’d stop after “one more chapter”… and then I’d keep going. I finished this in one day.
These three guys have to be the luckiest unlucky people ever. The amount of things that went wrong was unbelievable, but so was their determination and the brotherhood between them. This was one of those stories that leaves you thinking about it long after you finish.
If you like survival stories, true stories, or books that feel like a high-stakes thriller, I highly recommend this one.
Thanks to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and St. Martin's Press for advanced copies.
The story follows three friends whose fishing trip turns into an absolute nightmare after their boat sinks 15 miles out in the Gulf of Mexico, leaving them stranded in open water with nothing but life jackets and a cooler to hold onto. The hour-by-hour account of what they endured had me completely hooked. Between hypothermia, giant jellyfish stings, exhaustion, and sharks circling below them, the tension never let up.
This was a hybrid read for me, the majority of it on audiobook. I normally struggle to stay engaged with books narrated by male voices, but the narrator did an amazing job and completely pulled me in. I was invested from beginning to end and kept telling myself I’d stop after “one more chapter”… and then I’d keep going. I finished this in one day.
These three guys have to be the luckiest unlucky people ever. The amount of things that went wrong was unbelievable, but so was their determination and the brotherhood between them. This was one of those stories that leaves you thinking about it long after you finish.
If you like survival stories, true stories, or books that feel like a high-stakes thriller, I highly recommend this one.
Thanks to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and St. Martin's Press for advanced copies.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Firstly thanks to netgalley for this arc. I thought I would be more into a true story involving open water with suspense involving sharks, but this one I think read to me more like non-ficton and I was bored to the point I unfortunately DNF it a third of the way in. I really wanted to be interested but I couldn't get in to it.
July 6, 2026
4.25
This had me on the edge of my seat! I flew through it and was completely invested in the fate of these men stranded at sea. I especially enjoyed learning what goes into coordinating a large-scale rescue operation. The writing is straightforward and easy to follow, with interesting side stories woven throughout. I even learned that a group of jellyfish is called a "smack" and that retired oil rigs are sometimes intentionally sunk to create artificial reefs for marine life.
Overall, this was an exciting and engaging read.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
This had me on the edge of my seat! I flew through it and was completely invested in the fate of these men stranded at sea. I especially enjoyed learning what goes into coordinating a large-scale rescue operation. The writing is straightforward and easy to follow, with interesting side stories woven throughout. I even learned that a group of jellyfish is called a "smack" and that retired oil rigs are sometimes intentionally sunk to create artificial reefs for marine life.
Overall, this was an exciting and engaging read.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
August 17, 2026
Don't read this at night or before going into water kids.
August 3, 2026
People didn’t believe I would read this book but I would do anything for a goodreads bookmark. This book felt like a high school research paper. And that’s why I didn’t like it. And don’t be fooled the sharks were a very very minor character.
September 9, 2026
3½ ⭐️
The basically-immediate sinking of the boat and long lead-up to the sharks was really tense and exciting to listen to.
I know this is nonfiction, but all said and done, not enough sharks. I also thought it was a really odd decision to end with a section featuring interview snippets from an excessive number of rescue team members gushing over how amazing the experience was for them.
~~Goodreads Bookmark: Summer Encore~~
The basically-immediate sinking of the boat and long lead-up to the sharks was really tense and exciting to listen to.
I know this is nonfiction, but all said and done, not enough sharks. I also thought it was a really odd decision to end with a section featuring interview snippets from an excessive number of rescue team members gushing over how amazing the experience was for them.
~~Goodreads Bookmark: Summer Encore~~
June 13, 2026
Unique story telling that really captures the camaraderie, companionship, and the bonds of friendship-a brotherhood.
Gulf of Mexico-whilst beautiful on a sunny day and miles of rippling waves, it can also turn deadly in the blink of an eye
Engaging and harrowing as well as panic inducing, being caught unawares and literally swept around and farther out to sea, would be absolutely terrifying!
Sharks, the apex predators of the ocean, having no agenda, no personal vendetta-despite certain movie influences-they are frightening, intimidating and menacing in this retelling of horrific events and that is the exact reason people people need to be warned, be prepared and abide the rules of the ocean, when swimming/boating in shark territory.
An outstanding read, especially at the beginning of summer, which is proving to be quite hectic! Thanks to St. Martin’s Press for this impressive and emotional read !
Gulf of Mexico-whilst beautiful on a sunny day and miles of rippling waves, it can also turn deadly in the blink of an eye
Engaging and harrowing as well as panic inducing, being caught unawares and literally swept around and farther out to sea, would be absolutely terrifying!
Sharks, the apex predators of the ocean, having no agenda, no personal vendetta-despite certain movie influences-they are frightening, intimidating and menacing in this retelling of horrific events and that is the exact reason people people need to be warned, be prepared and abide the rules of the ocean, when swimming/boating in shark territory.
An outstanding read, especially at the beginning of summer, which is proving to be quite hectic! Thanks to St. Martin’s Press for this impressive and emotional read !
June 23, 2026
I'm not usually a big nonfiction reader, but I decided to take two true stories with me on vacation. This is my first book by this author and I was impressed that it was so informative while still reading like fiction. The account follows three friends on a fishing trip as they head out in Paul's new boat, finally able to reach the deeper waters and better fishing by the oil rigs. But the anticipation and excitement turn nearly tragic as their boat takes on water and sinks too fast to call for help. They vow to stay together, wondering when, or even if, they'll ever be found, all while the sharks circle below. The book is an hour by hour account that follows the three friends, their coast guard rescuers, and the family and friends at home anxiously waiting for any word of them.
I highly recommend this book to lovers of adventure, nonfiction, sea stories, survival etc.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. The views and opinions expressed in this review are completely my own
I highly recommend this book to lovers of adventure, nonfiction, sea stories, survival etc.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. The views and opinions expressed in this review are completely my own
October 26, 2026
I enjoyed this but didn’t love it. I found the support the three men gave each other while in the water really interesting & the information about jellyfish and shark attacks was fascinating.
I did find there was a lot of background information on the men & the rescue team & at times I felt the story went off track. Just as I was getting into what was happening to the men in the water the story would switch to the background of the rescuers or the men themselves. I then found it hard to get back into the main story. I would have preferred more focus on the men and their experience in the water. An interesting read but not quite as gripping as I’d hoped.
I did find there was a lot of background information on the men & the rescue team & at times I felt the story went off track. Just as I was getting into what was happening to the men in the water the story would switch to the background of the rescuers or the men themselves. I then found it hard to get back into the main story. I would have preferred more focus on the men and their experience in the water. An interesting read but not quite as gripping as I’d hoped.
July 20, 2026
In Deep Water is the incredible story of three men who were on-board a fishing boat that sank off the coast of Louisiana, and were carried out to sea with only life jackets and two floating coolers. Miraculously, all three survive despite dehydration, hypothermia, multiple jellyfish stings, and even a shark attack.
This book had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. Tougias did a great job with conveying all of the emotions surrounding this tale of survival. I also appreciated that he included information about the Coast Guard and other key people who were monumental in bringing these three men home alive.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a free digital copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.
This book had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. Tougias did a great job with conveying all of the emotions surrounding this tale of survival. I also appreciated that he included information about the Coast Guard and other key people who were monumental in bringing these three men home alive.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a free digital copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.
July 10, 2026
A true story about good friends just out for a nice day of fishing. The boat sinks, they are out of contact range, and as they struggle to get to a safe place, the sharks start circling! Michael Tougias describes the harrowing ordeal and the rescue attempt in a captivating and well written book. The actual photos in the book make it even more special!
August 16, 2026
I loved this from the beginning. It was written very well, gave insight to the rescuers time as well as the 3 men in the ocean. I will be looking forward to more Michael Tougias!
July 17, 2026
Such a gripping true story. I can’t imagine enduring the things they went through.
July 22, 2026
I was invited to read/review this by the publisher [St. Martin's Press] and I thank them, Michael J. Tougias, Adam Ewer - Narrator, NetGalley, and Macmillan Audio for both the eBook and audiobook ARC's in exchange for an honest review.
July 30, 2026
Great story of survival and rescue. I like these books but there are times where they can be slow with all the details about the planes, helicopters, and boats. But the actual story is great!
April 18, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC! ✨
I’ve been reading a lot of nonfiction about historical nautical disasters, so I was very interested in reading an account of a modern, small-scale (a small fishing boat vs the USS Indianapolis, for example) disaster and the story of the survivors.
I really appreciated how much care clearly went into getting to know every person involved in this rescue. The respect the author has for the men and women involved in marine search and rescue shone through on every page. Being unfamiliar with the Coast Guard and the area the men were lost in, I also appreciated the background info on the CG teams and the geographical area. The epilogue was so touching.
I would have liked to sit with Sonny, Lu, and Paul for a little longer after their rescue, but I also understand they may not have wanted to delve too deep into the post-trauma, and instead focus on their gratitude towards their rescuers.
One rather glaring issue: early on in the book, the author mentions “the Gulf of Mexico/America”. This was quite a turn off and should be edited out, as the Gulf remained the Gulf of Mexico throughout the rest of the book.
I’ve been reading a lot of nonfiction about historical nautical disasters, so I was very interested in reading an account of a modern, small-scale (a small fishing boat vs the USS Indianapolis, for example) disaster and the story of the survivors.
I really appreciated how much care clearly went into getting to know every person involved in this rescue. The respect the author has for the men and women involved in marine search and rescue shone through on every page. Being unfamiliar with the Coast Guard and the area the men were lost in, I also appreciated the background info on the CG teams and the geographical area. The epilogue was so touching.
I would have liked to sit with Sonny, Lu, and Paul for a little longer after their rescue, but I also understand they may not have wanted to delve too deep into the post-trauma, and instead focus on their gratitude towards their rescuers.
One rather glaring issue: early on in the book, the author mentions “the Gulf of Mexico/America”. This was quite a turn off and should be edited out, as the Gulf remained the Gulf of Mexico throughout the rest of the book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Holy cow! This was phenomenal. In Deep Water tells a harrowing story of being lost at sea for 28 hours and will have you feeling like you're in the water alongside our three survivors.
I picked up this book because of the sharks on the covers. I got so much more than sharks. The story telling is next level. It's non-fiction but it reads like a thriller. This book so gripping and well told that it keeps you adrenaline pumping and your emotions on edge the entire time. I cried a little bit at the end because there was so much feeling pouring through the words. The audiobook narrator also did a great job of keeping me invested in the story.
You will not regret picking this up.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this ALC.
I picked up this book because of the sharks on the covers. I got so much more than sharks. The story telling is next level. It's non-fiction but it reads like a thriller. This book so gripping and well told that it keeps you adrenaline pumping and your emotions on edge the entire time. I cried a little bit at the end because there was so much feeling pouring through the words. The audiobook narrator also did a great job of keeping me invested in the story.
You will not regret picking this up.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this ALC.
August 5, 2026
By no means is this book bad, but it isn’t all that crazy if you’ve read other survival stories. Still worth a read, just not much better than average. 3.3 stars
November 3, 2026
This was ... fine. I think it had been on one of the previous GoodReads challenge lists, bringing it to my attention, but I didn't get to it during the challenge timeframe. Not sure if my library hold didn't come in time (as of now, it seems easily available) or if I mentally pushed it to #nonfictionNovember ...
From the prologue, I was put off a little by the writing style, an awkward present tense. Looking at the rest of the book, I guess the present tense made sense for Paul/Sonny/Lu's story, separating THAT DAY (present tense) from memories and background information (which switched to past tense). I don't know that this story had made headlines enough for me to be aware of it, going in, knowing that all three would survive or not - but as this seemed based on the victim's personal recollections, it was fairly obvious that they would end up being rescued and able to tell their tale.
Right off/again, in the prologue ... I was a bit put off by the "Gulf of Mexico/America" ... I'm not a Trump fan and think his posturing is ridiculous and would have preferred the author not bow to him. I don't feel it wasn't really necessary to recognize his renaming (it was only in the prologue, later in the book it did stick with Gulf of Mexico, (or just "The Gulf" avoiding granting it a Mexico/America name altogether) but that one acknowledgement had already left a negative impression).
I borrowed both the audio and Kindle copy and went primarily with the audio. It felt quite dry, the present tense feeling unnatural and odd. Dropping to past tense to give some history on Paul. I don't care for the obvious foreshadowing ... "one of the most promising days of Paul’s life will turn into something quite different."
We get background on the location, on the other two boaters, oil rigs ... honestly, the sinking of the boat in Chapter3 was so unmemorable, I actually had to stop listening to the audiobook, and go back to the print copy and reread, because I guess my mind wandered and I wasn't even sure what had happened.
The book just added a lot of extra info ... on the one hand, there was some interesting facts, but it also distracted from the action (ie going into the history of U-boats during WW2). As PartII starts up, we leave the men in the water and switch the story to the rescuers, their backgrounds/training, some of their previous rescues ... not uninteresting, but again, is that really a part of THIS story?
I'd recently watched a Disney movie, Young Woman and the Sea, so I think I had a pretty good picture of the jellyfish situation, and being in the water for an extended period of time.
A couple mentions of triathlons - a shark attack. Hubs has been doing triathlons, a couple which have been in the ocean. Not sure if he'd have more extreme feelings about this book. The swim is always his most difficult portion, even being at the start of the race, and in the water for a relatively short period of time.
No proFanity.
Overall, a bit dry and choppy, but I was fine for the time invested with it.
From the prologue, I was put off a little by the writing style, an awkward present tense. Looking at the rest of the book, I guess the present tense made sense for Paul/Sonny/Lu's story, separating THAT DAY (present tense) from memories and background information (which switched to past tense). I don't know that this story had made headlines enough for me to be aware of it, going in, knowing that all three would survive or not - but as this seemed based on the victim's personal recollections, it was fairly obvious that they would end up being rescued and able to tell their tale.
Right off/again, in the prologue ... I was a bit put off by the "Gulf of Mexico/America" ... I'm not a Trump fan and think his posturing is ridiculous and would have preferred the author not bow to him. I don't feel it wasn't really necessary to recognize his renaming (it was only in the prologue, later in the book it did stick with Gulf of Mexico, (or just "The Gulf" avoiding granting it a Mexico/America name altogether) but that one acknowledgement had already left a negative impression).
I borrowed both the audio and Kindle copy and went primarily with the audio. It felt quite dry, the present tense feeling unnatural and odd. Dropping to past tense to give some history on Paul. I don't care for the obvious foreshadowing ... "one of the most promising days of Paul’s life will turn into something quite different."
We get background on the location, on the other two boaters, oil rigs ... honestly, the sinking of the boat in Chapter3 was so unmemorable, I actually had to stop listening to the audiobook, and go back to the print copy and reread, because I guess my mind wandered and I wasn't even sure what had happened.
The book just added a lot of extra info ... on the one hand, there was some interesting facts, but it also distracted from the action (ie going into the history of U-boats during WW2). As PartII starts up, we leave the men in the water and switch the story to the rescuers, their backgrounds/training, some of their previous rescues ... not uninteresting, but again, is that really a part of THIS story?
I'd recently watched a Disney movie, Young Woman and the Sea, so I think I had a pretty good picture of the jellyfish situation, and being in the water for an extended period of time.
A couple mentions of triathlons - a shark attack. Hubs has been doing triathlons, a couple which have been in the ocean. Not sure if he'd have more extreme feelings about this book. The swim is always his most difficult portion, even being at the start of the race, and in the water for a relatively short period of time.
No proFanity.
Overall, a bit dry and choppy, but I was fine for the time invested with it.
October 27, 2026
”The sea – and what lurks in it – conspires against the men from the moment their ordeal begins.”
Like me, author Paul Tougias must love a good sea yarn because his bibliography is about a dozen books deep of sinkings and shipwrecked survivor stories. His latest tale captures the struggle for survival of three friends whose 24-foot craft sinks suddenly in the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, leaving the fishermen clinging to a pair of coolers in open water and fighting for their lives.
Tougias’s experienced hand delivers a tense narrative that captures both the bleak hopelessness of being utterly lost in an endless sea alongside the stubborn determination of the three men to survive the experience. Heads bobbing above the grey surf, stung and stalked by marine life, the ocean sucking warmth and energy from their bodies, Tougias vividly describes the dire straits the boaters are in before – in what makes this story truly special – effecting their rescue through an incredible bit of real-life, dramatic happenstance.
Like other books in the genre, Tougias juxtaposes the plight of the lost fishermen against the heroic efforts of the Coast Guard personnel called into action to attempt their rescue. And, to his credit, he also avoids too much extra stuffing of other shipwrecks into these pages -- which, in my opinion, is a bit of a pitfall for these types of books – with only the German U-boats feeling just a tad out of place.
Overall, though, this is a solid sea shanty, taunt and well-told. Recommended if survival stories are what catch your interest.
July 29, 2026
I really enjoyed this book! Being originally from Iowa, I have about zero interest of being in the middle of the ocean. So I guess it’s my interest in adventure/rescue books that drew me to this? That or the fact that I love fishing and am Gulf-curious? Anyway, i give it a solid 4.5+ stars. A couple of reviewers didn’t, but I liked the side detail given that I don’t know how the Coast Guard or how organized rescues work. I do wish the author had discussed the newly purchased used boat, what likely caused it to take on water causing it to sink, and any other issues around the liability of all that… seems like a liability +/- insurance nightmare.
July 6, 2026
Paul, Sonny, and Lu are excited to take Paul’s new boat out for a day of fishing. Their excitement turns to horror when the boat begins sinking. Determined to survive, the men are in the water for 28 hours fighting hunger, thirst, fatigue, hypothermia, jellyfish, and sharks.
As a shark lover, I was drawn to this book. I have always found encounter/survivor stories to be so interesting. While sharks weren’t as prominent in this story, the survival story and all these men endured kept me going through this book. They are truly so lucky to be alive. It was amazing to hear the perspective of both the survivors and the rescue crews involved in the rescue. I also appreciated the few pictures! I will say, my only complaint about the book would be the structure and writing style. The end of each chapter felt similar to how I wrote papers back in grade school, respectfully. I also found that there were certain details I felt I could skim over. Other than that, very captivating story.
As a shark lover, I was drawn to this book. I have always found encounter/survivor stories to be so interesting. While sharks weren’t as prominent in this story, the survival story and all these men endured kept me going through this book. They are truly so lucky to be alive. It was amazing to hear the perspective of both the survivors and the rescue crews involved in the rescue. I also appreciated the few pictures! I will say, my only complaint about the book would be the structure and writing style. The end of each chapter felt similar to how I wrote papers back in grade school, respectfully. I also found that there were certain details I felt I could skim over. Other than that, very captivating story.
October 7, 2026
A tense and edge-of-your-seat experience that highlights what some humans can truly endure.
There were quite a few instances of random facts and tangents that took me out of the actual story a bit. I do appreciate facts and references, but feel it could have been incorporated in a way that flowed a bit better.
There were quite a few instances of random facts and tangents that took me out of the actual story a bit. I do appreciate facts and references, but feel it could have been incorporated in a way that flowed a bit better.
July 2, 2026
Wow - I just flew through this book! This is the very exciting survival story of three fishermen whose boat sank in the Gulf of Mexico. I also enjoyed learning about Coast Guard rescue operations. (Do you know what a "rescue swimmer" is? Yikes! Those people are tough.) And I admit to having a horrified fascination with shark attacks on humans.
Tougias tells the story with clarity and empathy. It moved right along and left me with a tear in my eye. If you're a nonfiction reader, read this.
Thank-you for the ARC, Netgalley!
Tougias tells the story with clarity and empathy. It moved right along and left me with a tear in my eye. If you're a nonfiction reader, read this.
Thank-you for the ARC, Netgalley!
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