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The Pacific Alone: The Untold Story of Kayaking's Boldest Voyage
Winner of the 2019 National Outdoor Book Award for Outdoor Literature!
In the summer of 1987 Ed Gillet achieved what no person has accomplished before or since, a solo crossing from California to Hawaii by kayak. Gillet, at the age of 36 an accomplished sailor and paddler, navigated by sextant and always knew his position within a few miles. Still, Gillet underestimated the abuse his body would take from the relentless, pounding, swells of the Pacific, and early into his voyage he was covered with salt water sores and found that he could find no comfortable position for sitting or sleeping. Along the way he endured a broken rudder, among other calamities, but at last reached Maui on his 63 rd day at sea, four days after his food had run out. Dave Shively brings Gillet’s remarkable story to life in this gripping narrative, based on exclusive access to Gillet’s logs as well as interviews with the legendary paddler himself.
In the summer of 1987 Ed Gillet achieved what no person has accomplished before or since, a solo crossing from California to Hawaii by kayak. Gillet, at the age of 36 an accomplished sailor and paddler, navigated by sextant and always knew his position within a few miles. Still, Gillet underestimated the abuse his body would take from the relentless, pounding, swells of the Pacific, and early into his voyage he was covered with salt water sores and found that he could find no comfortable position for sitting or sleeping. Along the way he endured a broken rudder, among other calamities, but at last reached Maui on his 63 rd day at sea, four days after his food had run out. Dave Shively brings Gillet’s remarkable story to life in this gripping narrative, based on exclusive access to Gillet’s logs as well as interviews with the legendary paddler himself.
184 pages, Hardcover
Published October 1, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
December 9, 2018
Being a San Diego homeboy, I met Ed Gillet at Southwest Kayaks in the late 90's. He and his wife ran the shop and hosted a chance to meet Ed Darack, who was on a book tour. Darack's book Wind, Water and Sun described his solo trip down the east side of Baja California on a kayak. Ed Gillet seemed playful and full of energy. His wife probably had these qualities also, but she also seemed to be the business person of the two.
The idea of paddling a pretty much off the shelf two man kayak from Monterey Bay to Hawaii seems absurd or a death wish. However, if you look at Ed's paddling accomplishments prior to the trip, it was an extension of previous accomplishments. The east side of the Gulf of California down the Baja peninsula, the inland passage (1200 miles), and the western coast of latin america had all been paddled before he put to sea from Monterey Bay.
The book is a revelation in planning and execution of an extreme adventure. Shively describes the mixture of adventure, commitment and fatigue that drew Gilette to test himself in an ultimate way. He had no support boats, gps (not yet invented), sat radio (not yet invented) or alternate ways to pull the plug. This was to be done on muscle and will power.
His feat was accomplished in 1987. It has not been duplicated, especially under the pure terms of equipment, lack of communication and support. What a great story and one not to be missed by any adventurer, student of the human spirit or armchair explorer. Hurray for this story!
The idea of paddling a pretty much off the shelf two man kayak from Monterey Bay to Hawaii seems absurd or a death wish. However, if you look at Ed's paddling accomplishments prior to the trip, it was an extension of previous accomplishments. The east side of the Gulf of California down the Baja peninsula, the inland passage (1200 miles), and the western coast of latin america had all been paddled before he put to sea from Monterey Bay.
The book is a revelation in planning and execution of an extreme adventure. Shively describes the mixture of adventure, commitment and fatigue that drew Gilette to test himself in an ultimate way. He had no support boats, gps (not yet invented), sat radio (not yet invented) or alternate ways to pull the plug. This was to be done on muscle and will power.
His feat was accomplished in 1987. It has not been duplicated, especially under the pure terms of equipment, lack of communication and support. What a great story and one not to be missed by any adventurer, student of the human spirit or armchair explorer. Hurray for this story!
September 7, 2019
The tale of the crossing is gripping, however, it only makes up a couple of chapters. Meanwhile, the majority of the book is pre and post-adventure.
March 25, 2020
Definitely an appropriate read for a time of social distancing. Well written and interesting story.
May 3, 2024
Dave Shively captures Gillette’s journey in a way that makes it accessible for those who do not push themselves on solo journeys requiring physical and mental grit, while simultaneously acknowledging those already exposed to kayaking & other endurance adventures. Inspiring, exciting, educational, and fun, Shively provides history, other attempts, and Gillette’s processing of the cross-pacific journey in his later years of life.
August 18, 2021
Exciting book and amazing feat! Makes me want to go on a long kayak expedition, but not on the unpredictable and unforgiving Pacific Ocean!
August 14, 2019
Gillet’s journey from Monterrey to Maui was so much bolder back before GPS and satellite rescue services. Being the first to do this also compounds risks. Balancing these dangers is the skill and experience Gillet garners from his previous long Pacific voyages south of the US. His mindset was obviously just strong enough to endure but is otherwise inscrutable.
The author does a great job telling this man vs nature story along with establishing context by describing subsequent attempts on Gillet’s voyage. We learn about how equipment and social media have changed the challenge and how deeply Ed’s experience affects his life more than 30 years later. We end the book respecting this man and his bold voyage.
The author does a great job telling this man vs nature story along with establishing context by describing subsequent attempts on Gillet’s voyage. We learn about how equipment and social media have changed the challenge and how deeply Ed’s experience affects his life more than 30 years later. We end the book respecting this man and his bold voyage.
December 31, 2019
Ed Gilette is a friend of mine, and I was so excited to read this account of his kayak trip from California to Hawaii. First, I have to say that Ed is one of the most fascinating people I know. I love the way that he lives life to the fullest and much like the book charts his own course as opposed to letting the waves carry him where they may. This story is one of pushing yourself to physical and emotional limits and moving forward out of sheer will. If you love adventure, mind over matter, or stories of man vs. nature, this is for you. (FYI - Ed and his wife have sold 90% of their possessions and are sailing around the world. I love this but know your students miss you!)
February 10, 2025
It is a slightly frustrating book, in that it tells a story of a very long journey in a few short vignettes. The author seems to try to convey the experiential by giving thick descriptions of specific moments, but because the author is not the subject, these descriptions lack the revelation one would get from memoir or autobiography. As a result, it reads somewhat more like military history, giving details of glorious battles as seen in hindsight, but as though they unfolded in the way that they are remembered.
This is ultimately a story about mystic experiences, and the terrifying journey of the soul. All of us are adrift on an ocean, and we numb ourselves to the adventure of daily life. Ed Gillet is someone who has not been able to look away from the intensity of existence, and whose inner world I can only wonder about. Shively dances with other characters who have clearly gone through traumatic events, and had traumatic experiences, but may or may not be affected in damaging ways, afterwards. Some die, while Gillet manages to live.
If you can find the material spirituality in the pages of this book, it is a good-enough telling of a remarkable and highly personal adventure. I find it something elusive, as the author is gesturing at scraps that he has been given by others, who are gesturing at something that they cannot communicate. This is true in terms of both the fundamental reality of the experience and the non-ordinary states of consciousness. Shively seems to wonder, as I do, about those who can tune out their internal worlds and just deal with what is right in front of them, and then be thrown back into the inner turmoil.
This is not a book about adventurers who simply lack ambivalence. It is a story of dream thinking one's way across half of the Pacific, and a way of living which embraces the plural and ambiguous nature of human experience, including the simultaneity of our selves, and the commingling of boredom, terror, and enjoyment.
This might well be a decent book from which to imagine what limits one might seek in oneself, or perhaps one to look back on unlived lives with curiosity, confusion, and regret. One longs for Shiveley to tell his own story, and to encounter the limits of body, consciousness, and soul, and to report back from the unspeakable mountaintop experience. This book cannot speak of that place using this story.
We are all ultimately tested by the same difficult realities and sad necessities of existence, but we notice to varying degrees, and take the bait to varying degrees. Gillet moves along through like the mahi mahi who will ultimately be consumed, but is on the journey of his choosing, all the same.
This is ultimately a story about mystic experiences, and the terrifying journey of the soul. All of us are adrift on an ocean, and we numb ourselves to the adventure of daily life. Ed Gillet is someone who has not been able to look away from the intensity of existence, and whose inner world I can only wonder about. Shively dances with other characters who have clearly gone through traumatic events, and had traumatic experiences, but may or may not be affected in damaging ways, afterwards. Some die, while Gillet manages to live.
If you can find the material spirituality in the pages of this book, it is a good-enough telling of a remarkable and highly personal adventure. I find it something elusive, as the author is gesturing at scraps that he has been given by others, who are gesturing at something that they cannot communicate. This is true in terms of both the fundamental reality of the experience and the non-ordinary states of consciousness. Shively seems to wonder, as I do, about those who can tune out their internal worlds and just deal with what is right in front of them, and then be thrown back into the inner turmoil.
This is not a book about adventurers who simply lack ambivalence. It is a story of dream thinking one's way across half of the Pacific, and a way of living which embraces the plural and ambiguous nature of human experience, including the simultaneity of our selves, and the commingling of boredom, terror, and enjoyment.
This might well be a decent book from which to imagine what limits one might seek in oneself, or perhaps one to look back on unlived lives with curiosity, confusion, and regret. One longs for Shiveley to tell his own story, and to encounter the limits of body, consciousness, and soul, and to report back from the unspeakable mountaintop experience. This book cannot speak of that place using this story.
We are all ultimately tested by the same difficult realities and sad necessities of existence, but we notice to varying degrees, and take the bait to varying degrees. Gillet moves along through like the mahi mahi who will ultimately be consumed, but is on the journey of his choosing, all the same.
November 24, 2019
I've recently become interested in Kayaking and I came across this book about Ed Gillet's incredible 1987 journey from Montery to Hawaii. The story begins with introducing Ed's life prior to the trip, his family and friends, the kayaking scene at that time. The next part is the trip itself, which is somewhat like a real life version of Life of Pi, without the Tiger and on a much smaller boat. Once the journey is over (spoiler: he makes it) there is quite a lot more book left, as Shively introduces us to more men that have tried the same trip and failed with varying degrees of disaster.
Whilst there is a lot of detail in this book about the practicalities of the book, I wanted more about Ed's day to day experience; how he washes his clothes, what's involved in exiting the boat for repairs and reentering, how does he poop. Maybe it's for the best that I did not write this book.
What I enjoyed about the book is that Shively really tries to understand Ed's motivation for such a trip that puts his life in serious danger. It is that drive to push their own limits that makes adventurers a breed apart and Shively explores Ed's psyche through many interviews, giving an authentic and vivid picture.
Whilst there is a lot of detail in this book about the practicalities of the book, I wanted more about Ed's day to day experience; how he washes his clothes, what's involved in exiting the boat for repairs and reentering, how does he poop. Maybe it's for the best that I did not write this book.
What I enjoyed about the book is that Shively really tries to understand Ed's motivation for such a trip that puts his life in serious danger. It is that drive to push their own limits that makes adventurers a breed apart and Shively explores Ed's psyche through many interviews, giving an authentic and vivid picture.
May 23, 2020
I did my student teaching alongside Ed in San Diego in 2016. I loved watching him teach: so much energy, focus, and intelligence. I particularly remember watching him teach a class full of AP students the nuances of Hamlet. It was only a couple months after I met Ed that I learned of his kayaking feat (from another teacher - I don’t think Ed would have ever volunteered the information). Ed was incredibly humble and patient when I started asking him about it during our lunch breaks, and simply described the trek, with a smile, as “miserable” (Shively also notes this).
Though I wish Shively had gone into more detail about Ed’s time alone on the kayak - perhaps this is more of a personal bias after reading Life of Pi and Wild - I appreciated him giving context with discussing the larger ocean kayaking community. I also liked how Shively took time to write about Ed’s wife, as waiting for him to safely arrive in Hawaii must have required incredible mental strength and trust as well.
I certainly recognized the Ed I knew from student teaching from this book, and it was wonderful to read about his journey.
Though I wish Shively had gone into more detail about Ed’s time alone on the kayak - perhaps this is more of a personal bias after reading Life of Pi and Wild - I appreciated him giving context with discussing the larger ocean kayaking community. I also liked how Shively took time to write about Ed’s wife, as waiting for him to safely arrive in Hawaii must have required incredible mental strength and trust as well.
I certainly recognized the Ed I knew from student teaching from this book, and it was wonderful to read about his journey.
January 23, 2021
A fantastic read! I should mention I am very interested in ocean kayaking so the subject matter was already quite exciting to me, but not only does this book describe the amazing journey of Ed Gillet travelling from the west coat of America to Hawaii, but it also delves into the philosophy and psychology of what drives a man to make such a dangerous crossing.
It is peppered with other anecdotes of similar voyages and voyagers and Dave Shivelys amazing ability to transcend what is a kayaking voyage delves into the drive and philosophy behind such achetypical endurance adventures, what is akin to a spiritual journey in my eyes.
I loved this book and Ed's adventure, devouring the book in only two days. The parts I enjoyed most were the breaking down of the rationale of such adventures and the more philosophical digressions throughout the book.
I highly recommend, amazing stuff.
It is peppered with other anecdotes of similar voyages and voyagers and Dave Shivelys amazing ability to transcend what is a kayaking voyage delves into the drive and philosophy behind such achetypical endurance adventures, what is akin to a spiritual journey in my eyes.
I loved this book and Ed's adventure, devouring the book in only two days. The parts I enjoyed most were the breaking down of the rationale of such adventures and the more philosophical digressions throughout the book.
I highly recommend, amazing stuff.
January 30, 2021
The story was interesting. The best part was his actual time on the water. Would loved to have spent more time going into details of his actual adventure, more reading from his diary. The arch of the book itself didn’t flow very well between the pre-paddle, the paddle itself, and post-paddle telling of other kayakers’ attempts.
This doesn’t have to do with the story itself, but was anyone else annoyed with how many typos there are in this book? There’s one on the FIRST. PAGE. It’s even worse to me when this was written by an award-winning writer, but also that Ed himself is now an AP lit teacher. It just screams amateur to me, and it distracts from the story. I expect better.
This doesn’t have to do with the story itself, but was anyone else annoyed with how many typos there are in this book? There’s one on the FIRST. PAGE. It’s even worse to me when this was written by an award-winning writer, but also that Ed himself is now an AP lit teacher. It just screams amateur to me, and it distracts from the story. I expect better.
March 22, 2023
I fnished this awhile ago. Never got around to reviewing it. It's short, interesting, but the overly detailed and creative writing part of a nonfiction story got a bit tiresome. It really serves a filler for a short story where nothing really happened. He did it. He kayaked. He went the distance. I guess I was expecting more, who knows. It's probably why I read a lot of fiction over nonfiction.
May 21, 2023
I thought our bicycle odyssey was a big adventure, but this story was unfathomably more so. I COULDN'T PUT IT DOWN, and stayed up late into the night to finish. Paul Theroux said, " I waited 30 years for this book," and I understand why. One of the greatest solo adventures I have ever heard of. Kudos to Dave Shively for chronicling Ed Gillet's crossing. Amazing- it has stuck with me for days afterward.
December 8, 2019
Quick read. The author’s style is very journalistic, and I’m not sure it does the story justice. Paragraphs are a bit choppy (no ocean pun intended). The story itself is indeed impressive. I felt like I was reading “Unbroken” again at times, but with someone voluntarily putting themselves in that situation...the salt, the sores, the hunger, the lack of sleep and the anxiety. Whew.
July 19, 2021
Easy read with some engrossing moments
Pretty straightforward read about Miller's solo kayak feat across the Western Pacific. The book is well-written and has moments of excitement, however, I was hoping for a more gripping tale of adventure. Not exactly a page turner, but it was a quick read.
Pretty straightforward read about Miller's solo kayak feat across the Western Pacific. The book is well-written and has moments of excitement, however, I was hoping for a more gripping tale of adventure. Not exactly a page turner, but it was a quick read.
March 7, 2023
A very impressive feat of kayaking, but I didn't find it as gripping or as engaging as I'd hoped, partly because a lot of the book is about stuff that isn't the crossing itself. I know there needs to be context, but it feels like it's been padded out to make it into a book.
February 2, 2024
Fun adventure story. I was very much engaged with Ed Gillet's journey thanks to this well-written account. I appreciated the author's take on the psychological, as well as physical, aspects of this difficult journey.
May 20, 2025
Dave shivery delivers a detailed account Of Ed Gillet's brave and bold kayak adventure from California to Hawaii. A first and maybe the last (so far) trip to be made solo and unsupported. a fast and exciting read.
November 24, 2021
Amazing story. Well written book. Goes beyond a simple description of the trip.
May 22, 2022
Very interesting how someone can survive on a kayak like that!! Loved the pictures
Read
September 14, 2022Excellent. Having paddled off the coast of Baja with Ed, the account rings true and is very gripping. Highly recommended.
January 24, 2024
Really a 4.5.
December 27, 2020
A fascinating story about the only guy who has been able to accomplish paddling a kayak from California to Hawaii. The author well captures this man’s desire to test himself though the actual journey seems a bit muddied with a lack of detail. I, as reader, never felt the threats as keenly as they surely must have been. I feel there is much more to know about the psyche of the paddler that we’ll probably never understand.
July 9, 2020
I cannot image kayaking across the Pacific Ocean, but I found Dave Shively's account with all the preparations necessary and all of the challenges during the journey utterly fascinating.
February 27, 2019
A very good book of you like stories about man against the Ocean.
Ed Stillet crossed the Ocean in a kayak from California to Hawaii in 65 days more than 30 yrs.ago.
He was the 1st. to do so at great peril to himself.
Since than,there have been a few others,but not in kayak.
It is a good story about a man and how he handles each crisis in his life.He was very emotional thru parts of the trip,which was understandable.
The book also discussed a few other persons who attempted to cross the Ocean as well.
It wasn't the adventure type,that I prefer reading,but parts of it were good.
Ed Stillet crossed the Ocean in a kayak from California to Hawaii in 65 days more than 30 yrs.ago.
He was the 1st. to do so at great peril to himself.
Since than,there have been a few others,but not in kayak.
It is a good story about a man and how he handles each crisis in his life.He was very emotional thru parts of the trip,which was understandable.
The book also discussed a few other persons who attempted to cross the Ocean as well.
It wasn't the adventure type,that I prefer reading,but parts of it were good.
Read
April 9, 2019An incredible story.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews