The Millionaire Castaway

by Dave Glasheen, Neil Bramwell

Dave Glasheen’s life began spiralling out of control after he lost his family’s vast fortune in the stock market crash of 1987. After a series of catastrophes, he needed to take drastic measures to restore himself. Opting out of the rat race, he cast himself away to a deserted island off the north-east tip of Australia, as far off the grid as was humanly possible. He has lived there ever since.

One annual supermarket shop, a sketchy internet connection and enough ingredients for a home-brew satisfy Dave’s material needs. He catches fish, traps rainwater and cooks on an open fire. For company he tames dingoes, meets with friends from the Aboriginal community 40 kilometres away and entertains drop-ins such as Russell Crowe sailing past on his honeymoon. Then there’s Dave’s running feud with Boxhead, an antisocial saltwater crocodile who just won’t leave him in peace.

Between heartbreak and hair-raising adventures, Dave has found happiness on Restoration Island. Brimming with humour, eccentricity and hard-earned wisdom, The Millionaire Castaway will give you a whole new view on life.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography

330 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2019

Reviews

[Sputnik Sputnik · Rating 3 out of 5]

The key to enjoying this book is possibly understanding what it's actually about. I figured it was going to be a book that could really get you thinking about life choices, and what he went through to turn is back on regular life etc and although there's a pinch of that in here, it's mostly not about that at all. Instead it's pretty much like sitting around a fire while a bloke who's possibly had one too many tells you all his stories, often in no particular order. Wasn't at all what I was expecting. Oh well.

[Jill Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fascinating story. Dave was a millionaire who lost his fortune overnight and longed to change his position in the world. Restoration Island is where he planned to live and the place he made his home. He struggled to get a group together to buy the place and he had a portion of this. The battle rages still and he can be evicted at any time. He saw his four legged companions come and go. And felt the deep loss of his daughter’s death. His estrangement from his wife and other daughter. The son conceived on Resto is his pride and hope that when he passes their will be a legacy of being independent, living with nature, creating friends and appreciating the indigenous community.

[Rowlie · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an amazing guy! I thoroughly enjoyed this book and learning of the years Dave has survived on Restoration Island. He has a witty way of explaining things and initially I thought it would be boring but was mistaken as I couldn't put it down. Most of us would find it a desolate and lonely life but Dave has embraced it with a passion.

[Apolline · Rating 3 out of 5]

En librairie, j’achèterais ce livre par curiosité, pour comprendre comment un homme qui avait tout, se débrouille avec rien. La réalité, c’est qu’il ne vit pas avec rien. Seul sur une île à cinq kilomètres des côtes australiennes, facilement accessible par bateau, Dave n’a pas une vie de « naufragé ». Il ne supporte pas la solitude, se rend régulièrement sur le continent, participe à une télé réalité de dating.
Dave n’est pas une personne à laquelle je me suis attachée. Égocentré, il est fier de se faire appeler le Robinson Crusoé du 21ème siècle. Dès qu’il peut avoir l’attention des médias sur lui, il le fait. Nous n’apprenons rien de cette personne qui ne se remet jamais en question.

[William D Searl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was looking forward to this because of my familiarity and fondness for Far North Queensland.I ended up enjoying it for all sorts of reasons. Dave is a likeable character who, while wanting his solitude, is not a recluse and his interactions with locals, visitors and family are crucial to enjoying the book. He is resourceful, resilient and competent and inspirational from the point of view of reinventing yourself. If, like me you like accounts of adventurous people facing adversity, you should find this a very satisfying read.

[Sam Kitchen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worth a read

Like the pale blue waters off Restoration island this book is inviting. It then offers a deeper insight into a well lived life. Dave captures the challenges of living on a deserted island from snakes to sunburn. Paradise with a lot of work. Paradise but alone with your thoughts.

It is in the more personal moments where the true isolation resonates. A great read. I can’t wait to get there one day...

[Lois Barnard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book about a man who went from mega rich to living on an island off the northern Queensland coast.
Very interesting and as these books always do, help us all to reevaluate our priorities and in case you're interested, No I'm not going to live on an isolated island, too far from the shops!
Worth the read.

[Annie Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly enjoyed this read. Brave man.

[Dee Bond · Rating 5 out of 5]

This isnt just a book about living on an island. It’s a book about living. Doing it his way. Inspirational.

[Kerry Finlay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! What a fascinating (true) story of an extraordinary man!

[Harrison Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story. Easy to read. No groundbreaking message or learning, just a cool narrative about a cool dude.

[Royce Ratterman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though a bit crude in places, this is an interesting and page-turning read. Some might say this is 'another empty secular tale’ and others 'a true adventurer's life'; the greedy might relay that this is a riches to rags story. The humble-hearted would counter that with this book being a true rags to true riches autobiography.
The sands of time will tell what the masses think about the millionaire castaway David Glasheen and his world of island dreams. A thought that rings clearly throughout this work is that one man's lost fortune can be that same man's treasured gain.

[Peter Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read. All about the courage of a man to go against the grain as it were, after he lost his fortune. And although living in almost complete isolation, he still had family trials to deal with, loss of a much loved daughter, the birth of his Son, plus numerous other problems to deal with.
He showed fantastic courage to live his life his way with dignity and perseverance. It's just a shame some more of us don't have the same courage.

[Brian Henson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A kindred spirit. A rare insight into someone who is different, in the nicest possible way.

Like Dave, I was seduced by the corporate world, with all its rewards and all the stress which just led to more stress. I am the same age as Dave and have just started to live a "different" sort of life. Maybe I have left my run a bit late but it is working for me so far. Reading Dave's book has inspired me to look forward in hope.

[Donald F. Vogt III · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written entertaining book. Having lived on islands and remote places I can see the appeal. I think there are many people who will see this book and dream of the fantasy of island life and then there will be a few that really appreciate this book as to the reality of island life. Its not easy but it enriches the soul. I recommend this book for those who understand that less is more..

[Margaret Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story of millionaire who lost all in stock market crash in 1987 & set out to an island far north Queensland with nearest neighbours 40 kms away. He is still there but could be evicted any time. I heard him interviewed on the radio last year so decided to read his story.

[Laurie Dillon · Rating 4 out of 5]

it’s a strange book with sadness and freedom

It’s a strange book with sadness and freedom that came at a cost. But I’m hope it will give more insight towards indigenous people that there home is there land and country is there place.

[Claude · Rating 3 out of 5]

An okay read. An easy read.

[Lily · Rating 3 out of 5]

nice simple read. very interesting but had some 'interesting' information. would definitely read again.

[Sensei Sarhn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel as if I have just spent hours around a campfire with a perfect stranger, swapping life tales and personal adventure stories.

[Deb Kingston · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 🌟’s a good read a bit repetitive in parts but interesting story.