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Black Wave: A Family's Adventure at Sea and the Disaster That Saved Them (Unabridged) | 
 enlarge | Author: Silverwood, John, Jean Silverwood
Publisher: audible.com
Category: Book
List Price: $24.95
Buy New: $13.10
You Save: $11.85 (47%)
Rating:  37 reviews
Sales Rank: 7434474
Media: Audio Download
ASIN: B001E23RNU
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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Product Description
“I told God that if he would let us survive this night, I would make it mean something worthwhile. And then, somehow, I felt calmer than I have ever felt. Unreasonably so. Irrationally so. I looked over the scene of our wrecked life and I smiled–a crazy smile for sure–and I looked through the dark at the mad beauty of it.”
–Jean Silverwood
An exhilarating true-life adventure of one family’s extraordinary sea voyage of self-discovery and survival, tragedy and triumph
Successful businessman John Silverwood and his wife, Jean, both experienced sailors, decided the time was right to give their four children a taste of thrilling life on the high seas. And indeed their journey aboard the fifty-five-foot catamaran Emerald Jane would have many extraordinary and profound moments, whether it was the peaceful late-night watches John enjoyed under the stunning celestial sky or the elation shared by the whole family at the sight of blissful pods of dolphin and migrating tortoises. John and Jean had hoped to use the trip as a teaching opportunity, with the Emerald Jane as a floating classroom in which to instruct their children in important lessons–not only about the natural world but about the beauty of human life when stripped down to its essence, far from the trappings of civilization.
Yet rather than flourishing amid the new freedoms and responsibilities thrust upon them, the children were sometimes confused, frightened, resentful. The two oldest, fourteen-year-old Ben and twelve-year-old Amelia, missed their friends and the comfortable life left behind in San Diego, while the two youngest, Jack, seven, and Camille, three, picked up on the stressful currents running above and below the surface–for throughout the journey, the Silverwood family found its bonds tested as never before.
John and Jean, whose marriage had weathered its share of storms, would wonder again if they had taken on too much as the physical, emotional, and financial strains of caring for the expensive catamaran and their children brought old resentments to the surface.
John’s dream trip that began on Long Island Sound ended almost two years later as a nightmare in treacherous waters off a remote atoll in French Polynesia, where, in an explosion of awesome violence, the terrifying brunt of the ocean’s anger fell upon the Emerald Jane.
Gradually, in the crucible of the sea, a stronger, more closely knit unit was forged. The Silverwoods became a crew. Then they became a family again. But just as it seemed to them that they had mastered every challenge, their world was shattered in a split-second of unimaginable horror. Now their real challenge began, forcing them to fight for their very lives.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 32 more reviews...
 Incredible True Life Story December 27, 2008
This book was amazing from the VERY FIRST page. It puts your whole life and goals into perspective....I could not put this book down, I read it non stop....Buy it and be thankful to the family for the indepth sharing...very, very heartwarming and real!!
 Family Bonds Through Tragedy and Hardship December 6, 2008
In an attempt to leave the hustle and bustle of city life in San Diego and take their family on a trip around the world, John and Jean Silverwood buy a 55-foot long boat called the Emerald Jane and take their four children on a once-in-a lifetime trip on the ocean. Using their boat and ports around the world as the classroom, the parents hope to teach their children priceless lessons. But, family bonds are tested through a multitude of problems faced on the high seas.
When their boat hits and becomes stranded on a reef, the family is forced to come together and use everything they learned on their adventure to survive and make it back home.
An almost impossible-sounding story, this will keep the reader on the edge of their seat as each page is turned to the climactic end.
Excellent book October 6, 2008
I couldn't put this book down. I was especially moved by Jean's account of the events. As a mother myself, I understand the inherent need to keep your kids safe. What an adventure this family took and it almost took everything from them. John and Jean were well prepared and had researched everything from route logistics to safety on the island--who knew you couldn't trust a taxi driver in Panama? If you are into sailing there's plenty of technical stuff to keep you on your toes, even if you're not, you still get the gist of the full power of the sea. Their story of survival is incredible. The bravery of Amelia and Ben especially stand out. The experiences they shared as a family will forever change them and bond them together too. They were able to work through so many obstacles--boat repairs, alcoholism, pirates, sea sickness, family drama, broken arm. Just an amazing read. Highly recommended.
Buying a Boat? October 3, 2008
Extremely interesting to anyone who has ever gone down to the sea in ships. An authentic and chilling review of what can go wrong and things that probably will go wrong. The modern equipment may not save your ship
but it may save your life (and limb?.) Would a regular single hull have
reacted differently?
Symbolic Title September 17, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
A page turner! An amazing story of a seemingly grounded family who ran aground (& then some!), finding their footing in spite of it. A story of risk-taking, persevering & resiliency. "Black Wave" not only represents the literal wave that hides what lurks beneath the surface, but also reflects the dynamics that lurk beneath a family's polished exterior.
Honest, compelling account -- interweaving 2 years aboard while returning to the scene of their ultimate crisis, where their journey challenges their very lives.
Don't let the esoteric jargon dissuade you from reading what is a much bigger story. There are incredible, articulate descriptions of people, landscapes, seascapes, and the beauty of sailing, which makes you feel like you're along for the ride. The photos add to the visual descriptions. It is a growing lesson, finding balance, maintaining sanity in close quarters. Jean Silverwood's honest assessment of their joys & struggles is refreshing and very real. Not glossing over the speed bumps that make us human -- and not even providing (or having) all the answers. Some really great humor adds levity to some tense situations.
This is a story of a family that grew stronger through each crisis (there were several) even when it seemed darkest. It gives you a healthy respect for the sea, and yet yearn to sail on it. Their conviction in each other & their faith is inspiring. So is Jean & John's palpable pride in their children.
[4 Star Rating as the 2nd half of the book got bogged down in John's need to parallel a historical shipwreck to this family's plight. Altho' educational, it became overlong and avoided the emotional experience that we're so privy to by Jean's account in the first half of the book. But it's quick enough to skim through.]
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