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Lost at Sea: Eddie Rickenbacker's Twenty-Four Days Adrift on the Pacific--A World War II Tale of Courage and Faith
The forgotten story of American war hero Eddie Rickenbacker's crash landing in the Pacific during World War II, and his incredible twenty-three-day crusade to keep his crew alive
In the darkest days of World War II, an unlikely civilian was sent to deliver a letter from Washington to General MacArthur in New Guinea. Eddie Rickenbacker was a genuine icon, a pioneer of aviation, the greatest fighter pilot of the First World War, recipient of the Medal of Honor, who’d retired to become a renowned race car driver. Now in his fifties, one of the most admired men in America, Rickenbacker was again serving his nation, riding high above the Pacific as a passenger aboard a B-17.
But soon the plane was forced to crash-land on the ocean surface, leaving its eight occupants adrift in tiny rubber life rafts, hundreds of miles from the nearest speck of land. Lacking fresh water and with precious little food, the men faced days of unrelenting sun, followed by nights shivering in the cold, fighting pangs of hunger, exhaustion, and thirst, all the while circled by sharks. Each prayed to see a friendly vessel on the horizon, and dreaded the arrival of a Japanese warship. Meanwhile, as the US Navy scoured the South Pacific, American radio and newspapers back home parsed every detail of Rickenbacker's disappearance, and an adoring public awaited news of his fate.
Using survivors’ accounts and contemporary records, award-winning author John Wukovits brings to life a gripping story of survival, leadership, and faith in a time of crisis.
In the darkest days of World War II, an unlikely civilian was sent to deliver a letter from Washington to General MacArthur in New Guinea. Eddie Rickenbacker was a genuine icon, a pioneer of aviation, the greatest fighter pilot of the First World War, recipient of the Medal of Honor, who’d retired to become a renowned race car driver. Now in his fifties, one of the most admired men in America, Rickenbacker was again serving his nation, riding high above the Pacific as a passenger aboard a B-17.
But soon the plane was forced to crash-land on the ocean surface, leaving its eight occupants adrift in tiny rubber life rafts, hundreds of miles from the nearest speck of land. Lacking fresh water and with precious little food, the men faced days of unrelenting sun, followed by nights shivering in the cold, fighting pangs of hunger, exhaustion, and thirst, all the while circled by sharks. Each prayed to see a friendly vessel on the horizon, and dreaded the arrival of a Japanese warship. Meanwhile, as the US Navy scoured the South Pacific, American radio and newspapers back home parsed every detail of Rickenbacker's disappearance, and an adoring public awaited news of his fate.
Using survivors’ accounts and contemporary records, award-winning author John Wukovits brings to life a gripping story of survival, leadership, and faith in a time of crisis.
432 pages, Hardcover
Published May 16, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
May 18, 2024
This is a well-written, entertaining, thoroughly researched, nonfiction account of eight men lost at sea during WWII. It is harrowing, heart wrenching and inspirational, and vividly depicts the strength, courage, resilience, faith and hope of the crew. I was not aware of this incident, and I was only aware of Eddie Rickenbacker's status as a WWI flying ace prior to reading this novel, and I enjoyed learning about his accomplishments while being enthralled by this well told tale. I listened to the audio book , and the narrator, Mr. Nathan Agin, has a captivating voice and is truly talented.
December 6, 2023
Mr. Wukovits’ account of a neglected chapter in the Pacific Theater moves at a brisk pace, his prose being tight and spare, employing an economy of words.
I’m surprised I’d never knew of Captain Eddie Rickenbacker’s forced ditching in the Pacific Ocean, several hundred miles from the nearest atoll staffed with US Naval personnel. It’s quite a harrowing story of a 24 day survival and the reader gains a highly vicarious sense of the incredible suffering he and seven others on board the B-17 bomber bound for Brisbane, Australia from Hawaii endured. From extreme thirst, hunger, bodily pains owing to exposure by sun and salt water, eliciting open sores—it all makes for a unnerving read showcasing incredible hardship.
One of the more fascinating elements in the book is the battle of wills between pilot Cherry and Captain Rickenbacker, vying for overall command of the party of survivors. Rickenbacker ultimately was responsible for their predicament, but owing to his intrepidness, bold demeanor and magnetic personality over the decades (resulting from his hero status as the premier US WW1 ace coupled with his car racing skills and business acumen), he was something of a media darling who could do no wrong. Lt. Cherry did not receive the same accolades and hero worship upon his safe return to the US (likewise his other comrades), which became a very empathetic moment for me as the book neared its conclusion.
One oversight I noted was that the author eludes to American citizens as being anxious over the “dire” state of affairs in the Pacific Theater of operations with the unresolved campaign at Guadalcanal and the potential loss of Rickenbacker weighing heavily on the minds of all. In actuality, by this point in time, the US Navy had made great strides in turning the tide of war against Japan at the Battle of the Eastern Soloman Islands, the Battle of Savo Island, the Battle of Midway and from a strategic (if not tactical standpoint) the Battle of the Coral Sea.
Highly satisfying overall and I look forward to reading other titles by the author.
I’m surprised I’d never knew of Captain Eddie Rickenbacker’s forced ditching in the Pacific Ocean, several hundred miles from the nearest atoll staffed with US Naval personnel. It’s quite a harrowing story of a 24 day survival and the reader gains a highly vicarious sense of the incredible suffering he and seven others on board the B-17 bomber bound for Brisbane, Australia from Hawaii endured. From extreme thirst, hunger, bodily pains owing to exposure by sun and salt water, eliciting open sores—it all makes for a unnerving read showcasing incredible hardship.
One of the more fascinating elements in the book is the battle of wills between pilot Cherry and Captain Rickenbacker, vying for overall command of the party of survivors. Rickenbacker ultimately was responsible for their predicament, but owing to his intrepidness, bold demeanor and magnetic personality over the decades (resulting from his hero status as the premier US WW1 ace coupled with his car racing skills and business acumen), he was something of a media darling who could do no wrong. Lt. Cherry did not receive the same accolades and hero worship upon his safe return to the US (likewise his other comrades), which became a very empathetic moment for me as the book neared its conclusion.
One oversight I noted was that the author eludes to American citizens as being anxious over the “dire” state of affairs in the Pacific Theater of operations with the unresolved campaign at Guadalcanal and the potential loss of Rickenbacker weighing heavily on the minds of all. In actuality, by this point in time, the US Navy had made great strides in turning the tide of war against Japan at the Battle of the Eastern Soloman Islands, the Battle of Savo Island, the Battle of Midway and from a strategic (if not tactical standpoint) the Battle of the Coral Sea.
Highly satisfying overall and I look forward to reading other titles by the author.
January 10, 2023
I can't count how many books I've read recently which contain so much extraneous material that I wonder, "where was the editor in all of this?" I just want the story I signed up for and not padding to get to a page count. A perfect example of avoiding this trap is John Wukovits' Lost at Sea. It is a focused look at a forgotten episode of World War II which is all story and no fluff.
Eddie Rickenbacker may not be the household name he used to be, but anyone who likes flying has probably heard of him. In World War II, he was a civilian on a somewhat secret mission and hitching a ride across the Pacific. As you may be able to tell by the title of the book, it did not go well.
Wukovits tells the story masterfully which is to say he states the facts and let's the history speak for itself. The entire narrative is unbelievable and needs no embellishment. There is even an undercurrent of religion and what it means when you are facing death. I worried that this theme might make the book preachy but Wukovits never let's it get that way. He talks about religion because his characters did. It's a perfectly balanced book which any World War II nerd must read.
(This book was provided as an advance copy by Netgalley and Penguin Group Dutton. The full review will be posted to HistoryNerdsUnited.com on 5/16/23.)
Eddie Rickenbacker may not be the household name he used to be, but anyone who likes flying has probably heard of him. In World War II, he was a civilian on a somewhat secret mission and hitching a ride across the Pacific. As you may be able to tell by the title of the book, it did not go well.
Wukovits tells the story masterfully which is to say he states the facts and let's the history speak for itself. The entire narrative is unbelievable and needs no embellishment. There is even an undercurrent of religion and what it means when you are facing death. I worried that this theme might make the book preachy but Wukovits never let's it get that way. He talks about religion because his characters did. It's a perfectly balanced book which any World War II nerd must read.
(This book was provided as an advance copy by Netgalley and Penguin Group Dutton. The full review will be posted to HistoryNerdsUnited.com on 5/16/23.)
June 19, 2023
What an absolute gem of a book. Mr. Wukovits has done it again. I will read everything this man writes because he does it with heart and impeccable story telling. The adventures of Eddie Rickenbacker are epic and the concise and entertaining delivery from Wukovits brings the main story, this being the ditching of a b17 and subsequent survival on the sea for 24 days by eight men, to vivid life for the reader.
I enjoyed the entire book and was on the edge of my seat for most of it. Mr. Wukovits is quite possibly the best World War Two historian as he has a seriously unique eye for finding the most interesting and in some cases little known stories and bringing them to the reader. The man is a national treasure.
I enjoyed the entire book and was on the edge of my seat for most of it. Mr. Wukovits is quite possibly the best World War Two historian as he has a seriously unique eye for finding the most interesting and in some cases little known stories and bringing them to the reader. The man is a national treasure.
April 12, 2024
Their secure worlds had shifted from the bomb bay of a B-17 to the diminutive realm of rubber rafts, which were now their oceangoing habitats until rescue, imprisonment, or death arrived.
Lost at Sea tells the story of the charismatic national hero Eddie Rickenbacker and his harrowing days stranded at sea in the midst of World War II. For nearly a month, he and seven others--active military men--drifted somewhere in the Pacific, hoping that they would be rescued.
The book is primarily about Rickenbacker, who takes center stage in his own account and the account of other survivors, either due to his charismatic, or, perhaps, arrogant nature. Rising to fame after becoming the prime World War I fighter ace and Medal of Honor recipient, Rickenbacker spent the majority of his life on the spotlight. After returning from the war, he became a race car driver, an aviation pioneer, a speaker, and an airline executive. Though a civilian by the 1940s, Rickenbacker was tasked with delivering a message to General MacArthur, a mission that would become derailed when the B-17 he traveled in was forced to ditch in the ocean.
Drawing on the stories of the survivors, Wukovits paints a story of desperate survival. The book was intriguing and mostly well written--there are several times when it is very repetitive--but otherwise it's a decent survival story. One thing that I didn't like was that the maps, photos, and captions don't always align to the text--for example, the photo of a life raft is included nearly 100 pages after their description, so it's just odd timing. For those that had never heard of Eddie Rickenbacker, the photos/captions also ruin any suspense; while introducing the men involved in the story a caption under their photo plainly tells readers whether or not that man survived, and what his thoughts on the ordeal were.
The book also heavily focuses on the men's religions. Some of them were mildly religious, others were atheist or agnostic at the time of their ocean ditching. Over the next month, they all have some sort of religious awakening. The survivors would credit God and their faith as a major factor towards their survival, a stance that would become more heavy-handed towards the book's close. As a reader, I was apathetic towards the inclusion of religion, but others who are non-religious may find this a sticking point.
I found this to be a decent read about a moment in history I had never heard about. World War II may be the background for this book, but it's not strictly a WWII story. It's a biography of a national hero of the time and a survival story with a Christian flavor.
July 4, 2023
This book lands somewhere between a three and a four for me. The history of what occurred and the ability the men demonstrated to survive is remarkable and inspiring. Wukovits writes in a way where the storytelling is central and every point is delivered as fact, despite being sourced from memories collected after delirium and trauma and noting that Rickenbacker had a tendency for exaggeration. The book has strong religious under tones and frequently repeats. While I don't love everything about the way it was written, I still found it inspiring and would recommend people to become familiar with the experience these men faced. I received a copy of Lost at Sea from Goodreads Giveaway.
January 28, 2023
A truly inspirational novel regarding the hardships faced by eight individuals adrift in the Pacific. What they were forced to endure in a raft and the near death experience will inspire you. This is a great book and highly recommended.
Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
November 23, 2023
Lost at Sea is the story of famed race car driver turned WWI flying ace turned successful businessman Eddie Rickenbacker and his ordeal trapped in a small rubber raft adrift on the Pacific Ocean for 24 days. Rickenbacker, once a household name in America, has been seemingly all but forgotten by the 21st century. He was known for his miraculous survival against all odds from various incidents throughout his life. His "never give up" spirit and stubbornly optimistic, "my way or the highway" attitude earned him the awe and respect of the American public, and the ire of some of his subordinates. In many ways, though, he represented the American spirit itself to many of his admirers.
During World War II, Rickenbacker was sent on a secret mission to deliver a message to General MacArthur in Australia when his plane got lost en route and had to ditch in the Pacific Ocean after running out of fuel. The bulk of this book is comprised of the story of the survival of Rickenbacker and other members of the crew. It is an incredible story, and one that is marked with conflict, suffering, faith, and hope.
Author John Wukovits tells the story straight with only minor literary flourish. To me, it almost reminds me of educational videos shown to children in schools in its almost flat presentation of facts. Wukovits even repeats lines from previous chapters in order to refresh out memories when certain things are mentioned again later on, as school educational materials often do. The only notable emphasis, in my opinion, is the one he places on how important religion was to the survivors. Though I do not doubt it was true, you can clearly tell that Wukovits finds religion's part in the story important and moving.
Otherwise, it's an interesting read about a story from WWII that has been seemingly left at the back of the bookshelves of history. I find it fascinating that a person who once had such renown as Rickenbacker can so quickly be lost in the fog of time. It is interesting to see which figures stick in the collective memories of groups of people over long periods of time and which figures do not. Though, reading between the lines, he sounds like he was a brash and difficult man, he has certainly had an interesting life.
During World War II, Rickenbacker was sent on a secret mission to deliver a message to General MacArthur in Australia when his plane got lost en route and had to ditch in the Pacific Ocean after running out of fuel. The bulk of this book is comprised of the story of the survival of Rickenbacker and other members of the crew. It is an incredible story, and one that is marked with conflict, suffering, faith, and hope.
Author John Wukovits tells the story straight with only minor literary flourish. To me, it almost reminds me of educational videos shown to children in schools in its almost flat presentation of facts. Wukovits even repeats lines from previous chapters in order to refresh out memories when certain things are mentioned again later on, as school educational materials often do. The only notable emphasis, in my opinion, is the one he places on how important religion was to the survivors. Though I do not doubt it was true, you can clearly tell that Wukovits finds religion's part in the story important and moving.
Otherwise, it's an interesting read about a story from WWII that has been seemingly left at the back of the bookshelves of history. I find it fascinating that a person who once had such renown as Rickenbacker can so quickly be lost in the fog of time. It is interesting to see which figures stick in the collective memories of groups of people over long periods of time and which figures do not. Though, reading between the lines, he sounds like he was a brash and difficult man, he has certainly had an interesting life.
March 7, 2024
This story goes into the time in WWII when Eddie Rickenbacker was flying as a passenger in a B-17 with the crew and the plane crashed in the Pacific. Part of the book goes into the life of Eddie Rickenbacker who was a World War One Ace and a Medal of Honor Recipient. He also had many other accomplishments. I will say that I do remember reading a book in the seventies about him and this event and there was also a movie made not in the seventies but it was good at the time, but hey I was a kid and knew about him from my granddad who fought in WWI and my father fought in WWII so I was interested. Here though this book was more real to life to what took place on those rafts and also the end when they split up. How the actual pilot really should be created with saving the men for if they all would have stayed together I don’t think they would have made it. Rickenbacker did apologize to the captain of the plane but by then he had already had a dislike for Rickenbacker and you could get that feel by the reading from this book. Still, I enjoyed this book, and brought back memories from when I was a kid and how back then not everything was always so rosy. A good read. I received this book from Netgalley.com
May 3, 2024
Sensory-weirdos-like-me be warned: Narrator's got a dreadful and rather frequent s/sh whistle, was very stabby for my lil' ears, but is mitigatable with the right cheap mids-focused speaker.
Took me a while to jive with the gushy fanboying that makes up the whole first act, but I got there (Eddie IS pretty frickin' cool lol I get it). Author seems to care WAAAAAY more about the people-becoming-religious themes than I do, but it was clearly important to several of the survivors, and I don't mind just kinda tuning out a bit now and then about it. Denouement also felt really drawn out, but I'm a very "I'm just here for the cream filling" type of reader (I want high stakes, gory detail, survival strategies, constant thrills, etc), so objectively I suspect it's probably all fairly well balanced. And now I know who Eddie Rickenbacker is, which I'm kinda surprised I didn't before, since he sounds so wildly accomplished as to seem nearly fictional.
Not my favorite survival story, and not one I'll probably ever reread, but one worth telling, and plenty likeable for any fan of such stories, especially those more sentimental than I am. Wouldn't go shouting about it from rooftops but certainly have no reason to recommend against it.
Took me a while to jive with the gushy fanboying that makes up the whole first act, but I got there (Eddie IS pretty frickin' cool lol I get it). Author seems to care WAAAAAY more about the people-becoming-religious themes than I do, but it was clearly important to several of the survivors, and I don't mind just kinda tuning out a bit now and then about it. Denouement also felt really drawn out, but I'm a very "I'm just here for the cream filling" type of reader (I want high stakes, gory detail, survival strategies, constant thrills, etc), so objectively I suspect it's probably all fairly well balanced. And now I know who Eddie Rickenbacker is, which I'm kinda surprised I didn't before, since he sounds so wildly accomplished as to seem nearly fictional.
Not my favorite survival story, and not one I'll probably ever reread, but one worth telling, and plenty likeable for any fan of such stories, especially those more sentimental than I am. Wouldn't go shouting about it from rooftops but certainly have no reason to recommend against it.
August 15, 2024
This is a good book. Not one I would call great, but not a bad book either. I would recommend it to certain people. I listened to the audio of this one, so it was only after that I learned of the inclusion of maps, and photos. That would have been nice. I found the constant repetition to be frustrating. I do not constantly need to be reminded of things as a reader, and once it happens more than a few times, I find myself growing increasingly frustrated. Then the author takes an interesting turn and the book becomes about religion in an interesting way. Sure, I get that people facing the end of their life would probably contemplate religion, but there was just a lot of it. I did find Eddie as a man very fascinating. He did so much in his lifetime and the author does a good job of highlighting his accomplishments. On audio this book was a little dull at times, had I been reading with my eyes I think I would have put this one down often, and that’s not something I enjoy doing. I just didn’t find myself being drawn to this story like I am others.
Like I said, this is a good book, but it wasn’t a great read for me.
Thank you to @PRHAudio for the audio version of this book. All thoughts are my own.
Like I said, this is a good book, but it wasn’t a great read for me.
Thank you to @PRHAudio for the audio version of this book. All thoughts are my own.
August 23, 2023
A new release that looked interesting. I don’t know how in all my World War II reading, I have never come across Eddie rickenbacker’s name. He was a World War I flying ace who became a celebrity. On a mission during wwii, the plane he was riding in was lost in the Pacific Ocean and ran out of fuel. This is his story and that of the men he was with during their time on the ocean awaiting rescue.
What I wasn’t prepared for was the key element that faith played in this whole story. The author details how God used this life-threatening experience to draw them to Himself, including an agnostic. Interestingly, the author also suggested that perhaps Rickenbacker alone was not as moved spiritually by his experience. Sad.
What I wasn’t prepared for was the key element that faith played in this whole story. The author details how God used this life-threatening experience to draw them to Himself, including an agnostic. Interestingly, the author also suggested that perhaps Rickenbacker alone was not as moved spiritually by his experience. Sad.
September 20, 2023
This was actually a really enjoyable read. I have never heard of Eddie Rickenbacker before, but the author did a great job in telling me not only who he was but also, and more importantly, what he went through.
Not only Eddie though.
8 guys went down in the Pacific and lived on 3 little life rafts for some 27 days. What an ordeal.
When reading this I couldn't help relate the story to other survival stories. Most notably were Sir Ernest Shackleton journey, and that of Louis Zamperini.
Shackleton for the crazy coincidences of finding something to eat or drink or some relief at just the right time.
Zamperini for surviving many instances of possibly losing his life and then he too finding his belief in a higher power.
Both those and even others seem to bear a common thread to this.
Not only Eddie though.
8 guys went down in the Pacific and lived on 3 little life rafts for some 27 days. What an ordeal.
When reading this I couldn't help relate the story to other survival stories. Most notably were Sir Ernest Shackleton journey, and that of Louis Zamperini.
Shackleton for the crazy coincidences of finding something to eat or drink or some relief at just the right time.
Zamperini for surviving many instances of possibly losing his life and then he too finding his belief in a higher power.
Both those and even others seem to bear a common thread to this.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 14, 2023
John Wukovits what a great book. A truly inspirational novel regarding the hardships faced by eight individuals adrift in the Pacific. What they were forced to endure in a raft and the near death experience will inspire you. Wukovits tells the story masterfully which is to say he states the facts and let's the history speak for itself. The entire narrative is unbelievable and needs no embellishment. There is even an undercurrent of religion and what it means when you are facing death. Highly recommend.
March 30, 2024
Interesting tale about 8 folks time adrift the Pacific in 3 tethered-together life rafts during WWII. One of the crew was none other than Eddie Rickenbacker, WWI ace and former race car driver. Several chapters detailed the experience but a lot of the book seemed like fluff and repetition about the crew's personal lives (particularly Rickenbacker). I'm just interested in how the hell you live on a raft in the middle of nowhere of the Pacific Ocean for 3+ weeks (you catch fish and it rains).
August 14, 2023
I enjoy books that detail true events, where people overcome seemingly insurmountable odds to survive. This is one of these books. And, the fact religion/faith played an active part was a bonus. Eddie Rickenbacker was a force to be reckoned with. It's interesting how certain forces shape people into leaders.
September 2, 2023
My God...What was the message that Henry L. Stimson wanted Eddie to deliver to MacArthur...The world will never know because they took it to their graves! Oh well it was probably something to with the general wanting more planes and ships for the Pacific Theater, ie "The Squeaky Wheel Gets The Grease."
November 26, 2023
This was a great treatment of a story I was vaguely aware of but didn’t know well. The author is so good that one feels as if they are in the boat with the men depicted in this non fiction. Additionally I had my memory refreshed on the remarkable Rickenbacker. Anyone who is into non fiction or history or survival will like this one.
July 5, 2023
Lost at Sea is an amazing account of Eddie Rickenbacker and six other men’s perseverance through a e at sea after surviving a plane crash. The author does an excellent job of profiling the men and their families. I appreciated the faith elements to this book as well. Two thumbs up!
August 25, 2023
Inspiring and uplifting. Will remember this book when facing future difficulties.
September 5, 2023
Interesting history/story. This book really details how survival is often a mental challenge not merely a physical one.
September 15, 2023
A we’ll researched and well written account of a harrowing yet miraculous event from WWII.
November 2, 2023
3.5 stars. Somewhat repetitive; could use some editing to add tension.
November 6, 2023
Such courage and so much faith.
January 7, 2024
Outstanding book about an amazing WW2 survival story
January 11, 2024
Excellent! It's a story that FAITH moves more than mountains! These men all are HEROES! They are finally able to be known and remembered! A must-read!
January 19, 2024
Review is for audiobook
March 23, 2024
The story? Spectacular. The ultra-heavy-handed religiosity of it? Less so, and honestly kind of jarring. I kept checking if it was published by a Christian imprint.
July 21, 2024
Fascinating to learn about Rickenbacker, he had quite the life. Well written, kept me engaged the whole time.
December 3, 2023
At times a dull retelling of a compelling story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews