Castaway: Remarkable True Stories of Survival

Eleven shipwreck survivors offer unembellished accounts of journeys aboard four doomed ships in the Indian Ocean during the nineteenth century, including the thrill of eventual rescue by American whalers and sealers. Sellick, a freelance history and literary researcher and anthologist, unearths forgotten first-hand narratives from passengers and crew first published in English-speaking periodicals, newspapers, and books. The narratives are presented here with minimal or no editing. A final chapter by Stuart Frank (New Bedford Whaling Museum) offers background on the culture and industry of the whalers who served as rescuers. Distributed in the U.S. by ISBS. Annotation (c) Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)