
On the Edge of Survival
A Shipwreck, a Raging Storm, and the Harrowing Alaskan Rescue That Became a Legend
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Narrated by:
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Robertson Dean
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By:
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Spike Walker
About this listen
A Malaysian cargo ship on its way from Seattle, Washington, to China ran aground off the coast of western Alaska's Aleutian Islands on December 8, 2004, during a brutal storm, leading to one of the most incredible Coast Guard rescue missions of all time.
Two Coast Guard Jayhawk helicopters lifted off immediately from Air Station Kodiak during the driving storm, in an effort to rescue the ship's 18 crew members before it broke apart and sank in the freezing waters. Nine of the crew were lifted from the ship and dropped aboard a nearby Coast Guard cutter. But during attempts to save the last eight crew members, one of the Jayhawks was engulfed by a rogue wave that broke over the bow of the ship. When its engines flamed out from ingesting water, the Jayhawk crashed into the sea. The seven crew members from the ship who had been hoisted into the aircraft, along with the chopper's three-man crew, plunged into the bitterly cold ocean, where hypothermia immediately began to set in.
Interviewing all the surviving participants of the disaster and given access to documents and photos, acclaimed author Spike Walker has once again crafted a white-knuckle book of survival and death in the unforgiving Alaskan waters.
©2010 Spike Walker (P)2010 TantorListeners also enjoyed...
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Northeaster
- A Story of Courage and Survival in the Blizzard of 1952
- By: Cathie Pelletier
- Narrated by: Morgan Bailey Keaton
- Length: 8 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
For many, the past few years have been defined by climate disaster. Stories about once-in-a-lifetime hurricanes, floods, fires, droughts, and even snowstorms are now commonplace. But dramatic weather events are not new and Northeaster, Cathie Pelletier's breathtaking account of the 1952 snowstorm that blanketed New England, offers a valuable reminder about nature's capacity for destruction as well as insight into the human instinct for preservation.
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Excellent and well researched
- By Deb on 02-02-24
By: Cathie Pelletier
Edge
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True heroes
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Great Story not so great narration.
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An absolutely gripping true story…
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Would you listen to On the Edge of Survival again? Why?
Yes. Would still be an adventure. Also, could learn more nautical terms.What did you like best about this story?
The expertise of the characters.Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
No.Any additional comments?
Great adventure. Well told.Engaging!
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gripping story!
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How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?
There is no changing the story; it's non-fiction! :) But the author's take on the events was too one-sided and macho for me. I can see this as a movie with a bunch of buff actors with square jaws and shaved heads.What does Robertson Dean bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?
His voice is very manly, which is perfect for this book. It was a little too macho for me, but some may like it.Real Tough Guy Stuff
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Would you listen to On the Edge of Survival again? Why?
The story is told from different viewpoints of the men who participated in the rescue attempt. I think I would enjoy hearing it again, knowing it was a real-life experience.What did you like best about this story?
I was amazed at how dedicated these men were and in spite of tremendous odds and difficulties were able to rescue so many. It seemed like a miracle that they were able to perform as well as they did.What about Robertson Dean’s performance did you like?
He read carefully and deliberately so that the many different members could each telltheir own stories. I was able to follow the story despite its many jumps to different
locations.
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
When the Aaron Bean, the rescue swimmer was finally rescued.Any additional comments?
I was touched by the commitment of these men to save lives and see how theirsuccess and failure touched their lives after the rescue.
Engaging story of Coast Guard rescue
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Where does On the Edge of Survival rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?
It goes in my heartily recommend file. A gripping story well read as usual by Robertson Dean.Outstanding Listen. worth the time
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My only wish is that narrators asked how to properly pronounce Alaskan place names
Couldn't Stop Listening!
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