Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
Adrift  By  cover art

Adrift

By: Steven Callahan
Narrated by: Steven Callahan
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $20.00

Buy for $20.00

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

Before The Perfect Storm, before In the Heart of the Sea, Steven Callahan's Adrift chronicled one of the most astounding voyages of the century and one of the great sea adventures of all time. In some ways the model for the new wave of adventure books, Adrift is now an undeniable seafaring classic, a riveting firsthand account by the only man known to have survived for more than a month alone at sea, fighting for his life in an inflatable raft after his small sloop capsized only six days from port.

Racked by hunger, buffeted by storms, scorched by the tropical sun, Callahan drifted for 1,800 miles, fighting off sharks with a makeshift spear and watching as nine ships passed him by. "A real human drama that delves deeply into man's survival instincts (Library Journal), Adrift is a story of anguish and horror, of undying heroism, hope, and survival, and a must-read for any adventure lover.

©2002 Steven Callahan (P)2007 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"An utterly absorbing saga." ( Newsweek)

"Fascinating...a clearly written ocean yarn in which the stakes are high and a brave man wins through." (Wall Street Journal)

What listeners say about Adrift

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    507
  • 4 Stars
    204
  • 3 Stars
    73
  • 2 Stars
    19
  • 1 Stars
    9
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    375
  • 4 Stars
    160
  • 3 Stars
    72
  • 2 Stars
    25
  • 1 Stars
    22
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    468
  • 4 Stars
    122
  • 3 Stars
    47
  • 2 Stars
    8
  • 1 Stars
    7

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

I listened all the way through

One of the rare audiobooks that I couldn't stop listening to. The details and story is what was missing from the other sailing books I've heard. The addition of the interview with the author was a great surprise.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

11 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Favourite Book

Any additional comments?

I really enjoyed this book, probably my favourite audio book so far, it was so interesting, way more than you would think for one person alone, the narration was great, I was excited to keep listening to it, highly recommend!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Simply amazing!

This is the second time reading/listening to this incredible story. I read the book a couple of years ago and was riveted. Then I purchased the audiobook and found myself rewinding and rewinding to hear passages again. I literally cried when Steven saw land and was rescued! I am in awe of this man, his spirit, his resilience and perseverance. Thank you so much for writing this book. I would love to meet him!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

wow! what a servile story!

it is nice when an author reads his own book. His narration was good, comma not great, But definitely adds to the story being that it was his tail of survival. It is a well Written book.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

To test oneself...

...to the limit cannot really be done in a training scenario no matter how serious the situation. It is only when death threatens around every corner that human ingenuity and the will to survive can be truly revealed. Callahan depicts these qualities in graphic brilliance and forces the listener to experience at least a little of what he went through.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Thinking positive and making correct decisions

I read this as a paperback when I was in college and love it. Surviving on a dingy for so long is quiet an accomplishment. Thinking positive and working every minute to survive. He mentioned several times about books he read about survivors, so I recommend reading this book if your planning on a long sea voyage.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Seriously engaging

Although I felt uneasy on the presentation over the first hour or so, the mental reward I’ve got past that and at the end of it was absolutely greatest I’ve ever had. That includes The interview at the end of the book.
Seriously serious. Seriously great. Humanity at its best! Thank you Mr. Callahan. I truly appreciate all that you did.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Could not stop listening!

Fast-paced and harrowing, Callahan's story is a roller coaster of emotions. A testament to how ingenuity is the key survival in the face of overwhelming odds. Loved every minute of this book.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

The story is amazing, the author reading it himself...not amazing

I really love the story, I wish they would record it again with a professional reading it. There were so many dramatic times in the book that the author just sounded like he was reading it as quickly as possible. I kind of think only David Sedaris can read his own work, also maybe Tony Robbins... But for the most part it’s not a good idea for an author to read his book, it actually does take a little bit of acting.
However, if you like a lost at sea adventure then this is a great book. Maybe, like me, you can just get past the reader.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

I liked it

I liked adrift for several reasons 1, I think the presentation of the book I also liked how he narrated it him self and I am amazed at how God can do such amazing things and how though him nothing Is impossible

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!