Ten Degrees of Reckoning: The True Story of Survival at Sea - Amy Einhorn Books/Putnam - Perfect for Book Clubs & True Adventure Enthusiasts

There are many survival stories but few have the same flavor as Ten Degrees of Reckoning (TDR for short here). The basis of the story has been detailed elsewhere so I focus my review on how the story and writing affected me. Also, I will compare it to other adventure/survival stories so interested readers might get a sense of what this book offers.1. How the story affected me: I am a father, adventurer, and sailor and could identify with so much of the story. There were times when I just simply had to put the book down because the events were so powerful. You might think this is hyperbole but I assure you that anyone who has children and knows the dangers of the sea will find the entire story - from beginning to end - disturbing. I say disturbing not from a judgmental standpoint but rather from a reader's perspective. You will live through the authors' story for both good and bad.2. How the story compares with other adventure/survival stories: Here are a few that I found well worth reading and how Ten Degrees of Reckoning compares to each.- Deep Survival: Who Lives, Who Dies, and Why - I liked this book but TDR was better story. If you want to be immersed in a story, read TDR but don't overlook Deep Survival.- Adrift: Seventy-six Days Lost at Sea - One of the best survival books I read. TDR compares favorably but I would recommend Adrift over TDR simply because Adrift focuses more on the survival whereas TDR spreads the focus from pre to post survival - often diluting the story with important but somewhat tangential details.- Left for Dead: Surviving the Deadliest Storm in Modern Sailing History - I race sailboats and could identify with the racing elements in this book but TDR had a far more deeper meaning for me than a recount of a personal tragedy amidst a sailboat race could ever offer. Both are good books but for general survival and its after effects, I recommend TDR over Left for Dead.- Crazy for the Storm: A Memoir of Survival (P.S.) - I loved this book and, in many ways, it paralleled the story told in TDR. Both protagonists struggled to find meaning after their struggles. I recommend both but if you have a taste for the sea more than the mountains, read TDR; otherwise, take your pick.I hope these comparisons and brief report help you make a decision about this fine book.