Daniel P Warner

No way he survives this time! But he must survive, he wrote the memoir!

Even knowing Brett Archibald lived to tell his harrowing tale of falling overboard in a remote section of the Indian Ocean, Alone had me cringing and holding my breath with him. I found myself wanting to give up as Archibald faced one hardship after another; one swell after another; one gale after another; one predator after another. But Archibald didn’t give up.

This memoir might be the best survival story I’ve ever read. The author captures Brett’s emotions beautifully as he comes oh-so-close to rescue his first day adrift, comes face to face with a shark, floats through jellyfish fields, and is attacked by rogue seagulls. But what impressed my the most was his will to live. The love of his wife and kids drove him. The fear of failure. And the pure survival instinct.

The book also traces the efforts of his surfing buddies to rescue him, as well as a black-sheep captain of another boat, nicknamed Doris, who didn’t even know Brett. The efforts of these men when the Indonesian government refused to help ultimately saved Brett’s life. Doris’ story and the motivations behind his drive to find Brett also intrigues.

Finally, the story back in South Africa of his wife and extended family and friends is heart-wrenching. Knowing her husband’s inner strength, she never stops believing that he is alive in the ocean. Alone.

I found Archibald’s struggles with his dormant faith in God to be particularly engrossing. At times confessional, at times livid with his maker, Brett’s spiritual outlook is forever changed.

This video captures the moment Brett was found by Doris’ boat and brought aboard after 28+ hours at sea: Rescue Video