Louise TitchenerRecensioni

1882 Ex-Pinkerton detective and former army sharpshooter, Oliver Redcastle is forced to investigate a railway explosion at the Carrolltown Viaduct which killed three men. Who and why was John D. Rockefeller's private railroad car sabotaged. But what secrets will his investigation reveal.
An entertaining historical mystery with a likeable main character. A good start to the series.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really like historical fiction in which the author shows me a broad and detailed view of an unfamiliar setting. This takes a lot of research and imagination, and Titchener does it here in spades.

Florida in 1885 WAS much like the wild west. Our hero, Oliver Redcastle, is a detective from Baltimore on assignment to find a missing investor in Tampa. We follow Redcastle’s adventures from the glittering high society of Tampa, to the horrors of imprisonment in a backwoods turpentine camp, through hair-raising escapes in the wilderness and at sea, and finally to a series of violent encounters in the Everglades.

The author is also sensitive to historical social issues, and we’re exposed to believable characters from diverse races, classes, and economic backgrounds. These include Cuban gun runners, con men, Florida crackers, and a kick-ass Lady detective (who, like Redcastle himself, is beautifully drawn, evincing not only courage and determination, but depth and vulnerability).

I loved everything about this novel. If you like historical fiction, I think you will too.

This book is more a memoir of Jean Silverwood's experience of going to sea with her family than it is a true seafarer's adventure story. Having read many of those, as the wife of a sailor, I expected there to be more about the sailing conditions, details about the boat, and the disaster alluded to in the title. (Sea disasters usually end up with survivors floating for days in open rubber life rafts, thirsty, hungry, and sunbaked before they are finally rescued.) So if you are looking for the typical disaster yarn you will be disappointed. However, if you want to hear a first hand tale of what it's like to live aboard with 4 children and a marriage that is just barely holding together, this is the book for you.

Black Wave combines true-life adventure on the high seas with an intimate portrait of family life under stress. Jean Silverwood does a great job maintaining suspense, as she intersperses the harrowing survival story with character-revealing flashbacks. Her unflinching honesty proves the courage shown during the shipwreck. Jean had my heart racing and a few tears flowing.
I also enjoyed her husband John's more analytic reflection in 'Book II.' He provides a fascinating historical comparison to another shipwreck - on the very same reef - in 1855. While not the page-turner of Book I, this account provides context for an equally intimate window onto his examination of conscience: How could I have lead my family into this crisis? We're also privy to his wrenching search for redemption amidst human limitation.
This is a generous book, and a great read!

Is this book a must read? Not in my opinion. I think it could've been written a little better. I did enjoy it somewhat though. The challenges they faced and the choices they made kept my attention and made me think. The family has been through a lot which is sad yet a little inspirational. I think the story had potential of being a big hit had it been put together in a more readable way.

I enjoyed this book, though I felt it was stretched a bit to fit into a book, otherwise, well worth it.

A good story is a good story, even when something is lost in translation. Good stylists don’t always have good stories to tell, and vice versa: the pairing of the two aspects usually results in Great Literature.

Black Wave is a good story told — well, just *told*. Which, considering that the storytellers participated in the disaster in the subheading, is disappointing.

Full review is posted here:

http://www.jasonpanella.com/2009/07/27/black-wave-by-john-and-jean-silverwood/

As someone who would never choose to take a boat ride, this true and highly detailed story of a family's experiences and eventual disaster with their yacht was a very fast and exciting reading experience---but it also served to reinforce my personal feelings about boats!

Jean, the wife, describes things from her point of view and goes into everything---the good, the bad and the oh-so-awful aspects of being with your family in a small space for a lengthy period of time. They had absolutely wonderful experiences but it sounded extremely hard. There was a constant tension of emotions among all of them that worked itself out over time. John's description followed Jean's and provided an historical comparison to a previous shipwreck, long ago.

It was hard to read through the actual moment-by-moment destruction of the boat and yet the family still survived. It would be great to see a followup story about this family maybe ten years in the future.

Very good. Family disaster on their catamaran the Emerald Jane. Crash after many beaut. island visits around the world. Jane, John, Amelia,Ben, Jack, Camille. Horror, mixed with reports of good times and being saved. Crisply written with objectivity and feeling.

True stories can just as exciting as fictional ones, as this riveting tale of a family's survival at sea illustrates. John and Jean Silverwood decided that a sailing trip was just what their family needed, as a way to give their children an education in what is really important, and a way to rejuvenate themselves and their marriage. They faced challenges they never imagined, the biggest of which was the wreck of their sailing craft upon a reef. In the aftermath John's leg was nearly severed when the mast collapsed on it and the entire family is left stranded on a coral reef fighting for their survival. The first part of the book is the tale of this incredible night when the Silverwood's faced the fight of their lives, interspersed with the stories of what led them up to that point. The second part of the book switches from Jean's point of view to John's where he tells about his post-accident recovery and the story of a previous ship that wrecked on the same reef. I enjoyed the first part more than the second as there was a lot more suspense since I kept wondering how in the world the father was going to survive. Their family dynamics were easy to relate to as well, as Jean was good about not sugar coating the tough times they went through with John's alcoholism. Definitely give this one a listen for a true life, thrilling adventure and uplifting story of family togetherness.

I'm afraid I have repeatedly attempted to return to this book, but after 5 attempts, I just couldn't wade through the borderline melodrama. If you happen to like handwringing-family/couples therapy drama, then this is for you. I approached the book from the perspective of travel, the challenge and skills necessary to cope under unpredictable and dangerous weather conditions, tight quarters and group dynamics, and instead felt as though I were reading a too-long Reader's Digest article. A disaster that saves a family? I beg to differ. Although it may have shocked them into realizing they need to prioritize family relationships over whatever haunted them before, it doesn't necessarily make a good read. I didn't particularly feel like reading alcoholic recovery/codependency literature, and I'm afraid that when reading this book, with each paragraph I kept wondering two things: 1. Hm. I wonder what the children's adult perspective on this experience will be (e.g., as in the case of Doug Pray in [[Surfwise]] ) and 2. Where were the editors to keep the handwringing under control?
Still, other people seem to have found Jean Silverwood's prose "poetic" - so in respect for others' opinions and taste, I say if you enjoy this particular type of drama, you'll enjoy this book, but I'm afraid it wasn't to my taste.

California family has troubles, buys yacht, sails Tahiti, hits reef, then everything gets better. Cheaper forms of therapy are available. Not exactly a classic of adventure or yachting lore.½

The subtitle of this nonfiction book really sums up the story: A Family’s Adventure at Sea and the Disaster That Saved Them. While the centerpiece of the book is the crash of the family’s catamaran on a coral reef near Tahiti and the horrific toppling of the huge mast onto the leg of John Silverwood, Jean Silverwood, the first narrator of this two-part telling concentrates most of her reflection on the unstable moments of her marriage and how their near tragedy saved the marriage. Doubts about what the couple wants from their relationship and John’s slip from AA are more prevalent in Jean’s summary of what must have been an amazing adventure than are specific travel vignettes. She does touch on the trials of life at sea, but it is secondary to repeated marital introspection. John’s account of the story focuses on his horrible evening trapped under the mast, although his story is somewhat disjointed and fuzzy due to his terrible physical condition. It is amazing what he endured and that he survived at all. We actually learn very little about the local Tahitian family that comes to their rescue after being alerted by the authorities who have reacted to the Silverwoods’ beacon. Anyone looking for a true sailing adventure had best look elsewhere.½

John and Jean Silverwood lived with their four children in Southern California. They seemed to have it all - a beautiful home, comfortable income and lots of friends. But beneath the happy exterior, lay a family in a struggle with addiction and a search for larger meaning in life. They made a decision, which would change their lives, to set sail on the 55 foot catamaran Emerald Jane. For two years, the Silverwood family sailed the high seas, visiting remote islands, running from pirates and seeing some of the world’s most beautiful scenery and wildlife. Their adventure was full of challenges, but it forced them to grow and come together as a family. And then, near the end of the voyage on a velvety dark night, they collided with a coral reef. Black Wave is the story of their survival and how it changed them forever.

This true life adventure is narrated in two parts. In part one, Jean Silverwood describes the shipwreck that threatened their lives, and then looks back to recollect the weeks and months of their voyage. Her story is one of inner meditation - of her children and how they grew up in those two years, and of her marriage which was challenged by John’s alcoholism. She writes with a poetic style that is easy to read. She bares her soul and so the reader feels that they know her.

In part two, John Silverwood takes over the narrative. He reveals the aftermath of their voyage and parallels their story to one which happened in 1855 when a ship called Julia Ann struck the exact same coral reef and sank into the wild Pacific waters. Although the historic tale lends some perspective (and perhaps a link to our shared pasts), it changes the direction of the book to an historic rendering versus a personal family saga. I was much more captivated with Jean’s narration…perhaps because the real story here is less about the wreck and more about a family who discovered their strengths in the face of disaster.

This book is a quick read - and I enjoyed it. Although the two parts felt disconnected to me, this is a book which will entice adventurers and sailors. Filled with images of star studded skies over the vast ocean waters, Black Wave is also a book for romantics and dreamers.½

I thought this book started out great - the first chapter was absolutely riveting and I couldn't wait to find out what happened next. But ultimately, I was worn down by the strange and choppy writing style of both Jean and John Silverwood. It was not uncommon for one paragraph to contain events from the past, present (the time of the accident) and the future. That is very exhausting and confusing for the reader.½

Black Wave tells the story of a family that almost comes apart, but ultimately comes together at sea on a 55 foot catamaran. It is told through the lens of a disaster that befalls them.
I enjoyed the book. It took me some time to get used to the format which bounces back and forth between the family living through the moments of their disaster and the story of the voyage from start to that point. After a while it fell into a pattern and worked well. The main story is told from the wife's (Jean Silverwood) perspective, with a section at the end from the husbands point of view with added historical context.
There is value in reading this to understand the dynamics of family in a situation together (particularly if you sail or plan to).
What does it take to give an American child a real, working perspective on the world outside of Nintendo and Abercrombie? This is certainly one way, although I think I may stick with techniques that are a little safer.
Enjoy this quick read.

The concept of the novel- of a family at sea struggling to survive and turn their lives around- is in itself intriguing. The idea of telling the story in separate parts- written by John and Jean- is also fascinating. The prose is awkward at times, however, and lacks gravitas or narrative power that could have made it great. An intriguing story setting not developed to its full potential. Still worth a quick read.

I enjoyed this, and could barely manage to put it down. The story of the family's coping with a wreck- with flashbacks to get them into the setting is well told by Jean Silverwood and engaging. The second part, by her husband is a much lesser work, but together the two tell the story of an adventure and a family. Not a life I'd choose, but that is why we read such adventures - to live vicariously through others....½

The authorship of this book should be changed in this listing! It's by both Jean and John Silverwood, and my review was going to begin with "My intention was to rate this book a "5" until I got to John's (much shorter), very badly and annoyingly written, section at the end. The bulk of the book, written by Jean, was mesmerizing - the tragedy they survived was interwoven with the relationship difficulties they had on the trip, both with each other and with their elder son. John, a former alcoholic, began drinking again on the trip, and what I really wanted to read from him was some account of how he got to that point - but he seemed quite distanced from his feelings - and his references to being "hot" for his wife were revolting.

This book is so badly written it's shocking! The story is very interesting which is why I continued to read, but the writing is extremely disjointed. I feel like the book was written as bullet points and then published without the bullets.½

The Silverwoods took an interesting route when they decided to write their sections independently. The juxtaposition is nice but the result is that the writing lacks the collaborative effort that their journey must have been. Jean Silverwood's description of her children and their growth throughout the trip was both touching and entertaining. However, I kept waiting for her to turn the mirror on herself and share those thoughts with the reader. I found John's writing engaging but was similarly disappointed when I thought he would go deeper into what he learned from the trip. Both writers were so focused on the collective impact on their family (which is understandable) that they seemed more like omniscient 3rd person narrators instead of involved parties. Perhaps the book was just too short for this, but I would have liked to have seen more.

A thrilling sea adventure about a Californian family of six who leave their secure life on land and trade it to live on a 55-foot catamaran called the Emerald Jane. I enjoyed the book even though I have never sailed a boat before. It is a story of love, family, alcoholism, piracy, courage and, heroism. The disaster that befalls the family will make me think twice about venturing on the open ocean in a boat. It might have been helpful if a map was included in the book to help readers track the family's progress.

I had to wait until this book actually came into the bookstore. I wanted to see the pictures that always accompany these types of personal stories. I read the book twice, trying to pinpoint my feelings and opinions about the events that, indeed, appear true and as far as I can tell, accurate. I decided that this family is somewhat nuts, and the parents are to blame. Dragging their four children (two of which were very young) into a lifestyle of countless inevitable dangers. This just baffles me. Jean and John seem very proud of their accomplishments. I see them as totally blind to the fact that they purposely inflicted years of emotional turmoil (and YEARS of therapy ) for their 4 children, especially the 2 youngest. It breaks my heart. The pictures in the book proved to me that these 2 small children will have decades of emotional conflict as a result of their parents' ridiculous notions. The haunting look on their faces was the last straw for me. I cannot believe that these people were not charged with some form of child endangerment. They damn well should be. Had these accounts excluded their children, and it was two grown adults embarking on this "adventure" I would have a completely different outlook. I cannot applaud two parents who would SELFISHLY and carelessly put their own children into this lifestyle. Unforgivable. Stupid, stupid, stupid.½

Black Wave is the story of a family from San Diego sailing around the world in their catamaran. The subtitle lets you in on the upcoming drama: A Family's Adventure at Sea and the Disaster that Saved Them. It only takes five pages into the book before the disaster strikes. The boat slams into a coral reef during the night, destroying the boat and seriously wounding members of the family.

I am generally not a big fan of stories that start with the climactic scene and then flashbacks to tell the story. It just seems to be kind of tired way of bringing people into the story. In this case, I found it worked. Interweaving the family's background with disaster unfolding made you understand and empathize with the characters as they struggled to survive.

I really enjoyed Part I of the book which was this story told by Jean Silverwood. Part II of the book was written by John Silverwood and tells some of the history of the reef. He focuses on a similar disaster, when the Julia Ann crashed into the same reef in 1855. Part II far less interesting and not as engaging as Part I.

In the interest of full disclosure, the publisher send me a free copy of this book to read, hoping I would review it. I am big fan of human adventure stories. Before the kids I had a few years of mountain climbing and adventure racing. Now, with two kids, I am much more of an armchair adventurer. Maybe it the family man in me that got so engaged in a family trapped in a desperate situation.

Whatever the reason, I thought the the book was a good read. But feel free to stop at the end of Part I.

My 3rd Review.

This is a true-life thirlling adventure of a family’s time at sea.
The trek at times tears apart, isolates, and eventually binds the family together.

Experienced sailors John Silverwood and his wife, Jean take their four children from Long Island Sound to the French Polynesia aboard the "Emerald Jane"; a 55' catamaran. What is supposed to be an important life lesson learning trip for the children soon devolves into the reality that everyone has grown apart, though not yet grown up. Even the occasional bright spot when everyone is in awe of their enviroment and sights they'll never see or experience again, does not transcend the facts that the eldest of the children, both teenagers, strongly resent having to be on the trip at all, as they would rather be doing almost anything else with the friends they left on land. The entire family must take part in the responsibilities of a life at sea, which is not as easy or fun as the "Pirates Of The Caribbean" ride at Walt Disney World may lead you to believe. Add the younger childrens' fear of what is happening to the family and John & Jean's at times butting of heads, and word "stressed" just doesn't do the situation justice. And this doesn't even touch upon the real challenge they had to endure at the end, but that challenge is what brings the family together in ways none of them would have expected.

The book is writeen by both John and Jean, but not in collaboration, each take thier turn. Jean's part is rather slow and at times tedious, too drawn out to hold my attention at times. John's part was scribed more from the Alpha Male school of writing... cut-to-the-chase, action movie script wording style.

I could see this book making a fine film one day, and even though I enjoyed it very much, I do hope a professional screenwriter is hired to flesh out the characters more.