The story received major play in the media because of the two NFL players involved. I remember reading about it at the time it was happening, so when my mother-in-law brought me the book, I was really interested in reading what happened out in the middle of the Gulf.
Having never been out in the Gulf or on the ocean, it was hard for me to believe that the stranded boaters couldn't be found when I was reading about the search as it happened. I just thought it was a simple matter of flying over the water and looking for a boat. Even if it were upside down, I figured they would probably find it. That was very much not the case. I didn't know how waves moved across the open water. I've seen them crash into the shore, but that was it. The descriptions in the book were really clear as to why it was so difficult to find them.
This book is sad. It deals with the death of three friends. But it is also inspiring. Nick Schuyler survived. He admits that he wouldn't have survived without his friends. He was also very lucky. And he was determined. Through these circumstances, he survived to tell the story. Without him, we would have never known what happened on that boat. Even with his survival, there are some out there that are questioning his story. He knows the truth. If he didn't tell it in this book (which I doubt. For some reason, I find it very believable. And I see no reason for him to lie from what I've read.), then he will have to live with that.
Overall, the book was a good read, lots of ups and downs emotionally.