Black Wave: A Family's Adventure at Sea and the Disaster That Saved Them

I loved this book...read it in 2 days! I loved Jean's descriptions, they were so real that I felt I was there on the boat with them, exploring the islands as well as sharing their seasickness! What a great adventure and learning experience for their children. Yes, they got in trouble towards the end of their journey, but as John says in the book, you don't live until you really LIVE! This is a book not to miss!

This book is a gem! Gripping acounts told my both Jean and John introduce you to each of their children on such an intimate level and bring you along on their journey. I felt like I was with them throughout the book and I hope people around the world will appreciate this incredible story of strength, faith, and love.

The authors present the story of adventure and crises in an honest and compelling fashion. The identity of each of the family members is written so as to provide an asymmetrical perspective of their joy, hardships, and terror while on the journey. The back story of the family is woven into the narrative in a way that facilitates seamless transitions between the voyage and situations throughout their lives. The external threats--to include open sea thugs and uncharted reefs--create the conditions for an epic tale that ultimately leads to the renewal of a family's relationship with each other and with God. For anyone who loves a great adventure story that is well-told, this book is a must read.

An epic story of hopes, dreams, and the nightmare of survival when things go bad that cannot be forgotten. The device of seeing events through Jeanne then John's eyes forces you to realize athough it's a story of a family, each is an individual with their own vision. All of us dream (I suspect) of chucking all the things we feel we cannot exist without and that trap us in our formatted existences, but this family did it all, and like a phoenix burning in the flames rose and were reborn, stronger and with more behind them than they can imagine.
The description of this family's trials bring to mind the old commercials listing one by one the cost for specific items, then describing a certain unique experience as "priceless". Every moment described, the good, the bad, the losses, and the miracles of survival fit that category "priceless".
Cheers!! for the Silverwood family for taking the jump, surviving and for letting us live through their eyes the candid tale of their amazing real-life adventures. This book is a vividly described experience. It forces me to relook at what is possible to do with life, if you just decide to do it.
A Movie, I'll buy tickets now!

I found the writing vivid and at times poetic. The contrast of writing style and perspective between Jean and John contributes to the reader's imagery and understanding. I enjoyed reading about each new port and island along the way. The candid impressions and experiences of each family member to the different locales added to the richness of the story. Cudos to the family for surviving and staying together through it all. Great summer read!