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

Overall Black Wave is a quick, good read. I love all things ocean and enjoyed reading this book. For those who aren't in love with the sea itself, the story of the Silverwood family is even more fascinating than the deep and will hold your attention, keeping you reading, to the last page.

Jean begins the narrative by sharing some simple details of what was happening aboard the Emerald Jane the night of their shipwreck but before the wreck had occurred. I expected the story to continue on this vein while getting to know the Silverwoods, but instead the coral reef interrupted the introductions as thoroughly as it had the Silverwoods' voyage. I liked the way Jean jumped right into the telling of the wreck, switched back to the story that brought them to that point, but would soon to return to the reef. The two stories are seamlessly joined through Jean's storytelling.

I was surprised by John's input in part II of the book, though I was pleased to hear from him. He added the history of the coral reef they had hit and explained some of the finer details of sailing that had brought the Emerald Jane to be on the reef instead of in deeper water. Part II sometimes had the feeling of having been added as an afterthought, but John's perspective on the trip was important to a more thorough understanding of the family's journey at sea as well as their personal one.

I was already aware of the Silverwood's dream/adventure/tragedy/trimuph from reading the articles in the San Diego newspaper, but I wanted more. This book delivers! It provides so much more depth, details, and understanding regarding this courageous family's course of events on the Emerald Jane. You get to know all the family members, experience the beautiful ports of call, race against pirates with them, explore the underwater world, feel the despair they felt when the ship went aground, and finally struggle with them for their survival. Additionally, you get to learn of the erie similarities between what they experienced and that of another ship and their crew some 150 years earlier. My only regret with this book is that it is such a quick and engrossing read that you are at the end of the book before you ready. I'm sure so much more could have been written, but what they give you is a great read. I can't wait for a movie version!

I see John Silverwood, forever rooted to a magical moment in time; forever sailing beneath the canopy of a billion stars, forever the ancient mariner under the glorious banner of Heaven. This story takes the reader on a thrilling trip away from the 21st century, and eventually to the very outer limits of courage and nerve. The Silverwoods craft an emotional tale of real life adventure and transformation, almost beyond the limit of physical endurance. At once, equal parts historical drama, a real world study of the modern American family, and breath-taking, high seas adventure. This seemless narrative, easily transports the reader out into a warm Polynesian wind under the endless blanket of the Milky Way; a classic story alternating between the peaceful tranquility of island life, and heart-in-the-throat suspense.

I loved this book and couldn't put it down.
I admire those who think outside the box, and love that their dream was important enough to them to see it through!
They new this is what they wanted to do.....and they did it.
Makes one stop and think about the dreams for their own family.
This could be a great movie!!!

Now whether it is true or not, the character I would really like to hear from is the Silverwood's younger son. I hope his parents will encourage him to talk into a recorder or write it down now so that when he is a bit older he can give us what may be the deepest understanding of all six of them. And I am dying to know where he will go as his life moves on. I also didn't feel the marriage problems as explained frequently by the Mrs. were really resolved by her husband. He drags in a story of a similar wreck from 150 years ago and gives very little of himself to the reader.

But do buy it and enjoy yourself and I think you will see what I did: the first part is a movie script in the making and the second part should have been used to fill in more blanks that go unanswered. Why was Ben a difficult kid and their daughter seems lovely but her mother almost makes her into a valley girl at points and I don't think that is fair. But Jack will make you want to kick off your shoes and run to the nearest patch of un-concreted earth to explore as he did the tiny beauty of the huge whole.