Book description
'If you fall far enough, it's hard to know when you hit bottom. The air
gets sucked out of you on the way down.' This is the inspirational story
of an incredibly determined sailor refusing to give up his dream in the
face of massive odds. Just as he and his family had decided to sail a
circuit of the Atlantic for a year, John is struck down with heart
failure. Devastated that his plans are thwarted, he endures seven
operations in eight months as procedure after procedure fails. Finally,
he has to endure open heart surgery - and immediately makes plans for
his 'trip'. Narrated with present-tense immediacy, this is John's
account of drowning in heart disease, fighting back to the surface and
sailing on. It begins with him flat on his back in a local health club,
gasping for air. It ends 31 months and 4,000 miles later as he and his
family sail their boat into Schull Harbour, Ireland. Funny, tragic,
uplifting, moving and humorous - it will speak not only to timid
sailors, wondering if they are brave enough to take that big step
(whatever 'big' is in their own terms) but also to anyone facing immense
difficulties, setbacks and even life-threatening danger in their
non-sailing lives. It is an inspirational story with a message for
everyone. John Otterbacher self-published in the USA, where the book was
a finalist in the Best Book Award by USA Book News and won an Indie
Award for Best New Non-Fiction Book of the Year. 'Inspiring - couldn't
put it down.' Pete Goss When John Otterbacher talks about 'living
beyond your fears' he's speaking from experience. Paying for his
education via factory and construction jobs, he qualified as a clinical
psychologist, set up his own practice, and then became a firebrand
senator campaigning on health issues. He and his wife took up sailing in
the 1980s, taking a 15 month cruise to the Mediterranean and Caribbean.
He is now a sought-after speaker.
