Outrageous Grace: Taking the Long Way Home

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.

'Inspiring - couldn't put it down.' Pete Goss 'It is a great book, hard to put down and beautifully weaved together. Quite inspiring!!' Mark J Orr- Multihull Magazine ' Funny, tragic, uplifting, moving and humorous an inspirational story that is extremely well written and a real page-turner ' All at Sea (July 2009) ' A fascinating and intelligent evocation of sailing's knack of reinvigorating lust for life ' Yachting World (August 2009) "It is a beautifully written book that is ideal for your summer holiday!" Multihull Review (July 2009)