COMMENTS/CONTACT
I was entertained, educated, impressed; what more is there to ask for from a book? Did a little river trip myself once, and rekindled a lot of memories from that part of yours. Thanks for sharing your experience. R.B.
Hi Warren. Super book. I'm a travel book fan and a kayaker. I love books that show some change in the protagonist. Dislike the Tuesday-this-should-be-Petersburg style. Yours showed change. Love how you... came out a much better person than the guy who started the race. Frank
I loved your book and humorous writing style. Read it in almost one sitting. Have you got another book in you?
(REPLY: I'm working on it.)
I just finished "Without a Paddle" and wanted to thank you for taking me along with you on that remarkable journey of kayak and heart. This belongs right up there with William Least Heat Moon's "Blue Highways," Howell Raines's "Fly Fishing Through the Midlife Crisis," and "Into the Great Solitude," by Robert Perkins. P.S.
Amazing accomplishment. What boat did you use? Were you to race again would you choose the same or another with different attributes/dimensions? I am planning just a 3 to 4 month leisurely trip around the peninsula following the Saltwater Paddling Trail and I am searching for the "right" choice for these older, more rickety knee and back joints since long distance hiking is no longer an option. J. H.
(REPLY: I used a Current Designs Solstice GT sea kayak. If I was to enter the race again I'd probably use the same boat -- partly for economic reasons but also having done the trip I could avoid mistakes and press the advantage of a narrow, relatively light boat. I would also consider using a Kruger expedition canoe, perhaps with a sail. The seat is higher and much kinder to the knees and back -- particularly on long trips. Three to four months around Florida in a small boat sounds pretty good to me. Can I come?)
I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed your book... particularly the anecdotes of life... made me smile a lot. R.F.
I returned home last night from a business trip to find your book had arrived. I am halfway through it already. What an amazing and brilliantly written story. Well done Warren.
I just finished reading your book. I don't take the time to read books very often, but I could not put it down. I kept telling myself, "just one more section," and I kept reading many more sections. I am awed and humbled by your feat. Totally impressive. L.B.
That was fun. Haven't read a book that fast in a good long ways... Lake Michigan sees my kayak on occasion and this narrative has me contemplating my own explorations of geography and soul. Divorce is a journey I've shared, and your book made me grimace often at parenting trials and got me a little misty-eyed at times. Thank you. J.R.
Just wanted to let you know I enjoyed your book so much that I bought it twice. I left my first one, half read, on a plane. So I bought it a second time... and read it all the way through. I laughed every few minutes, and enjoyed it every second.
I recently bought a copy of your memoir and simply couldn't put it down. I am not what you'd call an avid reader unless it is something that can really hold my attention -- but this did! I devoured it in about 4 days. What a story! Thank you so much for sharing it with the world.
Like many others who commented, I truly enjoyed this book. Thank you for giving us an awesome book about Florida and the will to endure through to the end. As a Florida resident, I am familiar with so many areas you mention with detail. Our own camping trip down the Suwannee doesn't compare but certainly adds interest to your narrative. I admire your grit, determination, and your beautiful slim boat. -- an adventure-loving 81 year old.
Wow. I could relate to so many passages in the book! It made me laugh, it made me cry. I want to share it with as many people as I can. I marked so many pages though it might be hard for others to read my copy. Thanks. -- a divorced dedicated paddler.
Threw this book in the trash after 200 pages. Insipid writing style. The author can't seem to craft an original phrase or construct anything but a simple sentence. He magnifies the 'dangers' of this trip to the extreme. No doubt it was a tough trek, but this dude is a total pussy.
Just finished reading the book and loved it! We happen to be in Florida, and many of the places mentioned were so familiar. What a journey. I could hardly put it down. I'll recommend it to my book club. B.S.
I bought your book today. I quite literally found it by accident in the biography section at the bookstore. It seems like it should have been in the Florida section (I would have bought it sooner). Anyway, I am on page 8 and can tell that I am going to enjoy this book. My life circumstances are not dissimilar from yours and I have been paddling all my life. I just finished explaining why I keep my solo canoe in my dining room to a new girlfriend. I do think that you can tell a lot about a guy by the way that he takes care of his boat. Good luck to you. Ed
Just finished "Without a Paddle" late last night and I must say I was paddling with you all the way. I started reading your book about two weeks ago and spent every night, when tasks were done for the day, paddling around Florida with you. What an amazing experience! N.C.
Really enjoyed the book and the writing style and have passed the book along. It has inspired me to explore more with my new kayak in our local FL waterways!! Thank you for writing and sharing your life adventures!! N.P.
Bought a copy, read it, and enjoyed it very much! L.G.
Just finished Without a Paddle -- could not put it down. My kayak club has paddled many of the areas you passed through. Have not had so many laughs reading a book in a long time. Although I don't plan to do a race, it makes me appreciate all the beautiful sights I'm able to see from the water. Looking forward to hearing about the 2012 race. L.S.
Wow.
I finished the book last night, but it might be a few days before I can step away from it enough to write a proper review.
Wow.
Read it.
Paddle or die, indeed. S.B.M.
I want to thank you for sharing your heart, your soul and your love for life and for Linda, and for your son. I feel extremely privileged to have been able to join you on such a wonderful, beautiful journey. K.G.
We are kayakers from [South Carolina]. Absolutely loved your book for sooo many reasons. I read it in one day -- could not put it down. Thank you for sharing your experiences. Please write more!
I wanted you to know how much I enjoyed your book. It is so well written and I am amazed at your knowledge of the area and of kayaking, etc. Thank you for sharing a wonderful adventure. D.P.
Just a short note to let you know we finished your book. WE LOVED IT!! I could not put it down. I will give it to my neighbor who is in charge of our book club. L.C.
What a wonderful story of endurance -- physical, mental and emotional. One of my favorite lines: "I should have seen it coming." (I know what that feels like.) L.B.
I bought and read your book. Thanks for taking the effort and time to write it. I gained a new appreciation for the perseverance needed by ordinary folks to accomplish great things. If it was easy, armchair sailors like me would be doing it. W.B.
I just finished your fantastic book. Do you have any plans to appear on the West Coast? San Diego would be great! Sincerely, E.
Just wanted you to know that i bought your book yesterday in annapolis for my husband, (the biker across the country and he also kayaks bout every day)...anyway he had to work today , so i asked him if i could read his new book...'without a paddle' and he said sure, but you might not like it...i just finished it and it was GREAT! thanks for answering my silly questions and signing the book...paddle or die. J.M.
thanks sharkchow for an engaging and refreshing page turner. i read my copy to an ensconsed dog yard full of 70. howls broke out from time to time. anyone passing through entry point #32 on the s. kawishiwi river en route to the BWCA should stop in and read "without a paddle" to these dogs. a great read with many of my paddling heroes in it to boot. gk
Hello Warren. I've just moments ago finished reading "Without A Paddle." I loved it! It is a beautiful love story, the unvarnished perils and glories of the challenge, and much more. I was moved by your authenticity. Thanks for sharing yourself with us. B.A.
The book is breathtaking... how the story lines fit is inspired. required reading for fathers day. best part: linda and the boot...break my heart. G.C.
Warren's words speak to the 21st century male and father, his drive, desires & disappointments - and answers the question: Where does he find his center? The book provides some good answers alongside an exciting adventure & a happy ending. I really liked the book.
Awesome..........Awesome! Plus all the other stuff Mrs. Wengren's first grade class said. Awesome! M.C.
Fascinating reading. That trip took real courage. Thanks to Warren for sharing his physical and mental challenges along the way.
What an inspiration to us all. S.S.
Amazon delivered my pre-order on 6/9. Read the first 126 pages right after dinner. It is a great story that is well told. Highly recommend it. M.
I'm only half way through it, and I might be a little biased, but this might be the best report of a paddling adventure ever. Sharkchow has captured perfectly the ongoing struggle between the illusion of fear in our minds and the reality of our human quest to overcome it. Thanks Warren for opening up the most personal aspects of your life to us! Your story has added a new level to this life changing adventure we simply call a "Challenge". I can't wait to see the movie! M.C.
What can I possibly say that does justice to this book? It was a great read. I laughed and smiled throughout, page by page. I sat and thought about certain passages that made me reflect on my life. Sharkchow captured the essence of a WaterTribe challenge and the essence of life. The really nice thing about Without a Paddle is the title. You don't need to be a paddler or sailor to really enjoy this book. Without a Paddle is a gift to all of us. Thank you. S.I.
I am heading to Europe the end of this week for a cruise (no paddling required), so I purchased and downloaded the Kindle version onto my iPhone last night. Worried that "Without a Paddle" would not hold my interest on the flight, I "opened" the book last night..... That was not prudent.... I could not put it down and have already finished reading it!
There are many things that go on inside the cockpit during a 1200 mile race, some are race issues (camping, eating, etc) but many are not. The book touches on all the issues- including the myriad of emotions and sometimes truly odd thoughts that go through one’s mind. For those who want a good feeling of what it is like to be in a 1200 mile event, "Without a Paddle" captures that and much more.
Great read! Thanks for taking the time to write it and share part of your on and off the water experiences. S.B.G.
Thank you Sharkchow for a great book! I will be recommending it to all of my paddling friends as well as those who don't paddle. It made me laugh and it brought tears to my eyes. N.N.
DROP ME A LINE
WITHOUT A PADDLE
By Warren Richey
Questions, comments, criticism, praise -- feel free to send an email to Richeyw@hotmail.com or write a message in the box below.
Publisher:
St. Martin's Press
ISBN: 978-0-312-63076-8
Literary Agent:
Janet Reid
FinePrint Literary Management
New York, NY
Janet@fineprintlit.com
