Ten Degrees of Reckoning: The True Story of a Family's Love and the Will to Survive

The basic story is riveting, but I did not enjoy the writing at all.

The gist: Woman loses her family in a shipwreck, but she beats amazing odds to survive.

It was written by a radiologist and boy can you tell. At times, I thought it was endearing to hear the story through a friend's voice, but ultimately we got less close to the subject because of it. She dwelled on meaningless details and flew past (or omitted all together) meaningful ones.

Normally I'd shrug my shoulders, but I got increasingly annoyed because what happened was so amazing, and I felt like I was missing out on such a great story because she wasn't telling it well. This could have been an amazing nonfiction narrative. I actually stopped reading and rewrote one scene that had a lot of decent-but-poorly-used details, just because it hurt to read.

My breaking point: When the author started blathering about where she was on 9/11. I would have saved my breaking point if I knew a short bit later she'd write about writing the book. Every time the author injected herself into the story, it was absolutely terrible. It never showed her passion or emotion toward the situation, which is the only thing I might have cared about from her.

All in all, I'm still glad I read it because what happened to the main character was so crazy. However, I wish someone else had written this book.

Reading 10 degrees of reckoning was both engrossing and instructive. It was not exactly fun but I felt I owed it the the author and myself to finish the book. First of all I learned a great deal about sailing on the high seas with essentally a two person crew. I sailed small boats when I was younger and I marveled in reading about the competence of the Slavin family in traversing open ocean with 6 meter swells and 40+ knot winds. I would have been terrified. especially with small children. I was amazed at the precautions the Slavins employed to ensure the safety of their two young children. You would have to be a special type of person to embark upon such an adventure that requires prodigeous amounts of patience, preparedness and courage.
I also learned a great deal about some of the aspects of maritime law and how, I as a jobless retiree might be adversely impacted by a nautical mishap.
Unlike some others, I had no complaints about the writing style of the author. I'm not so busy as to be annoyed by little side trips. After all, I'm reading about a great adventure as told by someone who knew a lot about what it must have been like to have been there. A story not soon to be forgotten.

My husband and I were at a sailboat show last weekend, and we met the author - Hester Rumberg. We casually discussed her book, and frankly, mostly because it was on the Kindle (which is how we read most of our books), and to support a sailboat show vendor, we bought the book. I'm a huge reader - and very picky. Shame on me, but the truth it, I didn't really expect to be impressed. I thought if there was a great sailing book out there, I would have read it.

Boy was I wrong.

Without giving away too much about the book or the author (because that relationship is a key piece of what makes this book work), the writing is good. The subject is engrossing. There are few 'stops' in the book - it flows easily from one element to the next. It is overwhelmingly sad at points, full of hope at others. I laughed, I cried, I was moved.

I find myself replaying parts of this book over and over. I am drawn to the subject, and now I want to learn more about international maritime law. Isn't that the hallmark of a great book? I am so lucky to have stumbled upon this great author and book. Definitely a great read.

This book had me in tears the majority of the time. It was really well written and I think raises awareness about things that most people have no idea about. I really did like this book.

First off, I thought this was a good book and an interesting read of a tragic story, but if you read about 1/2 way and then put it down you would have the meat of the story without the redundant patches of how neglectful and criminal the actions of the crew & the company that operated the ship were. That seemed to be a recurring theme, and allthough completely true, repeating it over and over doesn't give it more validility.
Also, does anyone else have a problem with Judy's legal council? If this person was such a good maritime lawyer, why wasn't she warned that since the collision happened in international waters US law would more or less prohibit her from collecting punitive damages?

I knew Mike Sleavin and found it truly heart wrenching to read about his final moments. This is a must read for everybody. It was hard to put the book down each night. My prayers go to Judy who must still be mourning and haunted each and every day. I'm so sorry for your loss as in the short time that I knew Mike, he was a very special boss.

This is a quick and sobering read. Very compelling. A little wordy on some of the facts of New Zealand and sailing but an amazing story.

This book is a true, incredible story of endurance, courage , determination-reminds me of Ernest Shackleton's adventure to the Antartica. It is a testament to the courage of the wife & mother of two young adults and the kindness of the New Zealand people. While reading this book,i could not stop muttering " OMG, OMG as I could not believe as it unfolded. I will never forget & it is a book on my best top 10 books I've read in my life and one book I will never forget.

Although heart wrenching i enjoyed and was uplifted by the mother's faith and fortitude Wow. What a life-changing trip for her. I did wonder why they took children on that long of a voyage when they were so little

This was a GREAT book. Cannot believe what they went thru and the courage she has. Read it a long time ago, but it stays in my memory!