Item Details
Sign up

Seven at Sea

Book
1
Ratings1
Reviews0
Followers0
Q's
Seven at Sea
Seven at Sea
Highlights Images Videos
7.0
Images (0)

This item doesn’t have any images yet.

Add New Image
Videos (1) View All Videos >
Introduction - read by Erik Orton
Uploaded by Erik Orton
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Seven at Sea

2019 | Biography | Fiction & Poetry | Travel

A New York City family's remarkable story of how they gave up their urban life, packed up their family of seven, and braved the difficult conditions of the Atlantic Ocean as they sailed more than 2,500 from New York to and around the Caribbean.

They thought of all the reasons why risking everything for a year at sea was a bad idea: they could go broke, get injured, be stranded at sea--maybe even die. More than likely, the only thing they would accomplish would be to embarrass themselves. Besides, only rich people sailed the world, right?

After all the deliberations, one thing was clear: their children would either be an excuse or a reason. They chose to set sail.

Seven at Sea tells the story of a family learning to live together, simply and in harmony with the natural world. In doing so, they learned that giving up control can sometimes lead to amazing adventures. More importantly, they discovered how little they actually needed to be abundantly happy.

Related Items:
No related items currently exists - add one now
Erik and Emily Orton
Published by Shadow Mountain
Edition Hardcover
ISBN 9781629725512
Language English

Main Image Courtesy: google.
Images And Data Courtesy Of: Shadow Mountain.
This content (including text, images, videos and other media) is published and used in accordance with Fair Use.

Added By

Becs

Added this item on Jul 29, 2019

Changelog > Edited By
Seven at Sea Reviews & Ratings (1)
9-10
0.0% (0)
7-8
100.0% (1)
5-6
0.0% (0)
3-4
0.0% (0)
1-2
0.0% (0)
Sorting

Post Type

Hidden Post

Archived Post

Seven at Sea reviews from people you don't follow
40x40

Becs (244 KP) rated

Jul 29, 2019  
Seven at Sea
Seven at Sea
Erik and Emily Orton | 2019 | Biography, Fiction & Poetry, Travel
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating Watch
Captivating memoir on taking risks
TRIGGER WARNINGS: mild swearing and peril

**Possible spoilers ahead**

Working a temp job night shift in a cubicle in Manhattan to help provide for his wife and their five children, the youngest with Down Syndrome, Erik Orton knew something had to change. Watching the sailboats on the Hudson River during his breaks, he dared to dream, and craved a life that was full of more than just surviving day to day. Despite having no sailing experience, his wife Emily’s phobia of deep water, and already being financially stretched, the family of seven turned their excuses into reasons and their fears into motivation as they set off on a voyage that ultimately took them 5,000 miles from New York to the Caribbean and back. Their journey that included plenty of learning and adventure, showed them the value of doing things their own way, and most importantly gave them time together as a family before their oldest daughter left for college.

And while this memoir is incredibly inspiring, and the Ortons did certainly gain a lot from sailing with their family for a year, the takeaway of Seven at Sea is not that all of us should quit our jobs and buy sailboats. The book serves as an encouraging reminder that our lives can be what we make them regardless of what society dictates. Many of us, especially parents, tend to fell stuck in our circumstances. The Ortons show us that on a large or small scale, we can imagine more boldly than we usually allow for and dare to dream of a life that doesn’t look anything like the one we have now – and still manage to be great parents, spouses, and members of society.

I am generally not taken with memoirs as they never capture my attention, but this was so good! I was captivated and enthralled from the get go. The narration was told in both Erik and Emily’s point of view. That added a fun and interesting appeal to this novel.

One thing I loved while reading was how the highs and the lows of taking such a risk like this were included. Erik and Emily keep it authentic, unique, and honest. It was really well-written and has as much adventure as an action novel! The one thing worth noting that I had a problem with, was that it was a slow read. It took a bit more time and motivation to read, but this adventure story made up for it. Emily’s insight helped round out Erik’s insight. She was the glue that held everything together, while Erik was the lumber. This memoir tells a story of risks and going the road less traveled by. Seven at Sea teaches the reader that the journey is the destination and that relationships are the most important things we have, that we should always strive to strengthen and refine them.

Most people can’t take the risk of just up and leaving their current situation like Erik and Emily did with their five children. Seven at Sea reminds us that our lives are what we make of them and that we should all have the courage to seek our dream lives whatever they may be.
(1)   
40x40

Erik Orton (2 KP) created a video

Aug 3, 2019 (Updated Aug 3, 2019)  
Video

Introduction - read by Erik Orton

Seven at Sea was named the top travel read in The New York Times summer 2019 Book Review. I thought it'd be fun to read you the introduction.