Ships from: high point, NC
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Hester Rumberg is an experienced ocean sailor, with thousands of nautical miles under her belt. When the tragedy befell the crew of the Melinda Lee, together with Judith Sleavin, she established The Sleavin Family Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting maritime safety throughout the world.
In her other life, Dr. Rumberg is a board-certified oral and maxillofacial radiologist. Hester was, and will always be, the godmother of Annie Rose Sleavin.
Anonymous
Posted December 12, 2007
Like 'The Perfect Storm' or 'Into Thin Air', this book not only allows the reader to be an eyewitness to a horrific disaster, but also creates a vivid and personal portrait of a family that followed their dream to live life to the fullest. An incredible story, I could not put this book down.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted December 9, 2007
'Ten Degrees of Reckoning' grabs you from page 1. It is a captivating narrative about the Sleavin family a story of adventure, love, loss and determination. Author Hester Rumberg artfully conveys the pleasures of long distance sailing as well as the hard work and preparation that goes into it. She gives just enough information so non-sailors can understand what is happening. But the book is much more than a sailing adventure. It is about how we choose to live our lives.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted December 10, 2007
Dr. Rumberg is a wonderful storyteller and this is truly a story that needs to be told. In her own words, using her own story and that of another's, Dr. Rumberg educates even the most novice of sailors to the potential joys and deep sorrows of circumnavigating the world.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 The main story centers around an American family who set off on a five-year excursion around the world. In the middle of the night, off the coast of New Zealand, tragedy strikes deeply, lives are lost, and the lone survivor descends into hell for many days.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Yet this is a story of love and redemption, including: a small, deeply protective community half way around the world, a country unwilling to admit culpability, and a strong woman who will not let the world forget her tragedy .
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 This amazing story has been told with grace and perceptiveness. Bravo, Dr. Rumberg!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted November 16, 2007
This book is so captivating I read it page by page throughout the night. My eyes were burning with tears, but I couldn't stop reading. The author has told a masterful saga of family love, living intentionally, and how to struggle with the uphill battles of our lives. This is more than a book, this is a tribute to 4 people who's story you should know. Thanks to the author for this gift. She must have crafted the book out of her own familiarity with life's turnings and an uncommon insight into the hearts of others.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.PedroWA
Posted July 16, 2011
The structure of this true story reminds me of a well-known fictional tale, Moby Dick, in its masterful weaving of actual facts, personal background, and the type of exposition needed by non-sailors to understand what befell the Slavin family off the coast of New Zealand, and the aftermath. Part moving tribute, part detective story, it is told in a warm, clear style, with impeccable attention to accuracy. The author was moved to write this book from her heart. Among her gifts was her ability to tell a story within a story yet never lose track of where she was in the telling, reflected in this book's organization. Hester included herself in just enough to be factual but always kept her focus on the main characters and events. This is a sad but compelling story, and I would guess that few who start it will fail to finish it.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.USMC_WIFEY
Posted January 1, 2011
i stayed up far too late finishing this because i just couldn't put it down! it's the true story of a woman who loses her husband and both her kids in one night and her struggle and will to continue with the new life she's forced into. i rarely cry while reading and only if it's a true story, but this book had me crying and praying for her continued strength, as her struggle will never truly end. as a wife and mother, i can't imagine the pain of losing my whole family and i admire her will to keep on living and still find joy in life. this book is very sad, but also inspiring. i would recommend it to anyone. the topics of love, loss and survival are universal. i know nothing of sailing, but that had little to do with the underlying theme of hope. it's a great book! read it! i'm most certain you won't regret it!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted February 20, 2008
The story of a courageous woman told by a close friend. Hester captures the essence of a family willing to step outside the confines of 'normal life' to explore and discover the world. She manages to keep the reader interested in the world of sailing with her own experiences and those of the Sleavin family. To have related the horrific story which followed must have been so hard for Hester, but hopefully it has helped Judy in her recovery. The sensitive, kind, and sometimes humerous anecdotes help the reader through an otherwise sad and unbelievable tale of love and courage.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted December 29, 2007
This superb book succeeds on at least three levels. As an expository work, it plumbs the deep, rich traditions of works by Michener, or more recently, 'A Perfect Storm'. I felt supremely entertained, even as I learned a great deal about offshore sailing. It also tells a gripping story, and it draws us into the life of a family and its individual members. I cared deeply about these people, as the author presented them to me through a variety of 'lenses.' You likely would not be reading my words unless you are a lover of books. As such, you no doubt have experienced the bittersweetness of a story's end.....you want to know how it comes out, but at the same time you don't want to turn that last page. This is one of those stories. Readers seeking 'magical justice,' where all is resolved fairly and neatly, will be disappointed. This is part of the poignance of Dr. Rumberg's effort. I have sent copies of this book to friends, and I am recommending it to all the booklovers I know. Finishing 'Ten Degrees of Reckoning' was an exquisite ending to a year of fine reading, and I hope you will consider starting out on the right 'literary foot' for 2008 by discovering the treasures within these pages.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted December 4, 2007
Hester Rumberg tells the remarkable story of the adventurous Sleavin family. This extraordinary book will appeal to a wide range of readers, those looking for suspense or travel or inspiration. This book will hold your attention to the last page. An absolute page turner and without question, the author, in my opinion, is a very talented story teller. Because of the subject matter, I wondered if it would be difficult to read, but it was impossible to put down. Another thing I might add: I grew up in New Zealand where a portion of this story takes place. The author has captured the culture of my birth country exceedingly well, and added an informative element, even for me. I would highly recommend this mesmerizing book. Peter Niland
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted December 13, 2007
This book simultaneously moves, inspires, and really informs the reader. Different aspects of the story (the cruising lifestyle, travel, cultural details, mystery, legal/justice regulations, psychology, relationships) are artfully woven together by the author to create a book that flows very well and will appeal to a wide audience, despite the sad undercurrents. The book makes me want to sail, see the world (especially NZ), and live life fully like the Sleavins.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted December 10, 2007
I have just finished Ten Degrees of Reckoning and found it wonderful, harrowing, uplifting, educational and, by all standards, a ¿good read.¿ Hester Rumberg draws you into the Sleavin family so thoroughly that their tragedy becomes palpable and you long for some way to make things right! It¿s hard to put down and will stay with you long after you finish.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.
Overview
It takes courage, commitment, passion, and patience to embrace life fully. The Sleavin family, two adults and their two children, possessed those qualities, and realized their dream to sail around the world in their 47-foot boat, the Melinda Lee. They experienced indescribable beauty, rewarding challenges, deep ...