Stop Drifiting, Start Rowing: A Review

As a blogger for Hay House Publishing, I get the opportunity to review books in their catalogue, and most recently I chose the book Stop Drifting, Start Rowing by Roz Savage.

In 2007, Roz Savage set out to row 8,000 miles across the Pacific Ocean-alone. Despite having successfully rowed across the Atlantic the previous year, the Pacific presented the former office worker with unprecedented challenges and overpowering currents-both in the ocean water and within herself.

Crossing Earth’s largest ocean alone might seem a long way removed from everyday life, yet the lessons Roz learned about the inner journey, the ocean, and the world are relevant to all of us. She shares tales of the ups and downs of her voyage across the waves, while offering insights on how to find happiness through a meaningful and rewarding life.

Once again I was excited when I discovered the author was a blogger, and became much more interested in the book when I found out she had blogged her way across the Pacific as she went.  I really wish I had know about her blog as she was making her voyage, it would have been exciting to watch and read about her trip as it happened!  I know without a doubt that unless something horrible happens requiring it, I will never attempt to make a voyage across the ocean by boat (row, sail, or otherwise) so it would have been fun for me to follow along on an adventure I am very unlikely to ever make myself.  Anyway, I didn’t know about her or her blog when she was making any of her voyages, but through her book I feel as though I was still able to ride along without ever leaving the comfort of my home.

Make no mistake, this book is more than just a chronicle of her trip from San Francisco to New Guinea, it’s also a story of environmental awareness, personal struggle and finding your own happiness in life.  While not a vocal activist or environmentalist, I am very conscience of my impact on the earth and try to live a life that reflects that.  One of my goals for 2014 is to reduce consumption, specifically of resources, and that is a goal I had decided on prior to reading this book, but it certainly reinforced in my mind the need for such measures.  The thought of all of the loss of life occurring in the oceans from plastic and garbage sickens me, but makes me proud to live in an area where we are avid recyclers (seriously, you almost need a university degree to take out the garbage around here), but I know there is so much more that needs to be done.

I think this book is great for a wide range of people, those who enjoy adventure books (because rowing across the Pacific ocean alone is certainly an adventure!), environmentalists, and anyone interested in living a more meaningful life.

You can purchase your own copy of Stop Drifting, Start Rowing on Amazon in both hard copy and Kindle editions.

I was not financially compensated for this post. I received the book from Hay House for review purposes. The opinions are completely my own based on my experience.