GRAVEYARD OF THE PACIFIC Shipwreck and Survival on America's Deadliest Waterway

If listeners are initially disoriented by this audio, it's because the title is deceptive: It's as much a memoir as it is maritime history. This split personality is emphasized by the narration of Lynch Travis, who is much more comfortable with the personal elements of the story. Author Sullivan and a friend embark in a kayak on a perilous journey over the Columbia River Bar, which becomes a metaphor for the struggles they both faced living with abusive fathers. Travis recounts these reflections with emotion and warmth, giving them real power. However, his slow pace and occasional stumbles are less convincing in the well-researched sections that chronicle the region's history as a swallower of ships and sailors. D.B. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine [Published: SEPTEMBER 2023]