Reviewed by Anne Boling for Readers' Favorite

The fifty-seven passengers and six crewmembers of ALM Flight 980 departed JFK International Airport for St. Marten, never expecting to be fighting for their lives a few hours later. The pilot could not warn the passengers of problems, because the PA system did not work. The plane was not properly fitting with the extra fuel tank that had been recommended. The weather prevented a timely landing at their destination. These events and others contributed to the loss of twenty-three souls. When the plane ran out of fuel, the pilots had no choice but to ditch the plan in open-waters. The injured passengers watched their plane sink in the shark-infested waters. The courageous passengers assisted each other until help arrived. The Coast Guard, Navy, and Marines worked together to save forty people.

35 Miles From Shore is the retelling of the events that led up to the ditching of ALM Flight 980, Mary 2, 1970. Emillio Corsetti II has thoroughly researched the ill-fated flight. Too often, the retelling of such events sounds dry and lacks that certain something that makes the characters real. The narrative moves along quickly, taking the reader through the events before takeoff through the rescue. Corsetti did not stop there; he discussed the horrendous medical care offered to the survivors, the investigation, and the lawsuits that ensued. There is a Crew and Passenger list along with a seating diagram at the beginning of the book. 35 Miles From Shore is technical enough for those with flight knowledge and written simple enough for all readers.