Book Reviews...Find Out What Others Are Saying About Manning Up In Alaska

Manning Up In Alaska by Dick Drechsler
Midwest Book Review
Sandra's Bookshelf
By Sandra Heptinstall

On February 18, 2005, Dick Drechsler went to the doctor as he was not feeling well and thought he had a sinus infection. He was not prepared for what the doctor had to say. He was told he had stage three neck and throat cancer. That he had four to six months left to live. His cancer appeared to be advanced and there was no hope.

Little did the doctors know of the tenacity of Mr.Drechsler. He went through extensive surgery that lasted nine hours. When he awoke he was given a glimmer of good news. Yes, the cancer was massive, it had involved forty of forty-eight lymph nodes in his neck, his left tonsil, and much of his neck and throat tissue, but the surgeon thought he'd gotten it all. He was told the cancer probably started in his left tonsil.

I am not going to dwell on all of the medical issues he faced, because the author does not want that. So you will just have to read it yourself in his book. All that I can say is he has "True Grit."

He calls himself just an average guy, yet nothing could be further from the truth. Average is not a word that comes to mind in his story. While this is an inspirational book to people who had or have cancer, it is so much more. It is a book of hope and one man who refused to let the fears of cancer coming back stop him from doing what he had always dreamed of.

I could not help but laugh out loud in parts. Dick decided he wanted to try and catch crab on his way to Alaska. So they stopped and bought a crab pot for $200, and a shrimp pot for $120, and then another $200 for other stuff that was needed. He kept trying and trying and then one day it finally happened. He caught his first crab and the joy in finally catching one was priceless to him. His wife Sharon took a picture of Dick holding up his catch. And to think it only cost him $520. I laugh when ever I think of it.

Once when they were off their sailboat and walking around they forgot to bring their bear repellent with them. While they were enjoying the outdoors they happened upon a bear and it is something you cannot miss in this story. Nor the joke about the Irishman. Honest you have to buy this book to read about the poop juice, he was told to use when he was trying to catch a fish. Yes it literally was poop juice. I have to stop and add a warning about something to women who have had children and are over 55. At times I laughed so hard it was a race for the bathroom. Luckily for me I kept my dignity.

This book grabs your attention and while I have mentioned some of the funny things in this book, I know that cancer is not a funny thing. Dick is setting up a charitable foundation helping other cancer suffers. Both Dick and his wife Sharon now live on their boat full time.

As I read about all the places they have sailed to, this reviewer was caught up and was sailing with them. Excellent read for anyone. You can read about Dick's foundation at www.sailthrucancer.org.

Manning Up In Alaska

Seven Seas Cruising Association
February, 2010 Commodore's Bulletin

The Cruiser's Bookshelf
Nautical Book Review by
Barbara Theisen

  This book, while a sailing tale, is really a story of survival, adventure and inspiration. The author, long time sailor and SSCA member Dick Drechsler, was diagnosed with stage three neck and throat cancer in 2005. He went through a radical neck dissection, followed by four months of daily chemo and radiation therapy. Although ultimately declared "cancer-free," he was left with the inability to swallow anything but certain liquids, and survives today on a formula of liquid food.
  Many thought that the cancer would mean an end to their future sailing dreams, but Dick and his wife, Sharon, became full-time live-aboards and subsequently sailed their 47' Catalina, Last Resort, from California to Mexico and then north to Alaska, fulfilling their dream. Along the way, Dick created the non-profit foundation, Sail Through Cancer (www.sailthrucancer.org) and is donating the proceeds from his book to the foundation.  Anyone contemplating cruising the breathtaking waters of Alaska will want to read this book, as will anyone who believes that there are obstacles that are keeping them from fulfilling their own sail-away dream. Manning Up In Alaska will surely put those obstacles in perspective and help you kick them aside.  Watch the book trailer at www.ManningUpInAlaska.com. The website also provides links to buy the book for $16.95. 

Manning Up In Alaska, BoatU.S. Magazine, September/October, 2009

Setting off from Mexico in a Catalina 470 sailboat for the treacherous waters of Alaska, a trip of some 2,600 miles, is not the first thing you’d plan to do when told you have stage three throat cancer. But that’s what Dick Drechsler decided to do, along with his wife, Sharon, on Last Resort. Manning Up In Alaska (Little Harbor Publishing) goes far beyond the standard cruising story, as the author was forced to rethink his life, his health, and his dreams for the future. The voyage of Last Resort has a double meaning; Drechsler, 59 at the time, had been a successful resort developer. The diagnosis forced him to give up working to focus on beating the odds – his diagnosis was four to six months to live. Fortunately he has more than beat the odds largely due to his own dogged research into treatments. While illness diminished what had been a vibrant, active life, it was this unlikely cruise that got him back into the game of enjoying life to the fullest.

The book is filled with humor, along with nail-biting moments in dodging icebergs, uncharted rocks, raging currents, cruise ships, and crab pots in Alaska’s unforgiving seas. Today, Drechsler is an advocate for cancer patients and research; a portion of book proceeds go to his Sail Through Cancer Foundation. www.sailthroughcancer.org.   --- Elaine Dickinson, Managing Editor

5 Stars for Manning Up In Alaska
By Robert Jones, Washington, D.C.

Dick Drechsler is way more than a cancer survivor and ocean voyager; he makes life a grand adventure. Fueled by his intoxication with engaged living, head winds, mechanical failure, even stage four throat cancer, become mere challenges that simply must be overcome. What inspires me most about his story is the strength with which he accepts the hand he has been dealt, and then keeps playing--fiercely. This is also the story of uncommon and expansive teamwork with his wife, Sharon. After beating the odds on a fatal illness, many adjust priorities in life. Yet only the rare few choose Alaska as the first stage of their next chapter. An inspiring read. Dick and Sharon, when will the sequel be out?

Nancy Lewis
Director of Development,
City of Hope

"Congratulations!!! Your story is riveting AND powerfully inspirational, and I believe anyone who reads or hears it benefits in innumerable ways!"

Sandy Golden, retired award-winning investigative reporter and one of the organizers and original Executive Director of Mother's Against Drunk Driving (M.A.D.D.)

"I started reading your book last night and could not put it down. I'm really impressed. I am at page 78 and hope to finish it by end of next week. I have to say you have produced a really good and worthwhile book. It's a good read. From time to time I get books from new authors and most of the time, I glance at them and never read them. Your book is different. Wow! Your book really does deserve a wide audience. It is that well written and good. Congratulations."

Farley E. Yang, M.D., Radiation Oncologists of Central Arizona said:

 “As your former radiation oncologist, I’d like to say it has been my privilege to share your story with other patients as a source of encouragement for them. Your book will not only entertain your readers, but will inspire those who suffer from the ill effects of cancer treatment that there is, indeed, hope after traveling the long path back to health.”

 Here's the first review on Barnes & Noble:

With this kind of inspiration and courage one can conquer anything! This book has it all, hope, courage, inspiration and adventure! A great read for everyone!

Reader Rating See Detailed Ratings

Posted 04/12/09: A truly inspiring story of a man's love for sailing that pulled him through the insurmountable odds of beating stage III neck and throat cancer. Along with the support of his wife he searched until he found a solution to free him from the confines of a feeding tube and courageously embarked on a voyage of hope. They sailed from Mexico to Alaska aboard their sailboat "Last Resort" experiencing an adventure one only dreams about. "Mr. Drechsler, you "Manned Up" long before you reached Alaska!"!" Mary Aubert

Another reader and fellow-Catalina 470 owner,
Michael Yorke, wrote:

"I received my copy of the book last week and have just finished reading it. Congratulations on a GREAT book. I thought it was fabulous. The personal achievements, the sailing achievements, the adventures and the writing are terrific. What a great journey you and Sharon made and how enjoyable it is for the rest of us to be able to read about it. And now I know the story behind the name of your C470 - Last Resort, and the basis for the title of the book. Congratulations to both of you. Please write a second book!!!"

Shannon Green
Richlee Bags

I just received your book today and  I cannot put it down....I have a sailing friend that is having major life issues....so reluctantly, I am going to give him my copy and order another few copies............Richard I am so proud of you..this is what you are meant to do...what message you are meant to give the world.