A Mile Down
by Vann, David
Reviews
Review this book!
On Feb 26, 2014, CloggieDownunder said
A Mile Down is the first non-fiction book by award-winning American novelist, David Vann. In it, Vann narrates the events that lead to him buying a steel boat hull in Turkey with the purpose of outfitting it to use for an educational charter business. In giving up his steady job at Stanford to take on this risky venture, Vann sees parallels to his father’s life, and later wonders if he, too, will be reduced to committing suicide when things go badly. Vann’s narration is interesting from the first page, and leads the reader through several exciting climaxes. His frustration with the various tradesmen he has to rely on is palpable, and his naïveté in entrusting his project to others whilst unable to maintain adequate vigilance over it will have readers shaking their heads in disbelief. The unscrupulousness of certain tradesmen, crew, petty officials and even rescuers will leave readers gasping, yet the generosity of family, various friends, investors and even an insurance assessor are equally amazing. Van’s prose skilfully conveys the feel of each scenario, and he is occasionally the master of understatement: “…Nancy….looked worried. I guess being fifty miles from land in thousands of feet of water at night in stormy conditions being yanked through the water at nine knots by a bunch of incompetents while we had a crack in our hull somehow gave her cause for concern.” Vann illustrates in dramatic fashion how a dream combined with reliance on others and adverse weather events can quickly lead to a downfall. He turns the story of a failed venture into a gripping page-turner.
Available Copies
More Photos
A Mile Down: The True Story of a Disastrous Career at Sea
by Vann, David
- Condition
- Used - Good
- Edition
- First Edition
- Published
- 2005
- Binding
- Soft cover
- ISBN
- 9781560257103
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Cadillac, Michigan, USA
- Item Price
-
$10.00
Show Details
Description:
Da Capo Press, 2005. First Edition . Soft cover. Good. 8vo - over 7¾ - 9¾" tall. Light Edgewear. Light Wear. Very Light Soiling. There Is A Name Inked On Inside Front Cover. Signed By Author On First Title Page.
Item Price
$10.00
A Mile Down : The True Story of a Disastrous Career at Sea
by David Vann
- Condition
- Used - Acceptable
- Published
- 2005
- Binding
- Paperback
- ISBN
- 9781560257103
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Seattle, Washington, USA
- Item Price
-
$6.88
Show Details
Description:
Hachette Books, 2005. Paperback. Acceptable. Disclaimer:A readable copy. All pages are intact, and the cover is intact. Pages can include considerable notes-in pen or highlighter-but the notes cannot obscure the text. At ThriftBooks, our motto is: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed. Item Price
$6.88
A Mile Down: The True Story of a Disastrous Career at Sea
by Vann, David
- Condition
- Used - Very Good
- ISBN
- 9781560257103
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Frederick, Maryland, USA
- Item Price
-
$4.08
Show Details
Description:
Da Capo Press. Used - Very Good. Very Good condition. A copy that may have a few cosmetic defects. May also contain a few markings such as an owner’s name, short gifter’s inscription or light stamp. Item Price
$4.08
A Mile Down: The True Story of a Disastrous Career at Sea
by Vann, David
- Condition
- Used - Acceptable
- Binding
- Paperback
- ISBN
- 9781560257103
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
GORING BY SEA, West Sussex, GBR
- Item Price
-
$1.03
Show Details
Description:
Paperback. Acceptable. Item Price
$1.03
A Mile Down: The True Story of a Disastrous Career at Sea
by Vann, David
- Condition
- Used - Very Good
- Binding
- Paperback
- ISBN
- 9780434021956
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
GORING BY SEA, West Sussex, GBR
- Item Price
-
$1.02
Show Details
Description:
Paperback. Very Good. Item Price
$1.02
A Mile Down: The True Story of a Disastrous Career at Sea
by Vann, David
- Condition
- Used - Good
- Binding
- Paperback
- ISBN
- 9781560257103
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
GORING BY SEA, West Sussex, GBR
- Item Price
-
$1.02
Show Details
Description:
Paperback. Good. Item Price
$1.02
A Mile Down: The True Story of a Disastrous Career at Sea
by Vann, David
- Condition
- Used - Good
- Binding
- Paperback
- ISBN
- 9780434021956
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
GORING BY SEA, West Sussex, GBR
- Item Price
-
$1.02
Show Details
Description:
Paperback. Good. Item Price
$1.02
A Mile Down: The True Story of a Disastrous Career at Sea
by Vann, David
- Condition
- Used - Very Good
- Binding
- Paperback
- ISBN
- 9780099558736
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
GORING BY SEA, West Sussex, GBR
- Item Price
-
$6.35
Show Details
Description:
Paperback. Very Good. Item Price
$6.35
A Mile Down: The True Story of a Disastrous Career at Sea
by Vann, David
- Condition
- Used; Good
- Edition
- First Thus
- Published
- 10/01/2015
- Binding
- Hardcover
- ISBN
- 9780434021956
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
London, Greater London, GBR
- Item Price
-
$4.49
Show Details
Description:
William Heinemann, 10/01/2015. First Thus. Hardcover. Used; Good. **WE SHIP WITHIN 24 HRS FROM LONDON, UK, 98% OF OUR ORDERS ARE RECEIVED WITHIN 7-10 DAYS. We believe you will be completely satisfied with our quick and reliable service. All orders are dispatched as swiftly as possible! Buy with confidence! Greener Books. Item Price
$4.49
A Mile Down: The True Story of a Disastrous Career at Sea
by David Vann
- Condition
- Used; Very Good
- Published
- 07/24/2005
- Binding
- Paperback
- ISBN
- 9781560257103
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
London, Greater London, GBR
- Item Price
-
$4.49
Show Details
Description:
Da Capo Press, 07/24/2005. Paperback. Used; Very Good. **WE SHIP WITHIN 24 HRS FROM LONDON, UK, 98% OF OUR ORDERS ARE RECEIVED WITHIN 7-10 DAYS. We believe you will be completely satisfied with our quick and reliable service. All orders are dispatched as swiftly as possible! Buy with confidence! Greener Books. Item Price
$4.49
A Mile Down: The True Story of a Disastrous Career at Sea
by Vann, David
- Condition
- Used; Good
- Published
- 08/11/2016
- Binding
- Paperback
- ISBN
- 9780099558736
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
London, Greater London, GBR
- Item Price
-
$4.49
Show Details
Description:
Windmill Books, 08/11/2016. Paperback. Used; Good. **WE SHIP WITHIN 24 HRS FROM LONDON, UK, 98% OF OUR ORDERS ARE RECEIVED WITHIN 7-10 DAYS. We believe you will be completely satisfied with our quick and reliable service. All orders are dispatched as swiftly as possible! Buy with confidence! Greener Books. Item Price
$4.49
A Mile Down: The True Story of a Disastrous Career at Sea [Paperback]
by David Vann
- Condition
- New
- Published
- 2005-05-10
- Binding
- Paperback
- ISBN
- 9781560257103
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Davison, Michigan, USA
- Item Price
-
$10.02
Show Details
Description:
Thunder, 2005-05-10. Paperback. New. 8x5x0. brand new unread Item Price
$10.02
A Mile Down : The True Story of a Disastrous Career at Sea
by Vann, David
- Condition
- Used - Very Good
- ISBN
- 9781560257103
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Reno, Nevada, USA
- Item Price
-
$6.66
Show Details
Description:
Hachette Books. Used - Very Good. Used book that is in excellent condition. May show signs of wear or have minor defects. Item Price
$6.66
A Mile Down: The True Story of a Disastrous Career at Sea
by David Vann
- Condition
- Used - Good
- Published
- 2005-05-10
- Binding
- Paperback
- ISBN
- 9781560257103
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
HOUSTON, Texas, USA
- Item Price
-
$7.85
Show Details
Description:
Da Capo Press, 2005-05-10. Paperback. Good. Item Price
$7.85
A Mile Down : The True Story of a Disastrous Career at Sea
by Vann, David
- Condition
- Used - Good
- ISBN
- 9781560257103
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Mishawaka, Indiana, USA
- Item Price
-
$5.73
Show Details
Description:
Hachette Books. Used - Good. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages. Item Price
$5.73
Mile Down
by David Vann
- Condition
- New
- Binding
- Paperback / softback
- ISBN
- 9780099558736
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Uxbridge, Greater London, GBR
- Item Price
-
$20.15
Show Details
Description:
Paperback / softback. New. New Book; Fast Shipping from UK; Not signed; Not First Edition; B-format paperback Item Price
$20.15
A Mile Down: The True Story of a Disastrous Career at Sea
by Vann, David
- Condition
- Like New
- Published
- 2005-06-15
- Binding
- Paperback
- ISBN
- 9781560257103
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Fairfax Station, Virginia, USA
- Item Price
-
$13.13
Show Details
Description:
Da Capo Press, 2005-06-15. Paperback. Like New. Item Price
$13.13
A Mile Down : The True Story of a Disastrous Career at Sea
by Vann, David
- Condition
- Used - Very Good
- ISBN
- 9780434021956
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Dunfermline, Fife, GBR
- Item Price
-
$6.34
Show Details
Description:
Penguin Random House. Used - Very Good. Ships from the UK. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in excellent condition. May show signs of wear or have minor defects. Item Price
$6.34
A Mile Down : The True Story of a Disastrous Career at Sea
by Vann, David
- Condition
- Used - Good
- ISBN
- 9780099558736
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Dunfermline, Fife, GBR
- Item Price
-
$5.00
Show Details
Description:
Penguin Random House. Used - Good. Ships from the UK. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages. Item Price
$5.00
A Mile Down : The True Story of a Disastrous Career at Sea
by Vann, David
- Condition
- Used - Good
- ISBN
- 9780434021956
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Dunfermline, Fife, GBR
- Item Price
-
$6.01
Show Details
Description:
Penguin Random House. Used - Good. Ships from the UK. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages. Item Price
$6.01