Castaway in Paradise: The Incredible Adventures of True-Life Robinson Crusoes

Alexander Selkirk, a difficult and unpleasant British sailor, was put ashore at his own request on Mas a Tierra Island off the coast of Chile in 1704 and remained alone there until 1709. His story came to the attention of Daniel Defoe, and thereby hangs a tradition. Although isolated, Selkirk, upon whom Defoe modeled his fictional hero Robinson Crusoe, did not have a terribly trying situation, for he had fresh water, fruit, wild goats, shellfish and certain amenities. Others in comparable situations were not so fortunate, as Simmons ( The Big Book of Adventure Travel ) makes clear in these accounts of eight castaways--some by coercion, some by their own choice--ranging from the 18th century to (believe it or not) 1977. Just as the adventures of Selkirk/Crusoe enthralled readers in 1719, the chronicles here will surely prove exciting to readers today. (Oct.)