Reviews

not many men could handle the life this man’s been through. hard to believe he’s still alive. great stories. fun book to read.

“92 hours“ recounts his time spent “lost at sea” in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico attached to their capsized boat. The time was spent praying and hoping for rescue. This only came after days passed and several close rays of hope also passed by. The rest of the true stories recount a life full of some adventures and misadventures as the case may be.

“ 18 tons” in the title refers to the Great Sapelo Bust. It held the record for the largest marijuana bust in American history for ten years. It still holds the record for Georgia.

Altman and friends ( or co-conspirators) attempted to smuggle a shrimpboat load of pot into the States, but got caught.

As his younger sister, I was unaware of most of his escapades until reading his book. I was unaware of the sheer number of some of his experiences and endeavors and was surprised at the level of danger involved with some of them. His wife (#5) says he has nine lives. I’ll bet he has used several if not eight of them. I know that during the latter part of his life he matured and was successful with his diving company and two bed and breakfasts, along with his wife, Janet.

Fredric Altman’s “18 Tons and 92 Hours: and 160 other clouds of dust” is an electrifying compilation of autobiographical short stories that catapults readers into the whirlwind life of a modern-day adventurer. Altman’s narratives are laced with raw intensity and vivid storytelling, offering an exhilarating mix of the bizarre, the extraordinary, the hilarious, and the heartbreaking. Each story is a testament to his ability to capture the essence of life’s unpredictability, making the book impossible to put down. The book’s variety is a major draw. From recounting the chaotic lead-up to an 18-ton marijuana bust, replete with crooked sheriffs and plane crashes, to the harrowing experience of being lost at sea for four days, Altman delivers a wide spectrum of experiences. This diversity ensures that there is something for every reader, whether they crave action, introspection, or humor. The authenticity in Altman’s storytelling is palpable. His accounts of downfall and redemption, moments of transcendence, and the relentless dance with mortality, strike a chord with readers seeking genuine and unvarnished life stories. This emotional depth and honesty add to the book’s appeal. Despite the often extraordinary circumstances of Altman’s life, the themes he explores are universal—resilience, survival, transformation, and the human spirit’s capacity to endure. These themes ensure that readers from all walks of life can find something relatable and inspiring in his tales.