Rescue Ferrets at Sea

Mostly, this is a straight-ahead action fable about ferret heroism and self-rescue. It has more characters than it can develop (and runelike passages in secret ferret language), because Bach has in mind about 60 more books in the Ferret Chronicles. Second in the series: Air Ferrets Aloft. --Tim Appelo

Product Description

Not many humans know. On the edges of every sea, the Ferret Rescue Service stands alongside the Coast Guard and Coastal Patrol of any country that claims an ocean shore. Just as it is the job of humans to rescue human lives at risk in storm and shipboard disaster, so it is the job of ferrets to rescue seagoing animals.

In this world of committed, courageous ferrets, Captain Bethany Ferret stands apart. A kit from humble beginnings, she rises quickly to command the swift J-boat Resolute, once derelict, which she herself has rescued from the rocks. Bethany and her crew measure the days by storms at sea, by ships in distress and by lives saved from tempest.

When the alert siren shrieks in the midnight storm, Bethany shakes away sleep and races to the bridge. "Boa, start Engine One, start Engine Two." She does not inquire whether the Chief Engine ferret is ready for action on a quarter-minute warning. She switches to the ship's loudspeaker: "Topside crew, paws on deck. We have a vessel in distress, this is not a drill."

Engines bursting awake, searchlights blazing, crew and boat battle swells and screaming wind to reach desperate creatures in black water, the lines between life and death now drawn only by the limits of the ferrets' courage.

From ceaseless boat-drill practice to instant decisions on the broken deck of the Deepsea Explorer, Rescue Ferrets at Sea is a tale of the pursuit of ideals, of the value of teamwork, an action portrait of those who believe that the rescue of life is the highest calling.

The Coast Guard rescues humans - but what about any animals on board? Why the Rescue Ferrets, of course! It's a wonderful tale that will delight both young and old. I have all three books in the "Ferret Chronicles" and can't wait till he writes the next one.

Very well written, the story moves right along and Bach's attention to detail makes you feel like you're right there in the action. Great job, Mr. Bach :)

PS: ferrets are not vicious and my five have never bitten anyone. However, if the idiot in the prior review ever met mine I wouldn't stop them heh heh


Rescue Ferrets Rock!   July 6, 2002
13 out of 15 found this review helpful

We loved this book! I've always enjoyed reading aloud to my children and Rescue Ferrets at Sea was a special treat for me and my two sons (ages six and eight). Richard Bach does not "write down" to children -- instead he gives us a richly textured fable for all ages filled with action and adventure as well as strong role models both male and female (and furred and feathered). Mostly I just love a book that I can share with my children that is beautifully written and also holds something of interest for me (any parent who has suffered through some of the "Babysitter Club" genre knows what I'm talking about). I am thrilled that the Ferrets are intended to be a series -- we've already finished Air Ferrets Aloft and can't wait for the next Ferret adventure!


Best Ferret Fairy-Tail Series Ever!   August 25, 2002
8 out of 9 found this review helpful

Richard Bach is a wonderful author. I wish I could write as well as him! The Ferret Chronicles is special, because there aren't many children's books that encourage the reader that a ferret is a wonderful animal. My daughter has two ferrets, and she really enjoys these books. On a scale of one to ten, I'd rate these books eleven!


VERY GOOD!!!!!   September 7, 2003
4 out of 4 found this review helpful

I loved this book. It was well written. And whoever said they don't like ferrets because they are vicous and bite they are WRONG!!!
Do your research!! Anyway it was my first time reading one of his books. I am going to buy the next one. Again, VERY GOOD!!!!


Couldn't believe how much I loved it.   June 25, 2002
rikki200020002 (New York)
6 out of 7 found this review helpful

My nephew gave me a copy of this book and I thought Yeah Right! I sat down with it and much to my surprise, it grabbed by the collar immediately. It's a simply a great read with lots of action and a satisfying end. I'll never mock my nephew again. But I won't buy him a ferret!