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Drifting in the Push
Drifting in the Push is a fast-paced, comical romp that takes the reader on a journey through the unintentional adventures of one man’s reality. From the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific Ocean, from Mexico to Alaska, missteps, stubborn obstacles, and fate are his constant companions, along with an offbeat assortment of entertaining characters. From time to time, his escapades include his two childhood friends—Bryan, who follows him to the unforgiving Arctic, and Shane, who steers him down an unpleasant alley or two. Amid this craziness, he picks up another friend—Hank, his devoted dog. This chronological series of interdependent short stories will take you from fear to love, amusement to surprise, and it just might occasionally leave a tear in your eye.
- GenresNonfictionHumor
274 pages, Paperback
First published June 25, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
June 16, 2018
Book Reviewed by Clive on www.whisperingstories.com
Picture the scene. You have spent a convivial evening in the company of a raconteur telling you funny little stories from his life. Possibly accompanied by good food and wine, you have thoroughly enjoyed the time which you end with those familiar words. “You must write a book about all your exploits”. If such a suggestion caused the birth of this book then the person who delivered the line has a lot to answer for.
Garrison’s writing has a competence that befits his college qualifications. His text is easy to follow and I found myself through the book in no time. It is more “gentle and amusing” than the “fast-paced, comical romp” that we were promised but that can be acceptable.
However, I was left asking myself what Drifting in the Push was all about. There is little storyline. The book is semi-autobiographical, covering the first 30 years or so of a young man’s life and told through a series of short, sometimes mildly amusing short stories. What disappointed me was the dullness of many of these stories. Agreed, many of us have not worked in arctic seas or have camped in remote areas but so much of this was everyday events that have either happened to ourselves or to close friends. I don’t want to give too many spoilers but what child hasn’t fallen off their bike, lost a pet through an accident or had a bike stolen? Yes, such details woven into a novel can embellish a tale but without an overall plot they provide weak entertainment.
The action gets a little more serious towards the end of the book and I enjoyed learning more about life in Alaska, particularly the vastness of the place.
During his travels Daniel meets a number of characters but none that we get to know in any great depth. Indeed, how much do we really know about Daniel? Do we really understand why his life took the turns it did instead of following the expected paths? He has a few pals but no serious relationships. Sorry, it’s all a bit thin.
If you are keen for a gentle, easy read then you could try Drifting in the Push. I have awarded three stars.
Picture the scene. You have spent a convivial evening in the company of a raconteur telling you funny little stories from his life. Possibly accompanied by good food and wine, you have thoroughly enjoyed the time which you end with those familiar words. “You must write a book about all your exploits”. If such a suggestion caused the birth of this book then the person who delivered the line has a lot to answer for.
Garrison’s writing has a competence that befits his college qualifications. His text is easy to follow and I found myself through the book in no time. It is more “gentle and amusing” than the “fast-paced, comical romp” that we were promised but that can be acceptable.
However, I was left asking myself what Drifting in the Push was all about. There is little storyline. The book is semi-autobiographical, covering the first 30 years or so of a young man’s life and told through a series of short, sometimes mildly amusing short stories. What disappointed me was the dullness of many of these stories. Agreed, many of us have not worked in arctic seas or have camped in remote areas but so much of this was everyday events that have either happened to ourselves or to close friends. I don’t want to give too many spoilers but what child hasn’t fallen off their bike, lost a pet through an accident or had a bike stolen? Yes, such details woven into a novel can embellish a tale but without an overall plot they provide weak entertainment.
The action gets a little more serious towards the end of the book and I enjoyed learning more about life in Alaska, particularly the vastness of the place.
During his travels Daniel meets a number of characters but none that we get to know in any great depth. Indeed, how much do we really know about Daniel? Do we really understand why his life took the turns it did instead of following the expected paths? He has a few pals but no serious relationships. Sorry, it’s all a bit thin.
If you are keen for a gentle, easy read then you could try Drifting in the Push. I have awarded three stars.
January 29, 2017
This book is about the 187 times the author, and sometimes his dog, almost lost their lives.
Seriously, this book depicts a period of the author's life in short story format from boyhood to early adulthood. Situations include bike riding and surfing with friends, a summer job on a ship, a first date, sharing a house with fellow college students, renting a trailer in Alaska, camping on vacation and learning the carpentry trade. If these subjects sound mundane or even boring to you, you must read this book to discover the truly unconventional life the author has lived. His stories are filled with danger, excitement, humor, and more danger.
While reading this book you will often shake your head and ask yourself how the author could possibly be alive after enduring all that. I assure you, he is. I checked.
Seriously, this book depicts a period of the author's life in short story format from boyhood to early adulthood. Situations include bike riding and surfing with friends, a summer job on a ship, a first date, sharing a house with fellow college students, renting a trailer in Alaska, camping on vacation and learning the carpentry trade. If these subjects sound mundane or even boring to you, you must read this book to discover the truly unconventional life the author has lived. His stories are filled with danger, excitement, humor, and more danger.
While reading this book you will often shake your head and ask yourself how the author could possibly be alive after enduring all that. I assure you, he is. I checked.
June 28, 2016
What a fun, completely unpredictable read! When I saw the cover, I thought the book must talk a lot about Alaska or snow sports. Well, it does have a fair amount of Alaska (what it was like to live aboard a fishing boat there, the struggle to find work and housing) but the scenery changes often to life in the lower 48. The author tells of childhood, college life and beyond, in an extremely funny, laugh-out-loud kind of way. There is so much going on in this book that I might pitch it as "Man vs. Wild" meets "The Hangover". Great stuff that you have to read to believe! I'm looking forward to more adventures with Dan and Hank (Dan's lovable dog who was with him through it all) in book 2!
June 7, 2017
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
I didn’t have any set expectations when I started reading this book. It took me a couple of chapters to get into it, but once the book got me hooked, I was in for a ride. Drifting in the Push is Daniel Garrison’s account of how he nearly died in different scenarios from boyhood to adulthood, in short story format. 😀 Oh, and there’s a dog! Who lives until the end of this book! And is ADORABLE!
READ THIS BOOK, PEASANT!
Don’t think, even for a minute, that this book is boring. Every story in this book is engrossing. They are chronological stories, starting from Daniel’s childhood. Even as a child, he’s had interesting experiences. I was constantly being amazed by the different states he’s lived in and the different situations he’s been put in. How does one live like that?!
I’m a hermit and I hate leaving my house. Reading this book about the author’s wanderings made me very happy, though. I don’t know if it has inspired me to move around a lot, but it definitely introduced me to adventure and trying to seek new experiences in life.
And as the blurb promises, the book did bring a tear or thousand to the eye occasionally.
A sequel to this book is in the works. When it releases, I will be first in line to buy it.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
I didn’t have any set expectations when I started reading this book. It took me a couple of chapters to get into it, but once the book got me hooked, I was in for a ride. Drifting in the Push is Daniel Garrison’s account of how he nearly died in different scenarios from boyhood to adulthood, in short story format. 😀 Oh, and there’s a dog! Who lives until the end of this book! And is ADORABLE!
READ THIS BOOK, PEASANT!
Don’t think, even for a minute, that this book is boring. Every story in this book is engrossing. They are chronological stories, starting from Daniel’s childhood. Even as a child, he’s had interesting experiences. I was constantly being amazed by the different states he’s lived in and the different situations he’s been put in. How does one live like that?!
I’m a hermit and I hate leaving my house. Reading this book about the author’s wanderings made me very happy, though. I don’t know if it has inspired me to move around a lot, but it definitely introduced me to adventure and trying to seek new experiences in life.
And as the blurb promises, the book did bring a tear or thousand to the eye occasionally.
A sequel to this book is in the works. When it releases, I will be first in line to buy it.
July 4, 2016
A series of short autobiographical short stories of the author's life blending into the span of childhood to adulthood. A book you can pick up and read anytime, anywhere...would be a good "bathroom book." Or you can easily read it in one sitting because it is highly entertaining and captivating. If you are feeling down, read of couple of these life recollections and it will surely put a smile on your face. Full of wit, humor, fun, unfortunate/fortunate events, and adventure!
August 17, 2016
This first book by Daniel Garrison is an absolute joy to read. It should also carry a warning: ‘not to be consumed in public places’. When you’re not gasping aloud at chance meetings with monster grizzlies and killer bulls or groaning at the author’s eyeball-to-eyeball confrontations with the reality of Alaskan life (I’m thinking of a particularly horrendous episode involving a frozen torrent of human waste in a confined crawlspace), you’ll be snorting and giggling at his laconic accounts of unbelievable adventures with his two best buddies Shane and Bryan. It reminded me of the first time I read Bill’s Bryson’s ‘Notes from a Small Island’, when I nearly got thrown off a plane for unruly laughter.
But this is not just a funny book. The quotation from Virgil is perfectly chosen. ‘Let us follow our destiny, ebb and flow. Whatever may happen, we master fortune by accepting it.’ Garrison is, like Aeneas, a wanderer. From his near-idyllic childhood in the Rocky Mountains through his adventures as a student (which at times have an American Graffiti-style innocence about them) the author’s travels will finally take him to America’s last frontier, Alaska.
The reader is plunged into a relatively unknown and astonishing place, this northern state of the USA where life is very different from where I’m sitting, in SW France. The climate, the difficulties of survival, the conditions faced by those who work there, all are all are depicted in realistic and sometimes horrifying detail. It’s like reading about the Far West of the 1800s. The young Garrison struggles to make a go of it, working as a chef, dishwasher, log-chopper and what have you, and living in a series of semi-hovels culminating in his residence in The Trailer from Hell. He learns about the realities of a life where having a steady job means rolling out of your sleeping bag in the aforementioned Trailer at 3h45 am, hacking ice off your battered truck (inadvertently leaving chunks of your fingers stuck to the metal), driving for 2 hours to get to work, hauling sheetrock all day and finally making it back to the fire-less, toilet-less, window-less, charm-less Trailer just in time to fall into bed for a few hours before starting all over again the next day.
It’s a grim life, a lonely life, but throughout it all he has his very best friend (and surely every reader’s favourite character) by his side. Hank, the half-Alsatian half-Husky pup he got from a rescue centre while a student.
This book has many treasures, only a few of which can be described in a short review. The descriptions of the vast splendours of the northern wilderness, vivid accounts of life on a trawler, close encounters with the animal kingdom–sharks, moose, grizzlies–a cast of unforgettable characters, all recounted in the author’s distinctive voice –this book has something for every reader.
But this is not just a funny book. The quotation from Virgil is perfectly chosen. ‘Let us follow our destiny, ebb and flow. Whatever may happen, we master fortune by accepting it.’ Garrison is, like Aeneas, a wanderer. From his near-idyllic childhood in the Rocky Mountains through his adventures as a student (which at times have an American Graffiti-style innocence about them) the author’s travels will finally take him to America’s last frontier, Alaska.
The reader is plunged into a relatively unknown and astonishing place, this northern state of the USA where life is very different from where I’m sitting, in SW France. The climate, the difficulties of survival, the conditions faced by those who work there, all are all are depicted in realistic and sometimes horrifying detail. It’s like reading about the Far West of the 1800s. The young Garrison struggles to make a go of it, working as a chef, dishwasher, log-chopper and what have you, and living in a series of semi-hovels culminating in his residence in The Trailer from Hell. He learns about the realities of a life where having a steady job means rolling out of your sleeping bag in the aforementioned Trailer at 3h45 am, hacking ice off your battered truck (inadvertently leaving chunks of your fingers stuck to the metal), driving for 2 hours to get to work, hauling sheetrock all day and finally making it back to the fire-less, toilet-less, window-less, charm-less Trailer just in time to fall into bed for a few hours before starting all over again the next day.
It’s a grim life, a lonely life, but throughout it all he has his very best friend (and surely every reader’s favourite character) by his side. Hank, the half-Alsatian half-Husky pup he got from a rescue centre while a student.
This book has many treasures, only a few of which can be described in a short review. The descriptions of the vast splendours of the northern wilderness, vivid accounts of life on a trawler, close encounters with the animal kingdom–sharks, moose, grizzlies–a cast of unforgettable characters, all recounted in the author’s distinctive voice –this book has something for every reader.
August 30, 2016
A memoir that reads more as fiction than reality, this adventurous trek of one young man will inspire readers to go out there and take a chance on their futures. Adventure is just around the corner if you'll only follow it! Going all the way back to his early childhood years, Dan is the kind of person you just want to be friends with. Always eager to lend a hand, hard working, fun, and a little naive, he's the kind of guy who you'd love to shoot the shit with. Whether it's summer jobs that should have been thought through, horrible living conditions (imagine the worst place you've ever seen, and then double it), partying a little too hard in college, or trying vainly to get the girl, Dan has a story to top yours. When he graduated college with no prospects he decided that something would come to him and he eventually ended up living in Alaska doing odd jobs until he fell into carpentry and finally got steady employ. Always at his side is his lovable sidekick Hank, part husky, part mutt, all around adorable and central to nearly every story. Together they battle bears, drug dealers, hypothermia, and ant-freeze, nothing is insurmountable when they are together. An enjoyable funny read that will definitely leave you wanting to know how the story continues. I'm eagerly awaiting the follow up!
July 16, 2016
Read the full review here: http://newberyandbeyond.com/review-co...
This memoir is a collection of funny, sometimes kind of insane stories. As Dan grows up, he faces danger, theft, and cross-country moves. His traumatic experiences make for good entertainment, although he probably didn’t see them that way at the time!
My favorite stories in Drifting in the Push feature Dan’s adventures in Alaska. After moving to Alaska without a place to live, a job, or any friends except his dog Hank, Dan ends up living in some truly awful homes–the stories he tells of fixing up the old trailer he lived in at one point are horrifying and hilarious. Whether he’s trekking through swampland or nearly freezing to death on the floor, Dan’s adventures are always interesting and sometimes impressive, too.
*Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This memoir is a collection of funny, sometimes kind of insane stories. As Dan grows up, he faces danger, theft, and cross-country moves. His traumatic experiences make for good entertainment, although he probably didn’t see them that way at the time!
My favorite stories in Drifting in the Push feature Dan’s adventures in Alaska. After moving to Alaska without a place to live, a job, or any friends except his dog Hank, Dan ends up living in some truly awful homes–the stories he tells of fixing up the old trailer he lived in at one point are horrifying and hilarious. Whether he’s trekking through swampland or nearly freezing to death on the floor, Dan’s adventures are always interesting and sometimes impressive, too.
*Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
June 27, 2016
I was fortunate enough to receive an advance copy of Drifting in the Push and I found myself enamoured with it right from the first chapter. I could fill a page trying to describe this book, it really is that unique, so maybe its better if I just say that all of the chapters are interrelated, each one of them could also stand on its own as a short story. And the stories are so varied, it kept me guessing what would happen next. I really enjoyed the book and would wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone with an adventurous spirit and a sense of humor.
June 27, 2016
Drifting in the Push is an excellent compilation of coming of age stories. I laughed out loud many times and even found myself fighting back tears. If you've ever had a dog who meant the world to you, you'll truly understand the relationship between the main character and his sidekick, Hank. From Alaska to Tijuana, Garrison succinctly and hilariously describes their escapades in vivid detail. I'm looking forward to the sequel and finding out how he got to where he is today.
June 27, 2016
I read this book fast (for me anyway) - I couldn't put it down. It was such a fun and interesting read, and I wanted to know what happens next in his life. It will evoke alot of different emotions based on each story told. A great summer time read, and one that I will recommend to my book club.
Nice job Daniel Garrison. Looking forward to the next book!
Nice job Daniel Garrison. Looking forward to the next book!
August 13, 2016
A fast-paced look into Dan Garrison’s life left me feeling like if I find something inspiring, go for it. Although from a distance, Dan may seem fearless on all his endeavors, he questioned several of his moves (location-wise and general pursuits) but stuck them out until something else popped up that was a better opportunity or just different. For readers who are more the planners out there and need to know steps to take for the future, you may be slightly uncomfortable with Dan’s approach to life. I found it refreshing and light-hearted at times in addition to down-to-earth and realistic. I’m envious of his ability to pick-up and leave and know what’s important to him – and not selfishly since Hank, his dog, he shows so much love and compassion for above all else.
Dan’s life is not boring, that’s for sure. He finds himself in several pickles in which I’m amazed that he is able to survive – both as a child well into his adult life. It also leads me to wonder, how can so much happen to one person? Quite fantastical yet honest. The first few chapters sped through his childhood in which I couldn’t grasp a tight connection as we jumped through his life quickly. Broken down, each chapter could be a short story in and of itself.
Read Drifting in the Push if you like the themes of:
Independence
Adventure
Laissez Faire
Dan’s life is not boring, that’s for sure. He finds himself in several pickles in which I’m amazed that he is able to survive – both as a child well into his adult life. It also leads me to wonder, how can so much happen to one person? Quite fantastical yet honest. The first few chapters sped through his childhood in which I couldn’t grasp a tight connection as we jumped through his life quickly. Broken down, each chapter could be a short story in and of itself.
Read Drifting in the Push if you like the themes of:
Independence
Adventure
Laissez Faire
June 27, 2016
The stories were fantastic, they really were good! I laughed out loud several times, but what I really liked was the writing style. So many books today are so full of needless background information and descriptions, but not this one. It just gets right into it and speeds along, full steam ahead.
I was chatting with a friend about what books we were currently reading and I told her about this one. She asked me what genre it was (she’s a pretty picky reader). I found it a hard question to answer. I said it could be adventure or travel, maybe ‘coming of age’, but then it has elements of sadness, hardships and humor, so I guess I wasn’t much help, but I told her to just read it and decide for herself, which she’s currently doing.
I recommend this book. It was a good find. A solid 4 stars.
I was chatting with a friend about what books we were currently reading and I told her about this one. She asked me what genre it was (she’s a pretty picky reader). I found it a hard question to answer. I said it could be adventure or travel, maybe ‘coming of age’, but then it has elements of sadness, hardships and humor, so I guess I wasn’t much help, but I told her to just read it and decide for herself, which she’s currently doing.
I recommend this book. It was a good find. A solid 4 stars.
October 9, 2017
I would describe Drifting in the Push by Daniel Garrison as a combination of life/travel/coming-of-age memoir. The book contains a collection of stories and experiences from the author’s childhood through to a young adult. Each short story could be read as a stand-alone, but they work nicely as a group and had a natural flow to them.
After reading the book, I find it amazing that the author lived to write about his adventures. Anyone else would have succumbed. I am still shaking my head in wonder about how he managed to walk away from his first car adventure. I can honestly say I do not know anyone that has had so many near death experiences. Call it what you like, but Lady Luck and/or his guardian Angel (I am sure it took both) did a first rate job of looking after him.
Now that I have finished the book and have had time to reflect on what I read, I have a real appreciation for this young man’s tenacity. Any ordinary person would have given up and gone back home to family. Not Dan, he refused to let things like no running water, no working shower or toilet stop him. He was not only stubborn but creative and resourceful.
I accepted the request to read and review this book because it would fulfill a task on this year’s Book Riot Reading Challenge and I had also enjoyed reading Braving It by James Cameron. I truly was expecting something different; yet I enjoyed it. The author’s candid and vivid descriptions of his escapades made it a quick read. Anybody who likes adventure stories, whether they are fiction or non-fiction, will enjoy Drifting in the Push. As for myself, I am looking forward to the next installment.
I received a free copy in exchange for my honest review.
For more of my reviews, and author interviews, see my blog at www.thespineview.com.
After reading the book, I find it amazing that the author lived to write about his adventures. Anyone else would have succumbed. I am still shaking my head in wonder about how he managed to walk away from his first car adventure. I can honestly say I do not know anyone that has had so many near death experiences. Call it what you like, but Lady Luck and/or his guardian Angel (I am sure it took both) did a first rate job of looking after him.
Now that I have finished the book and have had time to reflect on what I read, I have a real appreciation for this young man’s tenacity. Any ordinary person would have given up and gone back home to family. Not Dan, he refused to let things like no running water, no working shower or toilet stop him. He was not only stubborn but creative and resourceful.
I accepted the request to read and review this book because it would fulfill a task on this year’s Book Riot Reading Challenge and I had also enjoyed reading Braving It by James Cameron. I truly was expecting something different; yet I enjoyed it. The author’s candid and vivid descriptions of his escapades made it a quick read. Anybody who likes adventure stories, whether they are fiction or non-fiction, will enjoy Drifting in the Push. As for myself, I am looking forward to the next installment.
I received a free copy in exchange for my honest review.
For more of my reviews, and author interviews, see my blog at www.thespineview.com.
June 3, 2017
An enjoyable read
I love stories about people living their lives, disappointments and adventures. It ended too soon. I want to know more.
I love stories about people living their lives, disappointments and adventures. It ended too soon. I want to know more.
December 17, 2018
Oh the adventures he has had
This book was funny and at times I wondered how he is still around. I laughed at his mistakes and can't wait to read the next book
This book was funny and at times I wondered how he is still around. I laughed at his mistakes and can't wait to read the next book
September 21, 2016
Won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. What a pleasant surprise this book was. It follows the life of Dan,the author, and describes the trials and tribulations he gets himself into. I always like to read a memoir featuring a person who travels off of the beaten path and Mr. Garrison seems to have done that. He describes his adventures in a series of short stories that chronologically take you through his unusual life This was a pleasure to read. A five star novel for sure.
November 26, 2016
Another sequel!
Although I literally despise books that leave you hanging, such as this one did, it still captured my attention; thus three stars. However, I refuse to be duped into buying sequels just to find out how the story ends.
Although I literally despise books that leave you hanging, such as this one did, it still captured my attention; thus three stars. However, I refuse to be duped into buying sequels just to find out how the story ends.
September 21, 2016
Amusing and we'll written.
I couldn't wait to pick it up and continue reading each evening. It made me remember my own college years and all the "adventures"of youth.
I couldn't wait to pick it up and continue reading each evening. It made me remember my own college years and all the "adventures"of youth.
January 17, 2018
I really enjoyed this story of adventure with lost hope, new found friends and triumphs all mixed in.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews