Joe Kissack's book 'The Fourth Fisherman' is two stories in one. He overlaps the wonderful true story of three Mexican fishermen who were thought to be lost at sea back in 2006 along with the tale of his own conversion. Kissack, a high paid Hollywood film and television producer, being responsible for many popular shows reaching syndication--one being `Seinfeld', tells of his rise to wealth and eventual fall into despair.
The drawing card of the book is hearing about the nine month long ordeal the fishermen experienced after their 25 foot fishing boat got caught in a storm late in 2005. They drifted from the west coast of Mexico clear across the Pacific Ocean to the Marshall Islands where they were picked up by a Taiwanese tuna trawler manned by a mostly Chinese crew. I was encouraged by their story and the faith they practiced day to day as they waited and prayed to be rescued. Unfortunately two of the original crew of five died during the journey, after refusing to eat the raw meat the fishermen were able to catch. Starvation was their undoing.
At the same time, Kissack weaves in his own personal story of the glamour and life of excess he got caught up in. For some reason, the two stories parallel beautifully. The reader is caught up in wanting the fishermen to be rescued and hurting along with Kissack and hoping he is saved as well, though in totally different scenarios.
I heartily recommend this book. Joe Kissack comes across as a very humble man and in a day of abundant egos, that's refreshing. In addition, his take on the Mexicans' experience is generous and straight-to-the-point
