Back From The Dead: The Blythe Star story
Back From The Dead is Piia Wirsu and Mick Doleman’s account of the 1973 Blythe Star disaster and the crew’s survival at sea and in Tasmania. Based on the ABC podcast Expanse, it is a narrative history focused on the shipwreck and its aftermath.
At a glance
- Recounts the 1973 sinking of the coastal freighter Blythe Star and the crew’s survival after being lost at sea.
- Written by Piia Wirsu, producer and narrator of the ABC podcast season, with Mick Doleman, a surviving crew member.
- Covers the search, the crew’s time adrift and the story’s maritime-safety legacy.
Reference price: $36.99
Price checked: 13 Nov 2026
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Pros and cons
Pros
- A focused account of a major Australian maritime disaster, with a surviving crew member contributing alongside the podcast producer.
- The 352-page print length offers room for both the survival story and its aftermath.
Technical specifications
8 specifications| Publisher | ABC Books AU |
|---|---|
| Publication date | 29 July 2025 |
| Language | English |
| Print length | 352 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 0733343805 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-0733343803 |
| Weight listed | 450 g |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 15.24 x 5.08 x 22.86 cm |
Who is it for?
A good fit for
- Readers interested in Australian maritime history and real-life survival narratives.
- Listeners of the ABC podcast who want a book-length account of the Blythe Star story.
Less suited to
- Readers seeking fiction or a general survey of maritime history rather than a detailed account of one shipwreck.
Customer reviews on Amazon
- 5 stars
66% 66% - 4 stars
25% 25% - 3 stars
7% 7% - 2 stars
2% 2% - 1 star
0% 0%
Aggregate ratings lean positive, with most ratings in the four- or five-star categories, alongside a smaller share of three- and two-star ratings. This offers a generally favourable but not uniformly positive signal for readers considering the account. No written feedback is supplied here, so the reasons behind those ratings are unknown.
Frequently asked questions
What is Back From The Dead about?
It tells the story of the 1973 Blythe Star disaster, including the sinking, the crew’s survival and the aftermath.
Who wrote the book?
It was written by Piia Wirsu, producer and narrator of the related ABC podcast season, with Mick Doleman, a surviving crew member.
How long is the book?
The listing gives a print length of 352 pages.
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