Olaf: A Biography

From a cabin boy on a China Tea Clipper to a titan of the shipping industry, Olaf Sorenson's life was a saga of resilience and cunning. Fleeing an abusive father at fifteen, Olaf braved the treacherous seas from Europe to the Far East, and ultimately to Japan. Drugged, robbed and left for dead, he was abandoned by his ship. Overcoming this, he built a shipping empire across the Western Pacific, weathering two world wars. He outwitted the Japanese army in Singapore, where his capture led to a daring escape. During his temporary exile in Malaysia, he formed a partnership with General Douglas MacArthur, turning his business network into a vital espionage ring. The author met Olaf in the late fifties and for a brief time became part of his family. In this biography he unveils the story of the most fearsome and fascinating man he ever knew. Read more