Rating: 
Summary: Beyond The Ordinary
Review: More than just a book, this is a chance to experience, to some degree, second hand, what the first single handed around-the-world sailors experienced. Peter Nichols writes brilliantly about a sailing race, one of the greatest ever really. I knew parts of the story, but this book puts it together and in prospective. Nichols is a gifted writer and is writing about something that he obviously feels passionate about, a perfect combination. There is a bio of each of the racers, good descriptions of the boats and notes from their logs. The story unfolds as the race progresses and has many shocking surprises in the end. Most importantly, you learn about the psychology and philosophy of the very different characters as they wrestle with the turbulent sea and the huge mental challenge they face. You don't have to be a sailor to understand or love this book.
Rating:
Summary: A non-sailor's view
Review: One day I heard a couple of book reviewers on the radio rattle off a list of good books, and I jotted this title down. When I got the book, I was uncertain as to whether I would enjoy it. The only sailing I had ever done was out in SF Bay as a passenger whose assigned job was to stay out of the way. But after reading the book, my view of sailing has changed. This book utterly grabbed me. I couldn't put it down and I relished every word. While the book is a true story, it isn't just a documentary. It is full of stories and portraits of people who are more fantastic than fiction. I think that not knowing anything about the Golden Globe race kept me in greater suspense. This was a page-turner 'til the very end. I applaud Peter Nichols and his writing style. I read Perfect Storm and found it sterile and unemotional. This book was just the opposite. It was invigorating, enriching and human.
Rating:
Summary: 3 Cheers for Knox-Johnson, Tetley, Crowhurst, Montessier...
Review: Peter Nichol's has become a favorite author because he knows how to make a story come alive. This is an amazing book about amazing people. It is very hard to put down. Although it is about solo navigation around the world, the introduction to the people that fill the pages is fascinating and compelling. These people, from various walks of life and with different temperaments, embarked upon an unforgetable and haunting journey. This book prompted reading the various accounts of this race. Outstanding read.
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