Rating: 
Summary: Awesome writing and sensitivity
Review: From the opening poem by Sarah Zale to the final docking 8 years later, this book captivated me. I, too, am a sailor and I was captivated by Henry's honesty, direct approach and sensitivity. This is a must read for everyone who dreams of becoming adventuresome, those who already are adventurous and need a boost to buy the boat and get going, and armchair devotees of excitement. I loved it!
Rating: 
Summary: Way to much whining
Review: I am about a 3rd the way through this book and I am so sick of reading about this self centered woman. Everyone has regrets and makes mistakes but get over it. So many times her life is spared only by shear luck and a gardian angel. I doubt I will read on, it is to depressing.
Rating:
Summary: Not for those who love sailing
Review: I love to sail and was considering buying an SC31 which is why I was attracted to the book.Very little of this book has to do with sailing and in fact after slogging through it I know nothing about how the SC31 sails. My wife and daughter sail and I have read many books on sailing by women as well as men. This is one book I would not recommend to any person, male or female, whom you hope will want to try sailing. It is basically about a person who can't seem to make any relationship work and wants to share that aspect of their personal life, over and over. Most things are someone else's fault, and the charity of others is what keeps this odyssey going. This is a glass half empty book. I guess my assessment is negative because I was expecting a book on sailing.
Rating:
Summary: You'll feel queasy -- and it's not the waves
Review: I'm flabbergasted that someone with the guts to solo circumnavigate is such a whiner. Maybe that's her coping mechanism, but it's no fun reading endless pages of blame Dad, blame step-Dad, blame the daughters, blame the two ex-husbands, blame the current lovers, and (not often enough) blame herself. There are occasional bits of seafaring, but it's buried fathoms deep under tons of icky emotional exhibitionism. What should be an exhilarating adventure turns into a catalog of The Evil Postal Workers Who Won't Give Me My Mail, The Stupid Woman Who Didn't Style My Hair Right, The Total Strangers Who Won't Fawn Over Me, The Manufacturers Who Won't Give Me Free Stuff, etc. It's almost like her fuel is rage, not diesel.
Rating: 
Summary: a sailor and an artist
Review: Pat Henry's account of her eight year and one day odyssey, traveling solo around the world in a small sail boat is more than a nautical adventure story. Her descriptions are vivid, painterly; as one might expect from a woman who earns her spending money during the long journey by selling the colorful watercolors she paints of villages and harbors. Pat's courage, tenacity, and problem-solving skills are inspirational. That she embarked on this solitary journey in late middle age is remarkable. A beautiful exciting story about sailing, ports, and personal growth.
Rating:
Summary: Renewing my Spirit
Review: Thank you, Pat, for renewing my spirit and reminding me who I am. I couldn't put your book down, resonating with the inner and outer journeys you so openly share. In you I found a kindred soul. I too married ridiculously young, had children and divorced before educating myself and running a successful business which provided a very nice lifestyle, including extensive travel. I thought my life was finally on track. Then I lost just about everything -- primarily my sense of worth -- and fell into chronic depression. As a beacon lighting the way, your book woke me up. Your never-say-die attitude and determination to plow ahead ready or not reminded me of the spitfire that I used to be; ready to try anything and bursting with dreams and goals for the future. You've inspired me to stop hiding my light under a bushel and get back into the ring.
Rating:
Summary: Way to much whining
Review: This book is an inspiration to all of us with wanderlust and dreams of sailing across an ocean in a small boat. Over and over in Pat's book you get the feeling that " Maybe I can do this too!" Her extraordinary feat and her search for answers to life's biggest questions start from failure, self doubt, and financial disaster. She proves that you do not have to be rich, or a world class athlete ,to accomplish the most extraordinary dreams. This book is a good read, and it rings true. The heartfelt authenticity of the writing takes the reader beyond the nuts and bolts of gear, equipment and weather. Pat shows us what it feels like out there on the ocean, in a personal and real way.
Rating:
Summary: Authentic inspiration, for those with wanderlust
Review: This book is an inspiration to all of us with wanderlust and dreams of sailing across an ocean in a small boat. Over and over in Pat's book you get the feeling that " Maybe I can do this too!" Her extraordinary feat and her search for answers to life's biggest questions start from failure, self doubt, and financial disaster. She proves that you do not have to be rich, or a world class athlete ,to accomplish the most extraordinary dreams. This book is a good read, and it rings true. The heartfelt authenticity of the writing takes the reader beyond the nuts and bolts of gear, equipment and weather. Pat shows us what it feels like out there on the ocean, in a personal and real way.
Rating:
Summary: Authentic inspiration, for those with wanderlust
Review: This book is an inspiration to all of us with wanderlust and dreams of sailing across an ocean in a small boat. Over and over in Pat's book you get the feeling that " Maybe I can do this too!" Her extraordinary feat and her search for answers to life's biggest questions start from failure, self doubt, and financial disaster. She proves that you do not have to be rich, or a world class athlete ,to accomplish the most extraordinary dreams. This book is a good read, and it rings true. The heartfelt authenticity of the writing takes the reader beyond the nuts and bolts of gear, equipment and weather. Pat shows us what it feels like out there on the ocean, in a personal and real way.
Rating:
Summary: Read Between The Lines
Review: This book is one big rationalization from page one to the end.
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