Rating: 
Summary: Circumnavigating the Marriage?
Review: Alayne Main writes descriptively (and reasonably well) about her personal experiences and fears while traveling around the world with new husband Alec on their catamaran Madeline. The narration, initially interesting to those that might be contemplating a similar voyage, degenerates into a litany of whines and emotional outbursts that make for somewhat tiresome reading. (Pity me on my trip of a lifetime!) Alayne makes it clear that the dream to sail the globe is her husband's, not hers, and any strength or determination displayed in the journey is rooted not in self-confidence or a bonafide thirst for adventure or experience, but in marital obligation. It's Jacques Cousteau meets Oprah Winfrey on the high seas. Will the boat or the marriage end up on the rocks first? That the voyage is completed successfully -- despite Alayne's plethora of fears, emotional neediness, and lack of mechanical skills -- is a testament to Alec's patience and genuine care for his wife. (One wonders if Alec will publish a companion book of how to still enjoy oneself while cruising shackled to an irrational killjoy.) Overall, the thrill-seeking, wannabe-sailor reader will certainly reconsider any romantic notions of sailing off into the sunset with their spouse or partner, and perhaps contemplate a solo voyage instead.
Rating: 
Summary: Two great tales for the price of one.
Review: Alayne Main wrote this inspiring and exciting tale with an almost painfully honest eye. It is really about two trips - both of them fascinating and entertaining. Trip one is about two novice cruisers completing an unconventional circumnavigation in an unconventional boat (a catamaran - hooray!). Trip two details the changes and compromises (familiar to many couples) that take place when you have two distinct personalities moving towards the same goal. The photographs are excellent and are actually located right in text that pertains to them (why is this so rare?). Alaynes insights about many things, from scoffing at slavish adherence to "conventional wisdom" to intricate relationships with cruising friends, are priceless. This one is a true winner.
Rating:
Summary: A BOOK FOR ALL REASONS
Review: As we have embarked on our own sailing adventure;both my wife and I having read"A SAILING PROMISE", the accounts of Alayne and Alex aboard Madeline.We come away with an insite into cruising that we had never before discovered.The presures and pain of relationships on land are difficult enough;throw in a circumnavigation and the plot thickens.We both found it a solid read that paralleled our own dreams of far horizons and exoctic cultures.From a mans point of view I can only suggest, all skippers read this book to preserve their own sanity ;when we can't quite understand why our fist mates do what they do. It could only have been written by a woman. I'm glad she did.From page one on you are lead along and have a hard time putting it down ,with a need to know what is ahead. We loved it and put it right up ther with Tania Aibe's "Maiden Voyage" another great read.
Rating:
Summary: A BOOK FOR ALL REASONS
Review: As we have embarked on our own sailing adventure;both my wife and I having read"A SAILING PROMISE", the accounts of Alayne and Alex aboard Madeline.We come away with an insite into cruising that we had never before discovered.The presures and pain of relationships on land are difficult enough;throw in a circumnavigation and the plot thickens.We both found it a solid read that paralleled our own dreams of far horizons and exoctic cultures.From a mans point of view I can only suggest, all skippers read this book to preserve their own sanity ;when we can't quite understand why our fist mates do what they do. It could only have been written by a woman. I'm glad she did.From page one on you are lead along and have a hard time putting it down ,with a need to know what is ahead. We loved it and put it right up ther with Tania Aibe's "Maiden Voyage" another great read.
Rating:
Summary: Great book for men and women alike
Review: Both men and women will benefit from reading this book about sailing around the world and the differences between men and women in their perceptions, reactions and coping with the unknown. This book really helped my husband (who loves adventure, sailing and isolation) understand my fears and my need for outside friendships. We both laughed at the similarities in our experiences with those of Alayne and Alec in coming to terms with being two separate people trying to compromise and work together. This isn't just a book about sailing - it's a book about making loving relationships work at the worst of times. All couples (sailors or not) will benefit from reading it. I loved the frank and honest way it was written. It took a lot of guts to write about their experiences in this way.
Rating:
Summary: Inspirational, educational and poignant
Review: Both my wife and i enjoyed this book. It is filled with the days' little activities common to all us crusiers, with honest and emotional insite into life aboard. Well written, we are waiting for the next one, Alayne.
Rating:
Summary: A must-read for sailors, fascinating for anyone
Review: I am a "sailing wife", the one who has the irrational fears even though I love the challenge and excitement, the one who does not have the mechanical prowess to fix the engine or come up with an ingenious solution to failed rigging. Although my husband and I have limited our cruising thus far to Lake Ontario and the St Lawrence, we plan to frequent more exotic cruising grounds in our future. I found this book to be incredibly inspirational and comforting. I was looking for a book that would tell the story of what it is really like to cruise the world, and this book provided extra's I was not expecting. Alayne not only provided a glimpse into the unimaginable beauty of remote locales and their people, she also conveyed the growth in herself and in her relationship with her husband that I can already relate to in smaller scale cruising. By the end of this book, Alayne and Alec Main became heroes to me. In the beginning, I relished this book selfishly. But I found that I could not contain myself from sharing Alayne's adventures with friends and family. My husband is reading it now, interested to learn more about what I am going through in our escapades. Friends who have never even sailed have asked to borrow the book, as well, proving that this is not a story that would be of interest to sailors alone. Bravo to Alayne for having the courage and strength to publish her story for anyone who dreams of cruising the world, but especially for the women who love their husbands and love sailing with them.
Rating:
Summary: Perfect Timing
Review: I bought the book by Alayne Main directly from her at the Strictly Sail boat show in Chicago on February 3rd, 2001, after attending a seminar presided over by her. She autographed the book for us. The seminar was about preparing your boat with medical supplies and I had no prior knowledge of Alayne and/or Alec. While purchasing the book, I made an off-hand comment that probably sounded rude to Alayne. When I saw the cover, "Is that you?", I asked. I hope she wasn't offended. The pretty long haired girl on the cover..I now know to be the mature and life knowing person who wrote this wonderful book. My wife and I had "split-up" that day to attend different seminars so that we could learn as much as possible about long distance cruising, since we are planning to set out on our adventure this fall. I was lucky enough to "draw" her seminar. Around the world has also been a dream of ours, but I would have to admit that before I read this book, I really thought of it as an impossible dream. The book has changed my perspective. I couldn't put the book down..finished reading it this morning, as I pulled an "all nighter" with my Father-in-Law, who is in his last stage of prostate cancer. Ergo, the title of my review, "Perfect Timing". Listening to his throaty gurgles, amidst heavy and stacato snoring, I had somehow felt sorry for myself, having to stomach what has really been NOTHING in comparison to what most peope have to endure during their lifetimes. Alayne's book talked to me because I could relate to the sailing descriptions and the inner turmoil and fears that she described so perceptively. My Father-in Law's condition brought home life's realities at the same time. Life really is too short isn't it? This book helped me to appreciate what I have and what is out there yet to see in this very small world. Who could ever be afraid to see their world, admire it's natural beauty, and learn all that's possible about the wonder of humanity? And in the midst of this, learn more about oneself. As a result of this reading I will never again wince at the sound of howling wind in my shrouds, or fear an unknown and probably made up pirate who will attack my ship, my wife, my being. Life is too short and wonderful to fret. Alayne's courage is infectious. I hope I caught it BAD!!! I obviously recommend this book. Anyone who sails on the water and/or swims through lifes' adventures will love what they get out of this book.Thank you Alayne and Alec for sharing so much!
Rating:
Summary: How dreams translate into reality
Review: I just finished reading this book in record time. I couldn't put it down! When my wife gave it to me, I was a bit worried that it would be more about feelings and less about adventure. But I was wrong! The cover was correct when it says that Man, Woman, Sailor or not, everybody, especially those in a relationship will love this book! And if you love sailing and adventure, this is a must read. Congrats to Alayne and Alec!
Rating:
Summary: Surprised!
Review: I just finished reading this book in record time. I couldn't put it down! When my wife gave it to me, I was a bit worried that it would be more about feelings and less about adventure. But I was wrong! The cover was correct when it says that Man, Woman, Sailor or not, everybody, especially those in a relationship will love this book! And if you love sailing and adventure, this is a must read. Congrats to Alayne and Alec!
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