Rating: 
Summary: Insanity, viewed from the inside
Review: Towards the end, reading Crowhurst's last log entries, I worried that I myself might come unhinged.This is not a sailing book -- it is a detective story about what pressure and isolation can do to the human mind. The authors do a wonderful job of assembling and presenting the evidence. It doesn't matter at all that you know the complete story before you start: A guy's marriage and business ventures are in shambles; he hoodwinks a town into building him a bad plywood trimaran for an around-the-world race; he gets scared and fakes everything by staying in the Atlantic and sailing in circles; he goes nuts and walks overboard.
An amazing study of the human mind under pressure -- I commend the authors. This book will shake you up. The necessary antidote is "The Long Way" by Bernard Moitessier, a lyrical story about the same race by the man who was winning it, but was so raptured by the Deep that he forfeited the prize and just kept on sailing...
Rating:
Summary: A terrifying saga of human frailty.
Review: With the stubbornness of Ahab and reckless disregard for family and friends Donald Crowhurst signs his death warrant the moment he sets sail around the world. This well researched and superbly presented true story serves as a lesson for all of us: Only in the company of others can there be comfort, solace and truth. This is an unforgettable tale of how one man's failure to accomplish his dream led to insanity and self destruction. Yes, there is a hero , Mrs. Crowhurst. This is a very thoughtful, insightful book that leaves the reader wondering how he himself would have behaved under similar circumstances. Deserves highest rating.
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