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rehexen's review
4.0
Well-researched, well-written account of the 1968 round-the-world race, and the toll it takes on the mind. Inspiring, terrifying, and tragic in equal measures. Recommended to anyone fascinated by seafaring.
slagathorrex's review
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.0
Exciting and informative, wouldn't recommend for people who know nothing about sailing unless they want to look up a lot of terminology. Not awfully hard but might also not be as engaging to them.
murray_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicide
janaroos's review
5.0
*BC, 0-499, 500-999, 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500, 1600, 1700, 1800-1849, 1850-1899, 1910, 1920, 1930, 1940, 1950, 1960, 1970, 1980, 1990, 2000, 2010, 2020, The Future
An engrossing dissection of the race to be the first single-handed sailor to circumnavigate the world (via the Southern Ocean) without stopping. Like [b:Godforsaken Sea|113401|Godforsaken Sea The True Story of a Race Through the World's Most Dangerous Waters|Derek Lundy|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1320403404l/113401._SY75_.jpg|109177], the story focuses more on the competitors than on the particulars of their races, barring some major storms or challenges along the way. Nichols paints a nuanced picture of each of the nine men involved, along with their motivations and personalities. It is amazing how well he brings to life the by-definition solitary experiences of each of these sailors.
Nichols also throws well-earned shade at the people encouraging sailors who were utterly underprepared and underequipped for a life-threatening voyage. The unraveling mental states of most of the competitors showed that the sea was only half the danger faced, and the Golden Globe race deserves to continue to live on in ignominy.
An engrossing dissection of the race to be the first single-handed sailor to circumnavigate the world (via the Southern Ocean) without stopping. Like [b:Godforsaken Sea|113401|Godforsaken Sea The True Story of a Race Through the World's Most Dangerous Waters|Derek Lundy|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1320403404l/113401._SY75_.jpg|109177], the story focuses more on the competitors than on the particulars of their races, barring some major storms or challenges along the way. Nichols paints a nuanced picture of each of the nine men involved, along with their motivations and personalities. It is amazing how well he brings to life the by-definition solitary experiences of each of these sailors.
Nichols also throws well-earned shade at the people encouraging sailors who were utterly underprepared and underequipped for a life-threatening voyage. The unraveling mental states of most of the competitors showed that the sea was only half the danger faced, and the Golden Globe race deserves to continue to live on in ignominy.
rolandsquire's review against another edition
4.0
Sailing has never appealed to me at all. The sea seems to have a special draw to some people. This book doesn’t pander to people’s lack of sailing knowledge. It does very little to explain various parts of sailing vernacular. Aside from that this book tells a great story which will have you wanting to read through it as quickly as possible to find out the end. It made me gasp audibly twice which is always good.
jake2918's review
adventurous
inspiring
medium-paced
4.25
As for sailing around the world books this one is my favorite. I read The Long Way by Bernard M, and A world of my own by Robin Knox-Johnson, both about the same Golden Globe Race first. Information overlap was minimal, I recommend reading all three.