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A review by janaroos
A Voyage for Madmen by Peter Nichols
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.