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The Last Man Across the Atlantic
In 1960, when Sir Francis Chichester first raced singlehanded across the Atlantic, it was widely regarded as an insane stunt. Nowadays, the Singlehanded Transatlantic Race is not only accorded the greatest of respect but is also recognised as a true test of stamina and seamanship.
Almost half a century after Chichester's achievement, amateur sailor Paul Heiney entered the race to prove that the Corinthian spirit of the transatlantic pioneers can still get you from one side of the Atlantic to the other - if you try hard enough.
The Last Man Across the Atlantic is an honest account of what it is like to be out there alone. Even the strongest yacht takes a battering after 3,000 miles and there's no pit stop for repairs. Sails are torn, water goes sour, the last apple turns to mush and there's still three weeks to go before sight of land.
Paul Heiney fully expected to be the last man across the Atlantic and said it didn't bother him in the slightest. 'It's enough to be able to say you climbed Everest without having to run up it as well. And this is the sailing Everest - for me, anyway.'
Almost half a century after Chichester's achievement, amateur sailor Paul Heiney entered the race to prove that the Corinthian spirit of the transatlantic pioneers can still get you from one side of the Atlantic to the other - if you try hard enough.
The Last Man Across the Atlantic is an honest account of what it is like to be out there alone. Even the strongest yacht takes a battering after 3,000 miles and there's no pit stop for repairs. Sails are torn, water goes sour, the last apple turns to mush and there's still three weeks to go before sight of land.
Paul Heiney fully expected to be the last man across the Atlantic and said it didn't bother him in the slightest. 'It's enough to be able to say you climbed Everest without having to run up it as well. And this is the sailing Everest - for me, anyway.'
237 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2005
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
January 7, 2019
If you're looking for a book filled with hair-raising moments, and death defying feats, pass this one up. But if you like reading about a 56 year old man who is not a racing sailor but joins a race anyway, you've found the right book.
He joined the race because he wanted to sail the Atlantic single-handedly ... and he did. He doesn't drown the reader in a lot of sailing lingo. It is mostly a book about his thoughts, his feelings, his disappointments, and his joys, while at sea. I liked the book 'cause I don't mind a slow, easy book ... kind of like having a leisurely cuppa with a friend.
3 Stars = I liked the book. I'm glad I read it.
He joined the race because he wanted to sail the Atlantic single-handedly ... and he did. He doesn't drown the reader in a lot of sailing lingo. It is mostly a book about his thoughts, his feelings, his disappointments, and his joys, while at sea. I liked the book 'cause I don't mind a slow, easy book ... kind of like having a leisurely cuppa with a friend.
3 Stars = I liked the book. I'm glad I read it.
Displaying 1 of 1 review