Two Against Cape Horn: A Tale of High Adventure at Sea in One of the Least Known Parts of the World

by Hal Roth

Tells of two veteran sailors who set out to sail to a little-known archipelago and then around Cape Horn and succeeded only after their boat was wrecked on their first attempt.

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction, Adventure

288 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1978

Reviews

[Chris Flodberg · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm surprised this is getting such good reviews. "A Tale of High Adventure at Sea..."
Very little happens in this book. Plenty of nautical jargon and some interesting accounts of South American culture just isn't enough to keep this book afloat. The so called adventure is neither exciting, perilous, or threatening in any visceral way. The book in a nutshell: Ship sails down the coast; gets grounded on an island that has plenty of food and vegetation. Nobody is hurt, nothing happens, low stakes, and quite quickly a naval ship finds them after what feels like a rather uneventful couple of days and they are rescued. A navy doctor even expresses disappointment that the crew is in fine health. zzzz. Following this rather short part of the book, there is an exhaustive description of fixing the gash with fibreglass. Then they sail back around the horn with no event. Excruciatingly dull explanation of how to make a particular South American food. I don't understand why this book was written. Only worth it for the bits of history/culture. There are vastly better 'adventure' non-fiction books.

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Much of the sailing jargon was still a bit over my head but very timely for the adventure I find myself on and a remarkable story none the less. Would certainly recommend to any friends who make sailing a part of their lives.

[Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting.