When Ben Tucker and his kid brother Matt decided to sail south from Tasmania, looking for icebergs in a small home-built yacht, their father Jon was allowed to come along as their cabin-boy, on a promise of good behaviour.
The unfolding adventure took them through thick pack ice to become trapped at the windiest location on the planet, a remote location in East Antarctica.
"...an exceptional work by a gifted writer.... The story is so compelling that one wishes it not to end." (Janet Upcher - reviewer)
"...a textured, intriguing,exhilarating story." (Rachel Edwards - book show host).
"...up there with the best. Jon's writing style is perfect." (Don McIntyre - adventurer, columnist).
"Snow Petrel consists of two quite separate books. One is an extraordinary tale of sailing - well outside the genre of most sailing books. The second provides a wonderful insight into a very special family." (Dr Nick Gales - Director, Australian Antarctic Division).
Jon Tucker is a former Kiwi teacher-turned-adventurer. He and his wife Barbara brought up their five sons aboard their traditional ketch 'New Zealand Maid', sailing Pacific waters.
Also by Jon Tucker - 'Those Snake Island Kids', and three sequels.
A fabulous read about a kiwi family's journey to the Antarctic. It has a lot of sailing terms, not all of which are explained but if you don't want to look them up your can still read it and focus on a tale of adventure, endurance, bravery and family relationships. If you're a sailor it's also a great insight into boat prep and handling for long and dangerous voyages.