Salt, Sweat, Tears: The Men Who Rowed the Oceans

by Adam Rackley, Gildart Jackson (Narrator)

Fewer people have rowed across the Atlantic Ocean than have climbed Mount Everest. Adam Rackley is among them. For seventy days, he and his rowing partner ate, slept, and rowed in a boat seven meters long and two meters wide, in one of the world's most extreme environments. This is his story of adventure, endurance, and self-discovery. They were following in the wake of pioneers. In 1896, a pair of Norwegian fisherman crossed the 2,500 miles in a wooden fishing dory-and their record stood for 114 years. John Fairfax, a smuggler, gambler, and shark hunter, was the first to complete the feat single-handedly in 1969. Others have followed; some have not survived the attempt. This is their story, too.

Genres: Adventure, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Memoir

Audio CD

First published March 6, 2014

Reviews

[Donna]

I don't know whether to say that these men were courageous, fearless, adventurous, or just plain insane. This was crazy. The fact that they wanted to do this baffles me because I'm not sure my question of "why" was ever answered satisfactorily enough to stop asking myself that question through this book.

This was about their journeys on the ocean mixed sporadically with a little bit of history of those who have gone on before them. I'm not sure I liked all the toggling, but it was fascinating because this seemed so unreal to me.

[Pandafeet]

A brilliantly written uplifting sports book that goes beyond that on every level. Completely recommended you don't even need to row or to think that this book would be your thing. In parts mesmerising, exciting, affirming. A real sense of adventure and fragility, human spirit tested, superb accounts of previous ocean rows are interwoven with the one being told by Rackley from first hand experience.
Won't give spoilers but will say that this book is brilliant.

[Anna]

Ten eerste: ik ga NOOIT een oceaan over roeien.

Ten tweede: gezien het minuscule aantal mensen dat ooit succesvol een oceaan over heeft geroeid is de kans dat eentje ervan behoorlijk kan schrijven niet zo heel groot. (Zie ook: de vele zeer middelmatige boeken door oceaanzeilers.) Maar Rackley kan dat wel en dat was een fijne verrassing. Had 'ie niet hoeven doen, het gaat tenslotte over roeien dus ik had het toch wel gelezen.

Het nuttige van een activiteit als oceaanroeien vanuit het perspectief van een historicus is dat alle roeiers gedetailleerde logboeken bijhielden. Ze moesten wel, anders weet je namelijk niet meer waar je bent. En ze wilden ook wel, want schijnbaar is er niet veel anders te doen in een klein bootje midden op zee. Door die logboeken kon Rackley veel oversteekpogingen gedetailleerd reconstrueren. Daarnaast heeft hij ook met bijna alle nog levende roeiers gepraat (en anders hun nabestaanden). Dat is leuk, voor de afwisseling.

Dat er mensen zijn die vrijwillig voor op zijn minst anderhalve maand in een wiebelige isoleercel stappen met 10% overlijdenskans en 100% kans op blaren, zweren, en een dieet van gevriesdroogde poederzakjes... fascinerend.

[Dee Mills]

I skipped through the book and only read the chapters dealing with the current rowing adventure. The author also wrote about various historical rowing feats of the Atlantic, but those did not interest me.

The current adventure was absorbing and put me right out there, rowing with them. Good read, but with the caveat that I only read part of the book.

[Steve Granger]

Adam Rackley provides a rich reflection on his race across the Atlantic as a member of a two-man row team. Interwoven into his account is a mix of historical tales and details of record breaking feats of either bravery or insanity, but probably both. Recommended for those interested in athletic feats of accomplishment.

[Yanko]

This book covers the author's experience rowing the Atlantic from Spain to Barbados in a two-man crew as well as the history of the feat, its successes and failures. Engaging, to say the least, this read makes you question much of the established comforts of daily life and brain processing of your micro nuisances. Following is a quote from the book:

"I desperately try to summon the motivation to peel myself out of bed make work for 8 AM. I sit and stare at the screen all day waiting for 5.30 to arrive. But after my first board meeting there's some feedback from the chairman. I didn't put on a good show. Even the chairman can see that my heart's not in it. I must draw a line under this. I can't pretend any longer. I need to get out. I write my resignation letter. swallow hard, and break the news to Charles. He's shocked, and initially sympathetic; he's hoping that I'll have a change of hearts. When it's clear that I wont, he's furious; I've let him down. But better that than let myself down.
Now the thick mist has cleared and from this vantage point I can see mountains and rolling hills, rivers meandering down to the sea, huge cities, barren deserts and impenetrable jungle. There are billions of people, all going about their daily lives; living, loving and Dreaming. I see it all clearly and I understand what I need to do. When my time comes to an end, I need to know that I've made the most of the few precious years that I was given."

[Jeff Mauch]

It takes a very peculiar person to decide they want to row a boat across an ocean. I've read of the loneliness of people that have been stranded in life rafts and boats for incredibly long lengths of time and for someone to choose that desolation is on a level that I find hard to comprehend. This was a very well written history of those that forged these paths across such great expanses and why they did it. Being that the author has fairly recently rowed across the Atlantic ocean with a partner gave the stories a lot of depth from his own experiences. I wasn't sure if I would find this book interesting when I first picked it up, but honestly it was enthralling. I read this in basically 2 sittings because I just couldn't put it down. What really got my attention is that while the modern rowboats used in recent years have a lot of bells and whistles, sleeping cabins, storage etc, the first couple of guys accomplish this feat did in in what is essentially a wooden rowboat you would find on any inland lake. Not only did they row across the ocean in such a boat during the 1890's, but they did it across the north Atlantic from New York to Ireland and dodged icebergs and such in the same area where the Titanic would sick approx 20 years later. Overall a fascinating book and one of the better non-fiction adventure stories I've read in a while.

[Vineet Hans]

I think the review of this book is best put by Peter Nicholas: ‘We need the people who climb mountains, cross oceans, voyage to the moon, to tell us who we are. Adam Rackley is one of the very few who has both the literary skill and the sensory intelligence to make the rest of us understand what exactly is out there, and why. In this gripping and superior book he is both seaman and historian, telling the story of his own voyage and the rowers who have gone before him’

Very inspirational and an honest book.

Adam makes a conscious effort to not glorify even a bit of what he has achieved himself rather wants to give a clear perspective of what goes into doing something great. Having rowed the ocean himself, he pens down the journey in a way which makes the reader experience what he endured: Salt, sweat and tears.

Adam also gives an astute historical account of other rowers after a thorough research.

[Cyrus]

Interesting book about the people who have rowed across oceans. This is a story of grit and determination and endurance. I find these tales inspirational but I am not sure that I would like to actually row across the ocean. It takes a very special kind of person to put themselves through this kind of hardship. I could see crossing an ocean, but I would rather do it under sail and with a bit more comfort and safety.

One thing I did like was the way that being out on the ocean narrows one's focus. The worries of life on dry land fade away as you get involved in the routine of ship keeping. The realities of day to day life on a boat in the ocean necessitate that you concentrate on what you are doing, right now, to keep your boat afloat and moving. I remember this from my Navy days. At sea, you develop a routine and focus on the things that are important right then, it is almost like a form of meditation. This book reminded me of that feeling.

[Bartholomew Timm]

An excellent first hand account of what it takes, and what it is like, to row across the ocean. More people have climbed Mt. Everest than have rowed across the Atlantic Ocean. No wonder. The ocean is nothing to be trifled with, and that is apparent from the stories that Adam Rackley about his journey with his partner Jimmy, and the stories he weaves in and out about the others who have made the journey. Physically demanding, for certain, it is also extremely difficult psychologically. This is a well-researched and well-written book, without the hyperbole you might expect. Rackley simply recounts the stories, and the reality is enough. A fascinating read, especially if you like to read about those who like the extremes. While I will never row the Atlantic, after reading this book, I feel as if I have.

[Roooy]

Ocean Rowing

The tales of all the other ocean rowers in this book read so much better, I read those years ago. I found the authors experience a little boring over stretched and a little vain he certainly wants you to know it is his trip, no wonder his partner didn't want to add his thoughts. Yes a very tough and dangerous thing to do, but, I came away with the feeling this chap was in it for his 15 minuets of fame, alas you are not going to get that admiration when its been done so many times. If this story hadn't been surrounded by the other ocean rowing stories I would have put it down sooner than I did.

[Nanci Robertson]

Much better than I expected! I had no idea of how many people have rowed (small) boats across the oceans. Each chapter, especially in the first half of the book, is about a different rowing voyage, many with deadly or life threatening results. And the rowers of ALL attempts lived through extreme hardships that most of the rest of us will never experience in our lives. Finally, the author, Adam Rackley, tells his personal story of rowing across the Atlantic. His description includes problems he incurred, fears and doubts, communication issues with his rowing partner, and more. Very interesting read!

[John Hitchcock]

My friend Raphael gave this book to me. He read it as he put together his project to row the Atlantic.

As I am reading I think of him then as he was imagining, and now as he is living his dream, a thousand kilometres off the coast of Namibia.

He knew what he was in for. The stories in the book speak of determination, courage and hardship along with beauty, peace and contemplation.

"The crossing was tougher than we ever imagined it would be. Within a fortnight we were well adjusted to the sleep deprivation and the exertion of rowing for 12 hours a day, much of it in the searing heat. Managing our bodies was a constant battle, but the greatest challenge was mental" (p 205).

Courage.

[Bob]

Adam Rackley rowed a small boat across the Atlantic and lived to tell the story. He included much more than his own considerable experience by writing about other voyagers who have accomplished, or fatally attempted, similar journeys.

This was a well written and very interesting book. About some truly crazy people. I don't mind going onto the ocean on a cruise ship, but in a row boat???? No way!!!!

[Aaron Schmidt]

Wow, what an accomplishment. Rowing across an ocean...

This book covers the history of the people who rowed the oceans. Interspliced with the history is the personal story of one such crossing. I am awed by the mental discipline involved in the attempt. The author writes about rowing 12 hours a day, for months. As someone who often has a hard time getting up to exercise after 8 hours of sleep, the idea of not getting more than 90 mins of sleep at a time it a bit hard to imagine.

[James]

I never even knew this type of thing existed, and the fact that people actually rowed across oceans is incredible.

A nice account of various expeditions, including the author’s own, in which he intersperses between the chapters on others’ attempts.

Fascinating. I can see how it would be life changing.

[Pozak Joe]

If you think you're tough just read this book!

This book can be dry at times (pun intended) but tells the story of some brave and crazy men who did the unthinkable.

I can't say it not absolutely crazy to do what they did or even brave but men have always looked for the biggest challenge the world has to offer...and it just doesn't get any bigger than this!

[Jeremy]

The history in the book was fascinating, but it suffered (as many similar books do) from the author'a personal story being less interesting than the other stories they are telling. I would add on an extra half star I think, the topic is incredible!

[Pat]

very readable Adams story and the other rowers through the years are brought to life with just enough detail about the lagistics involved , he delves into there lives on land as well , bringing each crossing full circle including his own

[Kayla]

This book made me sleep well at night, being grateful for my comfy bed and not out in the torrential, unforgiving ocean. Like the men who climbed big mountains and traveled to the ends of the earth, I could see rowing an ocean being an incredible and humbling experience.

[David Nazzaro]

An easy and enjoyable read. The author's story of rowing across the ocean did not interest me as much as the ones that came before. I have a nagging feeling the author wrote this book to fill a need for acknowledgement.

[George]

Tremendous book about tremendous achievement(s). The structure of this book was is its greatest strength and separates it from other books about human perseverance. Only wish the epilogue was a bit longer…

[Lynne Wasinski]

I enjoyed this book very much but then my brother was an ocean rower and holds a world record and my cousin is mentioned in the book so the content was of interest to me.

[Viktoria]

Enjoyed the combination of the author's rowing adventure and history of ocean voyages. Inspirational.

[Loveland Library Teens]

This true-life adventure about rowing across the Atlantic Ocean is great for readers who enjoy survival stories like Hatchet.

[Jan Stanton]

This nonfiction book was a great adventure story and I think the more interesting book I have read all year. I felt like I was right there with the rowers. Yes, I felt their pain and joys!

[Cal Morstad]

These guys were nuts

[Darragh Faughey]

Wonderful book which compiles stories of the crossing of the Atlantic Ocean. You don't have to be into rowing to enjoy this book. The sense of adventure and danger leaps from the pages!

[Sara]

These people are crazy!

[Carl Carlson]

Interesting read about the history of rowing oceans with first-hand insight into the voyage by the author.