Brave or Stupid

by Tracey Christiansen, Yanne Larsson, Carl Andersson

When you read about someone sailing around the world, it’s usually a dotcom millionaire or a professional adventurer. Brave or Stupid? tells a very different story. It’s an everyman tale about a middle-aged, seasick electrician with no money who suddenly and for no reason decides to sail around the world. It’s the story of Yanne Larsson, a man with a dream born not out of a passion for sailing or a search for identity or the need for a challenge. This is the story of a simple handshake. One of the old-fashion iron-clad ones.

A casual suggestion over wine with best friend Carl Andersson, turns into one of those ideas that just won’t go away. Twenty-four hours later, a handshake decides it. The little details – buying a boat, learning to sail and saving up money – take five years, but in 2002, the two men leave Helsingborg, Sweden on a three-year voyage that will change them forever. Storms, tropical diseases, drama, love and comedy - their story is an adventure like no other. Brave or Stupid? is a book for anyone who has ever gone beyond what is sensible and realistic to discover a whole new world outside and a whole new person inside. This is a book for anyone who still believes in the power of dreams. And handshakes...

Genres: Adventure

563 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 18, 2014

About the author

British born Tracey Christiansen is a run-off-her-feet mother of two girls, caretaker to one cat and mostly uncomplaining wife to her Danish husband.
After travelling the globe for nearly three decades, learning a smattering of languages en route, Tracey has settled in Sweden, unpacked the boxes from her numerous sojourns and hung the curtains, finally allowing her time to concentrate on writing fulltime. She’s translated and published articles and short stories for a variety of publications and was just putting the finishing touches to her first novel when Janne and Carl asked her to write their story of how two seasick electricians took up the life-changing challenge to learn to sail and circumnavigate the globe. After being plied with copious glasses of wine, it seems she acquiesced.
When not nagging her husband of 25 years or acting as social secretary and chauffeur to her children, she enjoys reading, drinking cocktails, napping on the sofa and embarrassing her teenage daughters by dancing in public.

Reviews

[Sally Russell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully written tale of friendship, adventure and travel which has made this landlubber seriously consider donning a life-jacket and learning to sail. The comical tone will keep you smiling, the description of far-off lands will have you reaching for the atlas - or Google Maps - and the interesting background to each destination will have you saying "I never knew that!"

All in all, a fantastic read which makes one cherish the time with the book and these two endearing men, whose epic journey comes vividly alive on every page. Would make a wonderful gift for anyone.

[Anita Larsson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bloody Awesome! Very Informative about the places they went to and the people they met. I laughed and cried at their adventures and mishaps. Not just a holiday read but something that inspires and encourages. The message I took from Brave or Stupid is the realisation that you're never too old to follow your dreams

[Sean Sexton · Rating 4 out of 5]

In "Brave or Stupid", two middle-aged Swedish electricans are visiting D-Day beaches in France and start talking about a WWII vet that they know who has sailed around the world on a sailboat. They spontaneously decide that the two of them should do the same--circumnavigate the world on a sailboat. They promise each other to carry through on the dream, shaking hands to cement the deal. The only problem is that neither of them knows how to sail.

This is the start of a long adventure that begins with Janne and Calle taking sailing lessons and looking for a boat to buy. They eventually buy a 42 foot Hallberg Rassy and leave several years later to begin their 3 year circumnavigation. In the process, they sail all of the way around the world, visiting many different countries, braving countless dangers, and making many new friends. (Not the least of whom is Janne's future wife Anita).

"Brave or Stupid" is a wonderfully inspirational story as well as a great sailing adventure. We learn that sailing around the world is neither easy nor safe. But Janne and Calle also demonstrate what amazing things can be accomplished through persistence and never letting go of a dream.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

So is it brave or stupid to plan an around-the-world sailing trip even though you don't know how to sail? In this book you find out it's a little of both. Two friends of retirement age have given themselves 5 years to get it done, the first few of which are for learning to sail, buying a "practice boat" and then a very nice sailboat. And then they proceeded to cross every degree of longitude with it. Pretty gutsy for sure. And the more sailing I do these days, the more I can appreciate how challenging this endeavor would be!

[Mark Skillman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I also have a dream to one day sail around the world. The adventures and experiences of Kalle and Janne on Albatross were so masterfully portrayed in this book that I felt more like crew than a casual reader. As my imagination went wild hearing their stories, it caused me to redouble my resolve to follow my dreams. Thanks for sharing!

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

All I can say is - do yourself a favor and read it

[Alar Mäerand · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are looking for a sea adventure to enjoy, then you can't go wrong here. As a side effect you might get infected to this hobby. The audiobook is very well narrated - really enjoyable.

[R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read a lot from this genre, and this is a very fun one.

[Rebekah Brandt · Rating 5 out of 5]

listened to this book with Matt, and it was something we looked forward to every night! SO good and reaffirms that I do not want to sail around the world.

[Carol Garland · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a non-sailor, this held my interest better than I thought it would.

[George · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished this book and it is bar none my favorite book to date. Calle and Yanne's adventure around the world is perfectly narrated. This book instills a new desire to achieve one's goal. I highly recommended reading it.

[Christine Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good story about their trip around the world. Honest and likeable. Obviously very capable blokes!

[Claire Greener · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read. fascinating insight into both how two men can achieve their dream and also into some of the people and small islands around the world. Kept me interested every page

[David Uebel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very Good Story

Well worth the time. Written in a first person, no BS way…entertaining journey and a fun read. Well done and Bravo!