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Escaping The Madness: A Circumnavigation Of Ireland By Sea Kayak
Do you ever long to escape the monotony and modern day madness of long distance commuting to a stressful job? The daily rat race, driven by materialistic possession’s shallow friendships and social networking. In a media driven world where false news, celebrity and sensationalism have become the norm. Is greed and avarice consuming and obscuring all the things that really matter in a life well lived? Escaping The Madness is the story of Paul Alexander’s journey to discover the richness of true human kindness and the beauty of nature while kayaking solo and unsupported 1200 miles around the island of Ireland. The book follows his adventure as he battles mountainous seas, treacherous headlands and swirling currents to discover hidden caves towering sea stacks and isolated beaches. The people he meets and the beauty of the natural world he encounters provide proof that a simpler more sustainable existence is the answer to true happiness.(All proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated to Muscular Dystrophy Society Ireland Reg Charity 20012038).
187 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 23, 2020
2 people are currently reading
3 people want to read
About the author
Paul Alexander
125 books43 followersBesides the bestselling Kindle Singles Murdered, Accused, and Homicidal, Paul Alexander has published eight previous books of nonfiction: Ariel Ascending: Writings About Sylvia Plath; Rough Magic, a biography of Plath; Boulevard of Broken Dreams: The Life, Times, and Legend of James Dean, the bestseller that has been published in 10 countries; Death and Disaster: The Rise of the Warhol Empire and the Race For Andy’s Millions; Man of the People: The Life of John McCain; The Candidate, a chronicle of John Kerry’s presidential campaign; and Machiavelli’s Shadow: The Rise and Fall of Karl Rove.
A former reporter for Time, Alexander has published journalism in The New York Times, The New York Times Magazine, New York, The Nation, The Village Voice, Salon, Worth, The New York Observer, George, Cosmopolitan, More, Interview, ARTnews, Mirabella, Premiere, Out, The Advocate, Travel & Leisure, The Los Angeles Times Book Review, Biography, Men’s Journal, Best Life, The New York Review of Books, The Daily Beast, and Rolling Stone.
Shane Salerno’s forthcoming feature documentary Salinger is based on Alexander’s biography of J.D. Salinger. Alexander is the author of the plays Strangers in the Land of Canaan and Edge, which he directed. Developed at The Actors Studio, Edge, the critically acclaimed one-woman play about Sylvia Plath, ran in New York, London, Los Angeles, among other cities. Edge toured Australia and New Zealand and enjoyed a second run in New York. In all, Torn performed Edge 400 times. Alexander is also the director of Brothers in Arms, a documentary film about John Kerry and Vietnam (First Run Features).
A graduate of The University of Alabama and The Writers’ Workshop at The University of Iowa, Alexander is a member of the Authors Guild and PEN American Center. In the fall of 2002, he was a Fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University. He lives in New York City.
A former reporter for Time, Alexander has published journalism in The New York Times, The New York Times Magazine, New York, The Nation, The Village Voice, Salon, Worth, The New York Observer, George, Cosmopolitan, More, Interview, ARTnews, Mirabella, Premiere, Out, The Advocate, Travel & Leisure, The Los Angeles Times Book Review, Biography, Men’s Journal, Best Life, The New York Review of Books, The Daily Beast, and Rolling Stone.
Shane Salerno’s forthcoming feature documentary Salinger is based on Alexander’s biography of J.D. Salinger. Alexander is the author of the plays Strangers in the Land of Canaan and Edge, which he directed. Developed at The Actors Studio, Edge, the critically acclaimed one-woman play about Sylvia Plath, ran in New York, London, Los Angeles, among other cities. Edge toured Australia and New Zealand and enjoyed a second run in New York. In all, Torn performed Edge 400 times. Alexander is also the director of Brothers in Arms, a documentary film about John Kerry and Vietnam (First Run Features).
A graduate of The University of Alabama and The Writers’ Workshop at The University of Iowa, Alexander is a member of the Authors Guild and PEN American Center. In the fall of 2002, he was a Fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University. He lives in New York City.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
April 10, 2024
This is the story of an audacious undertaking - the circumnavigation of Ireland by sea kayak. I was impressed with the challenges the author faced and overcame, and absolutely amazed that he succeeded. The writing leaves a bit to be desired, but hey - the overall story and his doing the trip solo earns him 4 stars.
April 26, 2024
An endearing if slightly repetitive account of the author's circumnavigation of the island of Ireland. Certainly of interest to any sea kayakers in Ireland.
I enjoyed this book, although the author’s trials and tribulations made me think it could equally well be titled “Escaping into the madness”!
It certainly confirmed my status as a fair weather sea kayaker who heads into the nearest harbour or haven at the slightest sign of choppiness.
Numerous typos, slight malapropisms and misspellings only add to its charm and I suspect are the result of self-publication and a hurried proof-reading.
I don't think the Paul Alexander identified as the author by GoodReads is the actual Paul Alexander who wrote this book.
I enjoyed this book, although the author’s trials and tribulations made me think it could equally well be titled “Escaping into the madness”!
It certainly confirmed my status as a fair weather sea kayaker who heads into the nearest harbour or haven at the slightest sign of choppiness.
Numerous typos, slight malapropisms and misspellings only add to its charm and I suspect are the result of self-publication and a hurried proof-reading.
I don't think the Paul Alexander identified as the author by GoodReads is the actual Paul Alexander who wrote this book.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews