I am not sure I am capable of giving this book the review it deserves, but I shall give it a go.

In the unlikely case that you are not aware of the basis of this epic tale, let me start with a brief synopsis.

The late sixties were, I imagine, a fascinating time. Some people were attending festivals and consuming copious amounts of mind altering chemicals, some were planning to put the first man on the moon, some were globalising the world by inventing digital cameras, cash dispensers and the internet!  A small handful of people, however,  were about to prove something of equal importance, that man can take on mother nature in her most vile mood, and just about get away with it.

In the Summer of 1968, nine men set off in their boats in an attempt to be the first ever human being to sail around the world, nonstop. Well, one thought he was a cosmic being, but I’ll leave that for another book review.

This is not only the epic account of Robin Knox-Johnston’s journey around the globe and into the record books, but also the last time mankind ventured into the absolutely unknown.

In a sentence, you absolutely HAVE to read this book.

Buy it from here for £6.99

Having read Sir Robin’s classic, A World of My Own, his account of the first ever journey solo nonstop around the world, I simply couldn’t wait to read another of his books, and this, his second, leaves me with the same opinion.

When Robin first sailed around the world he was in his twenties, in a wooden boat, and it had never been done before. Things were very different then to the satellite guided, shore supported, carbon fibre powered races of today. He was also a few year older, at 69.

The essence of the story is the same as any other documentation of a modern global race in an Open 60. From the token introduction, to the struggle for sponsorship. If you’ve read any of the modern Vendee accounts, then this will be familiar territory, but it’s not quite the same.

Robin’s writing style seems to have, almost surprisingly, not changed since the late 60’s, and that is certainly no bad thing. The man is capable of holding your attention throughout, while avoiding too much emotion. This book is about what, in my opinion, sailing is about; a love of the sea.

There’s no tales of despair, or emotional diatribe, just pure unadulterated passion for what he’s doing. He does encounter problems, serious problems, but like the true seaman he proved himself to be in the Golden Globe, he just get’s on with it then celebrates with a whiskey and a smoke.

In the 40 years since his original venture around the globe, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston has lost not one ounce of his mettle, and this book proves it.

Buy it here for £6.99