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'one of the best-written and most gripping tales of recent years' (YACHTING WORLD )
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In 1975, when Adrian Flanagan was fifteen, he read Sir Francis Chichester's account of his record-breaking circumnavigation and a dream began to form. Thirty years later, on 28 October 2005, Adrian set sail from the south coast of England on his quest to voyage vertically around the earth by the most difficult route imaginable, via Cape Horn and the icebound waters of the Russian Arctic. Adrian mortgaged his house and bought a unique stainless steel boat with the unlikely name of Barrabas. With limited funds and no means of paying a professional support team, he persuaded his ex-wife Louise to manage the expedition. The challenges would test the limits of his endurance. Adrian faced death when a rogue wave swept him from the deck. He was chased by pirates off Brazil, dislocated both wrists and, at Cape Horn, Barrabas capsized in a hurricane. He also swam in water ten miles deep, sailed in the company of whales, hunted with a spear gun and came to appreciate the fragile balance of the natural world from a perspective that few have ever seen. After 30,825 miles, Adrian arrived home on 21 May 2008, with a Royal Navy escort. Over the Top is the inspirational story of an epic voyage, a life-changing adventure and a dream fulfilled.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Unfortunately Over the Top is just a 'good' book. It is worth reading, but its prime purpose is less about the story of the man and the journey, but as a vehicle for telling the world that the author 'should' be listed amongst the great sailors of all time...
Adrian is certainly an epic sailor and the difficulties faced on the boat and off are astounding, but I became tired of the constant self promotion and the self placement of himself along side the greats...Just in case we forget, Andrian won't let us come to this conclusion by ourselves or by chance!
It feels a little bit like a sailing adventure by numbers where Adiaian has 'ticked' a lot of the boxes required, but it lacks the modestly and warmth of Pete Goss or Tania Aebi and becomes tedious in the end... sorry Adrian, but it was 'over the top'
Adrian is certainly an epic sailor and the difficulties faced on the boat and off are astounding, but I became tired of the constant self promotion and the self placement of himself along side the greats...Just in case we forget, Andrian won't let us come to this conclusion by ourselves or by chance!
It feels a little bit like a sailing adventure by numbers where Adiaian has 'ticked' a lot of the boxes required, but it lacks the modestly and warmth of Pete Goss or Tania Aebi and becomes tedious in the end... sorry Adrian, but it was 'over the top'
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
The is a powerful book which conveys all the emotion and frustration of this remarkable voyage as he circumnavigates the world from north to south. Adrian writes well and you feel that you are there. The voyage is quite remarkable - given the obstacles that he faced en route with the weather, political issues, ice and the fact that he was a one man band with his very patient wife Louise (who deserves a medal) as project manager. The part I didn't enjoy so much was that most heros are quite self effacing but throughout the book Adrian wants to point out that he is amongst the sailing greats - sometimes less is more. It would have come through anyway. A love of sailing doesn't shine through the book his motivation appears to be a desire to be first at something. I guess for explorers now it must be difficult to find new things to do first. So it is a book that left me with mixed feelings.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This is a incredible, page-turning yarn, full of adventure, passion, elation, excitement, fear, pleasure, love, respect...and the best part is it's all true. I read it cover to cover in one session. Few would have the courage to undertake this truly unique voyage in pursuit of a boyhood dream. Even fewer are also blessed with the intelligence, visceral honesty and writing talent of Flanagan. He takes the reader with him through the twists and turns and highs and lows of planning and executing this seemingly impossible mission. Its an adrenalin-filled and inspirational account of how he faced up to the physical, emotional, financial, practical and, in the case of the Russian artic territory, bureaucratic challenges, not to mention the anxiety and guilt of leaving behind his ex-wife and two young boys. Flanagan's descriptions of the thrills, the horrors and pleasures of a solo circumnavigation are awe-inspiring. Whilst primarily an account of Flanagan's personal adventure and fulfillment of his life dreams, he skillfully weaves into the narrative extensive factual detail, managing to create at the same time a highly informative and gripping read.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
A welcomed different angle on sailing stories
Most sailing stories depict tales of daring do against all odds and to be blunt can be a bit "same old stuff". Read more
Published 2 months ago by Porridge
My thoughts on this book
What an excellent and very well writen book - thoroughly enjoyed it!
Adrian Flanagan's quest against all the odds to become the first lone sailor to vertically circumnavigate... Read more
Adrian Flanagan's quest against all the odds to become the first lone sailor to vertically circumnavigate... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Jonjaco
Taste the sea spray!
SOME people get an idea in their heads and it just won't go away.
In the case of Adrian Flanagan it was a solo circumnavigation of the world, and in the way of such... Read more
In the case of Adrian Flanagan it was a solo circumnavigation of the world, and in the way of such... Read more
Published on 3 Oct 2009 by B. Hurst
Warning. This book WILL inspire you to leave your comfort zone.
This is undoubtedly the finest account of a single handed circumnavigation since Slocum's 'Sailing Alone Around The world'. Read more
Published on 22 Nov 2008 by A. Watters
Inspiration injection
This isn't a review, its a recommendation! I was totally 'blown away' by this fantastic book! Adrian Flanagan can do two things extremely well - he can sail and he can write. Read more
Published on 10 Nov 2008 by Richard Halliday
Forget Bond - This is the Real Deal
This book has it all - a real life thriller you couldn't make up! Adrian gets swept overboard in a raging storm without a safety harness, is chased by pirates off the coast of... Read more
Published on 10 Nov 2008 by Samantha Honeywell
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