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Product Description
Book Description
I'm not sure if these guys are insanely brave or just insane . . . An epic adventure and a gripping read' Andy McNab
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Product Description
When James Cracknell and Ben Fogle decided to compete in the Atlantic Rowing Race, they thought they knew what awaited them: nearly three thousand miles of empty ocean, stormy weather and colossal physical stress. But their epic journey would become at times, a living hell that tested the strength of every fibre of their being. Yet, forty seven days later, James and Ben were the first pair to cross the finishing line - overtaking one of the fourman teams in the process - becoming the first British pair ever to win the race. They pushed themselves physically, psychologically and emotionally to the limit. They survived without water rations for two days, lost the few clothes they had in a freak wave, capsized, hallucinated, wept, fought, played games, grew beards, nursed blisters and rowed 2,930 miles. They will never be the same again.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
22 of 22 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This is the autobiographical account of James Cracknell and Ben Fogle's crossing in the Atlantic Rowing Race 2005/06 from the Canary Islands to Antigua. Both of them alternate in telling the story and sometimes recount the same incidents from their own very different perspectives. They seemed to enter the race in a fit of absent mindedness and their preparations were truly shambolic to the extent that the organisers came within a hair's breadth of refusing them permission to participate. Ben Fogle hadn't even properly learnt to row beforehand! Oh yes, and in addition to rowing 3,000 miles they also had to endure the worst weather that the bi-annual race had ever experienced. However, this amateurishness greatly improves the story. What prevents it falling into a story of public school derring do is that gradually you see the strengths and transferable skills that both characters have developed in other spheres coming very much to the fore and pulling them through to become the first pair to cross the finishing line. So James Cracknell's intense competitiveness provides immense drive and motivation whilst Ben Fogle's good natured doggedness offers a striking contract to Cracknell. Despite great stretches when not a lot happens other than lots and lots of rowing (interspersed with a few brief moments of dangerous high drama) the book never fails to engage. There was a surprising twist before the end when the motivation of both characters changed. Both frankly, but kindly, relate the tensions that invariably arose on board. I think this is one of the book's strengths - the way they honestly project both their personalities, warts and all, to the extent that you feel you know and like them both by the time they reach Antigua. The ending is affecting as they bring out how the race helped clarified life changing decisions for them both and revealed their personalities to themselves. This book will appeal to rowing enthusiasts, fans of either author and anyone interested in endurance events, motivational stories or team work under pressure.
20 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I started reading this book not really knowing how good it would be and ended up finishing it in 6 hours - I just couldn't put it down. The book is so well written, it's hilarious to see the differences in mentality between James and Ben and because it's written by both of them, you get both perspectives. But it's also an incredible account of perseverence and bravery coping with terrible loneliness, hunger, thirst and sheer terror. I haven't been able to stop thinking about it since I finished the book. Amazing...
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This is the first book for a while that's kept me completely gripped..finished it in a couple of evenings and was kind of disappointed when it was over! A must read for anyone with a curiosity of the human nature under extreme pressure (in some very adverse circumstances)
It is written honestly and candidly by both men and makes you feel like you are living the ups and downs with them!
It is written honestly and candidly by both men and makes you feel like you are living the ups and downs with them!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Amazing tale of determination
What can I say, an amazing book that had me captured throughout. I don't read many books and often say I dont like reading but the determination and adventure in this book had me... Read more
Published 29 days ago by SimonH
Very enjoyable
Thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Found it extremely fascinating to learn about the two individuals who took on this enormous challenge, and their strengths and weaknessess... Read more
Published 12 months ago by Jud
personality clash
Absolutely superb book. A story of 2 families , 2 adventurers and the different thought processes which enable them to complete a monumental journey. Read more
Published 16 months ago by A. R. Fish
adventuring spirits
This is a great tale. Cracknell and Fogle give the story heart and guts but for those (like me) who love tales of endurance, there's plenty of detail of their training regimes and... Read more
Published 18 months ago by pipoca
inspirational writing
I decided to read this book at the same time that two friends of mine were rowing in the 2009 Atlantic rowing race. Read more
Published on 21 Jan 2010 by lurve doctor
Inspirational
The Crossing is an excellent read from start to finish. James and Ben are completely different characters but thats what makes them work. Read more
Published on 5 Dec 2009 by D. MELLING
A compelling account
It was very hard to try and limit myself to just 1 hr at a time whilst I was on my weekly journey to a work placement. Read more
Published on 7 Oct 2009 by Mr. Gary D. Smith
Great read
I had doubts about this book as, admittedley not knowing much about him, I didn't think Ben Fogle was the type of person I wanted to read about. Read more
Published on 11 Sep 2009 by M. Smith
The Crossing
This sounds like such a clichéd way to start a review but `The Crossing' truly was a book I couldn't put down, I started and finished this book in less than 24 hours. Read more
Published on 31 July 2009 by Spider Monkey
Not so much the sea... more a battle of personalities...
I really enjoyed this book from the point of view of reading about the differences between Ben Fogle and James Cracknell and how they managed to remain on the same boat throughout... Read more
Published on 12 April 2009 by A. Rowan
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