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Close to the Wind: An Extraordinary Story of Triumph Over Adversity
 
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Close to the Wind: An Extraordinary Story of Triumph Over Adversity (Paperback)

by Pete Goss (Author)
4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
RRP: £8.99
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Product details

  • Paperback: 352 pages
  • Publisher: Headline; New Ed edition (3 Jun 1999)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 0747259380
  • ISBN-13: 978-0747259381
  • Product Dimensions: 17.6 x 11 x 2.6 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 121,863 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Product Description

Amazon.co.uk Review

On December 25, 1996, Pete Goss turned his 50-ft yacht Aqua Quorum back into a hurricane- force headwind to rescue French sailor Raphael Dinelli. He risked his life and any chance of winning one of the world's great yachting challenges--the Vendeé Globe non-stop, single- handed, round-the- world race. Instead, he was awarded France's highest honour--the Legion d'Honneur--and an MBE in the 1998 New Year's Honour List.

Close to the Wind is Goss's story. He starts with the years of preparation as a merchant seaman and skipper on one of the 10 yachts in Chay Blyth's British Steel Challenge. He describes how he attempted to get sponsorship but was constantly rebuffed and he discusses the hardships he faced--nights spent sleeping on platforms before business meetings because there was no money to spare for a room. The drama of the Vendee is recounted in detail, down to Goss's having to operate on his elbow without anaesthetic and with the assistance only of faxed instructions. And will he race again? He plans to set off on in a 115-ft catamaran in The Race, December 2000.



Review

CLOSE TO THE WIND - Quotes 'Nothing Ian Fleming wrote has you wondering so anxiously how the hero is going to get out of this pickle' Independent 'Parents, wives and sisters who buy this book for the family daredevil must read it first. It celebrates an ancient, beautiful way of being human.' Libby Purves in The Times 'This is a wonderful book, a book to make the reader realise that he or she could never be a hero. I recommend it.' Michael Beaumont, Spectator 'More impressive than fiction could ever be ... compelling' Independent on Sunday 'Goss takes you so vividly on board with him ... he has a genuine talent for writing tense narrative.' Independent 'The story of a brave man; a man who turned into the teeth of a hurricane to save the life of a fellow competitor in a single-handed round-the-world yacht race. A wonderful book. I recommend it.' Spectator 'Just buy it, you'll love it, a real life adventure story' Royal Yachting Association 'It is far from just a book about the Vendee events, but a soul-bearing autobiography' Western Morning News 'His down-to-earth storytelling is gripping. His modesty is endearing. His dedication to a cause and the manner of achieving it are humbling and inspiring' Cambridge Evening News 'A lot of people will be sending out for a copy of Close to the Wind to see if they can find out a little more about [Goss]. They will be richly rewarded.' Independent 'A truly inspirational, incredible story... ' South Wales Argus 'The story is a compelling one. Goss's prose is honest and unexaggerated.' Independent on Sunday 'In my book, he will always be Pete Goss, BFBH: bona fide British hero' Tim Jeffrey in Daily Telegraph 'Prose as trim as his vessel ... incredible' Kirkus Reviews 'Tense, fast-moving and illustrated with colour photographs that put you in the middle of the action' New York Times 'His heroism and modesty redeem the gun-ho bits of this mesmerising memoir. Buy it' The Times 'Goss writes about his experiences in a conversational and direct style that brings alive the terrors of the open sea' The Sunday Times

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Close to the Wind: An Extraordinary Story of Triumph Over Adversity
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Customer Reviews

17 Reviews
5 star:
 (12)
4 star:
 (4)
3 star:
 (1)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.6 out of 5 stars (17 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Epic read !, 2 Mar 2000
I ploughed through this book like pete goss must have ploughed through the southern ocean... This is an informative, inspiring and generous book ..
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Riveting, inspiring yarn well told and unnervingly casual., 27 Jul 1999
By A Customer
Having seen Pete speak at my companies' annual conference early July of 1999, I was eager to hear more of his fantastic tale. The book is clearly written with a laid back delivery of the high-level of drama it contains - much like the man himself.

Indeed, the book left me with much the same feeling as his presentation - wanting more and rather surprised that it had finished so soon. You feel, through Pete's very lucid writing, that you are reminiscing with a close friend over the last few years of their lives.

Pete describes life aboard a 50 foot yacht in vivid and 'non-seaman accessible' detail, yet much of the book is the story of the run up to the race and it is all the better for it.

As Pete says time and again, the race was not single-handed after all - it belonged to the incredible yet very normal group of people that got Pete and Aqua Quorum to the start line and eventually home again.

'Close to the Wind' is a book for anyone with an interest in the sea, adventure, teamwork or the story of an everyday chap that achieved his life-long dream - oh yes, and saved a fellow yachtman's life amid 60' waves and a huge storm in the most inhospitable ocean in the world... sorry nearly forgot to mention it...

Pete's incredible experiences have given him a simple but extremely insightful philosophy. The book is littered with excellent snippets of wisdom and it is these that will live on with you after you have put the book down... which I guarentee will be not that long after you pick it up....

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13 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars Make that three and half stars!, 3 May 2000
By A Customer
Welcome to my first review of one of the very first books I've bought through Amazon.

I decided to read this book on the undersatnding that it was a true account of much adventure on the high seas by a man alone. I was wrong but never dissappointed. I should have paid more attention to other reviews. This is about a huge team effort and all the preparations that go into a single handed non-stop circumnavigation when you don't have any money to do so!

The account is very believable, easy to read and maybe a little short of good written visualisation (if you've read 'Perfect Storm' you'll know what I mean). However, Pete Goss comes over as a very likeable man and you will him along as you read.

The story of the actual race is quite short but nicely told. Missing is an understanding why he does these thing alone and I'd like him to reveal more of himself to the reader.

I don't want to appear too critcal - I neither write well or sail! Go and buy the book - it is inspiring.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Fantastic Read.
One of the best books I have read, would recomend it to anyone, Couldn't put it down.
Published 11 days ago by A Marine Engineer

5.0 out of 5 stars An inspiring read!
This is a fantastic recount of the bravery and spirit involved in Ocean Racing. Pete Goss is a true hero and 'Close to the Wind' is a must-read for all sailing fans.
Published 8 months ago by Mrs. K. J. Burgess

5.0 out of 5 stars The book that gets reluctant readers reading
My copy has been borrowed by numerous male and female friends, and I've bought several copies for others, most of whom sail and want something a bit more intelligently written... Read more
Published 8 months ago by S

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read
I got this for Christmas and that was where my head stayed for the rest of Christmas. I really couldn't put this book down. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Dorothy and Kenneth

4.0 out of 5 stars Captivating read for sailors and landlubbers alike
Pete Goss has written an exciting book describing his adventures circumnavigating the globe in the Vendee Challenge race. Read more
Published on 29 Nov 2002

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant
This is a brilliant, rivetting account of a miracoulous ,astonishingly courageous rescue in gobsmackingly dangerous circumstances. Read more
Published on 10 Mar 2002

5.0 out of 5 stars An exhilarating account of personal sacrifice and heroism.
In 1986 Pete Goss vowed that one day, he would fly the Red Ensign in the Vendee Globe, a single-handed round the world yacht race. Read more
Published on 29 Jan 2000 by davidbatten2

5.0 out of 5 stars 'Close to the Wind'
This book was extremely entertaining and absolutely fascinating. It is very interesting, even to those (such as myself) who are not interested in sailing. Read more
Published on 3 Jan 2000

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best!!!
This book is everything, humour, excitment, and best of all sailing!! It is so worth buying.
Published on 8 Oct 1999

5.0 out of 5 stars Great!!!
Great book that let you think what is the real life!!! It is not only a book on sailing but it is a great book on motivation and achievements.

Mamma mia!!! Read more

Published on 9 Sep 1999

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