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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