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Paul Heiney

Last Man Across the Atlantic Hardcover – 24 November 2005

by Paul Heiney (Author)

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In 1960, when Sir Francis Chichester first raced single-handed across the Atlantic, it was widely regarded as a voyage only for the insane. Nowadays, the Singlehanded Transatlantic Race is not only accorded the greatest of respect but it is also recognized as a true test of stamina, seamanship and navigation. But this does not mean that it is exclusively a race for heroes. In 2005, writer and broadcaster Paul Heiney, an amateur sailor by any method of measurement, entered the race to prove that the Corinthian spirit of the transatlantic pioneers can still get you from one side of the Atlantic to the other, if you try hard enough. He sailed in what would be widely regarded as a standard family cruiser, in which he had great confidence; but his trust in his own abilities was less certain. "The Last Man Across the Atlantic" is an honest account of what it is like to be out there alone. Even the strongest yacht takes a battering after 3,000 miles: bits break and there's no pit stop for repairs. Sails are torn, water turns sour, the last apple turns to mush and there's still three weeks to go before sight of land. And then there's the crew - the poor sod on his own, making all the decisions, taking all the blame, enjoying the credit for when things go right, inevitably responsible when they fail. There is no one else to scold or praise, no shoulder to weep on, no one to joke with, no one to kiss, nobody to argue with about who washes up. There are books aboard for comfort but probably not "The Perfect Storm". Paul Heiney fully expected to be the last man across the Atlantic in the 2005 race and says it didn't bother him in the slightest. 'It's enough to be able to say you climbed Everest without having to run up it as well. And this is the sailing Everest - for me anyway.'

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Product details

Publisher : Mainstream Publishing (24 November 2005)
Language : English
Hardcover : 240 pages
ISBN-10 : 1845960556
ISBN-13 : 978-1845960551
Dimensions : 16.03 x 2.39 x 24.13 cm

Customer Reviews:
20 ratings

Product description

About the Author

Paul Heiney is a well-known writer and broadcaster who will be remembered from his appearances on That's Life. More recently, he has been part of the BBC's Watchdog team and presenter of Radio 4's Home Truths. In a richly varied life, he has also been an organic farmer and a cart-horse enthusiast.

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4 star		22%
3 star		9%
2 star		7%
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Phil Rudge

Takes you with him

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 19 March 2020

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I love sailing books, having done a little myself. That old man/woman against the sea scenario. I've always liked Paul Heiney as a broadcaster and I was looking forward to this book. The problem with documenting a trans-Atlantic voyage, I guess, is that for many days nothing happens. Heiney's book is not a chronological diary of the voyage and gives some history of the event and his motivation for taking part. This can be frustrating as at most points of the book you don't know where he is.
Some of the practicalities of sailing the Atlantic I would have liked to know about are only superficially dealt with. Similarly, sailing alone must be a psychological challenge as well as a physical one, and I would liked to have had more reflections on the state of mind. The crisis in the book comes as a little surprise as their is little inkling of the issue beforehand. Heiney also seems to spend more time below deck, leaving the sailing to his self-steering gear. I thought the point of sailing was to be in the elements and sailing the boat. Perhaps, this is the point and differentiates Heiney from the professional sailor.
Nevertheless, frustrations apart, I did enjoy the book and would recommend it to those interested in sailing and particularly the Atlantic crossing.

Malc

Well recommended book

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 4 January 2020

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Fabulous book documenting a very noteworthy trip. I bought this one used to replace a copy as I guess it’s out of print now which is a shame. The story is very well told and whilst this about sailing a boat across the Atlantic the reality is that’s it a story about the human ability to endure, persist and overcome. I’ve read this book several times.

Alistair

Well worth a read

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 7 September 2019

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Excellent book thoroughly enjoyed an honest account of crossing the Atlantic with back history

shirley degani

The Sea as. Passion

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 23 February 2016

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Though not a sailor ,I am afraid of the sea,but having read another of Paul Heiny's books and thoroughly enjoyed it I bought this one.Again I really enjoyed and appreciated all that it means to test yourself against and with the sea

Sea + Mountain

A Slow Read

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 10 February 2018

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A little jumping around and departing from the actual subject of sailing the North Atlantic

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Last Man Across the Atlantic Hardcover – 24 November 2005

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