Product Description

In 1960, when Sir Francis Chichester first raced singlehanded across the Atlantic, it was widely regarded as an insane stunt. Nowadays, the Singlehanded Transatlantic Race is not only accorded the greatest of respect but is also recognised as a true test of stamina and seamanship. Almost half a century after Chichester's achievement, amateur sailor Paul Heiney 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. "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 and there's no pit stop for repairs. Sails are torn, water goes sour, the last apple turns to mush and there's still three weeks to go before sight of land. Paul Heiney fully expected to be the last man across the Atlantic and said 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.'

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #64066 in Books
• Published on: 2006-06-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 240 pages

From the Publisher
In 1960, when Sir Francis Chichester first raced singlehanded across the Atlantic, it was widely regarded as an insane stunt. Nowadays, the Singlehanded Transatlantic Race is not only accorded the greatest of respect but it is also recognised as a true test of stamina, seamanship and navigation.

About the Author
Paul Heiney is a well-known writer and broadcaster who will be remembered for 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 carthorse enthusiast. He lives in Suffolk with his wife.

Customer Reviews

The Sailing Adventure Book for the Rest of Us
If you have read about the adventures of Pete Goss and Ellen Macarthur and wondered in awe and admiration at their level of commitment and energy... and then felt exhausted and a little inadequate? Well then, this might be a book for you - it's the sailing adventure book for the rest of us.

I love this book and thank Paul for it each time I pick it up. He faces the challenge of crossing a big and scary ocean with honesty, humility and fruitcake! Self disparaging and at times emotional it a great read for a cold winters weekend by the fire.

Could we have and update? I would love to know how he feels now that time has passed and he has had time to reflect. Surely there are more adventures of 'Aiesha"?

Brilliant, like the man himself
A terrific read, reflecting a terrific achievement. I would reccomend this book to anyone, regardless of whether they have an interest in sailing (I don't, and I enjoyed it immensely nevertheless). Uttlerly compelling.

A great read
Paul Heiney completed the OSTAR the same year that I went solo transat. However, I went on what the author calls the 'girlie route' from the Canaries to Barbados rather than his much more northerly route. This book appeared shortly after I got back and I bought it to compare both trips and to see how much they had differed. All I can say is that I was totally engrossed from the begining as it brought back so many memories and emotions of my own trip. The author writes from considerable personal experience and, as a result, there is much in the book for soloist and short-handers alike. A great read, a very practical book and written with his usual understated sense of humour.