A Race Too Far
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A Race Too Far
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Narrated by:
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Christian Rodska
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By:
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Chris Eakin
About this listen
In 1968, the Sunday Times organised the Golden Globe race - an incredible test of endurance never before attempted – a round the world yacht race that must be completed single-handed and non-stop, going into port for repairs or supplies would mean disqualification.
This remarkable challenge inspired the daring to enter – with or without sailing experience. A Race Too Far is the story of how the race unfolded, and how it became a tragedy for many involved.
Of the nine sailors who started the race, four realised the madness of the undertaking and pulled out within weeks. The remaining five each have their own remarkable story. Chay Blyth, fresh from rowing the Atlantic with John Ridgway, had no sailing experience but managed to sail round the Cape of Good Hope before retiring. Nigel Tetley sank whilst in the lead with 1,100 nautical miles to go, surviving but dying in tragic circumstances two years later. Donald Crowhurst began showing signs of mental illness and tried to fake around the world voyage. His boat was discovered adrift in an apparent suicide, but his body was never found. Bernard Moitessier abandoned the race whilst in a strong position and carried on to Tahiti, where he settled and fathered a child by a local woman despite having a wife and family in Paris. Robin Knox-Johnston was the only one to complete the race.
It has undoubtedly become the most legendary of modern stories of men pitting themselves against the sea. Forty years on, Chris Eakin recreates the drama of the epic race, talking to all those touched by the tragedies surrounding the Golden Globe: the survivors, the widows and the children of those who died. It is a book that both evokes the primary wonder of the adventure itself and reflects on what it has come to mean to both those involved and the rest of us in the forty years since.
©2009 Chris Eakin (P)2011 Random House Audio GoListeners also enjoyed...
What listeners say about A Race Too Far
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 24-12-22
Fantastic story
Highly recommend and thoroughly enjoyed. It was great from start to finish with incredible detail.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Amazon Customer
- 12-01-24
Enthralling True Story
As a yacht sailer myself, this book kept me entertained throughout. At times edge of your seat stuff. Exceptionally well read.
Highly recommended
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Mister Peridot
- 27-07-21
Armchair adventure at its best
Brilliant account by author Chris Eakin of this epic sailing adventure. And with Rodska reading the story what more could you want? Splice the main brace, reef the sails, pour yourself a drink & settle in for the adventure of a lifetime!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Mrs Curzon Tussaud
- 26-10-24
Superb narration.
The story of the 1969 Golden Globe round the world solo yacht race, which will always be remembered for the loss of Donald Crowhurst.
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- Mr Neil M Hewitt
- 01-09-21
Gripping, compelling and intense.
Just epic, if you love adventure, this story is right up there in terms of greatest feats of endurance and bravery, along with heartbreaking tragedy and loss.
The final chapters are hard to listen to without shedding a tear, particularly for the wives and children directly impacted by the events either directly or indirectly influenced as a result of the Golden Globe race.
It is also long overdue that Nigel Tetley has been rightly recognised for his heroic record setting multihull voyage, something that has been so unjustly overlooked for so long.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- G. Williams
- 18-07-20
Superb
A grippingly well told tale of adventure and endeavour. I could not stop listening.
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Riveting
For anyone tired of reading about the current mollycoddled, easily triggered, woke generation.. the ‘golden globe generation’ is the antithesis of that.. and perhaps an antidote if it could be taught in classrooms!
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- Amazon Customer
- 25-01-23
what a journey!
a brave cast of characters on an epic journey, full of mystery, peril, survival and perish
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- GrahamC
- 10-07-24
A wonderfully written and considered story
So much has been written about the golden globe race and its participants, some painted as heroes ans others almost as villains. This book provides a beautifully balanced account and interviews many of those directly associated with it. The human stories, looking back 40 years, are as important as the actual sailing - which is again masterfully written. The audio book reading is impeccable and thrilling. Even if you don’t like sailing this book will entrance. If you sail or adventure, especially multi-day solo, this book will make you think.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Jane Taylor
- 15-09-24
Just lovely snd thought provoking
Sailing Pioneers of their time. Families devastated and wives just trying to manage situations, they had not asked or dreamed of are also the pioneers.
Judgments made by those who do not appreciate the depth their comments cut.
A challenge for all those connected but a story of human resilience in its most challenging situations. Very well narrated and documented , about all the lives this great race touched .
All are brave in the true own right wetter they wanted to be or just had to be to face life and it’s challenges.
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