Row ,row, row your boat - Rated 
Read the book and then watch the DVD and seems like two diferent accounts of a journey accross the atlantic, though I suspect the book is a far meor honest account of the voyage.Ben and James were like chalk and cheese but some how it worked. Not a taxing read at all but welll worth the time and effort. Will definately read the book again!
Two naked men in a boat.... - Rated
If you missed this when it was shown on tv (briefly in a one off show) then this is the story of Ben (TV host, bit posh) and James (Olympic rower, v competitive) and their race to row across the Atlantic. Its all fairly self explanatory - find a rowing partner, buy a boat, row in straight line, meet friends and family on other side of ocean. But things are never that easy.
This book gives you both sides of the story, and makes it very clear that Ben and James didn't always get on. The arguments, tantrums, bickering and resentments all make this a more honest account of their journey. I like the format of this book, in the sense that you get one account first, then followed on by the others, leading you to draw your own conclusions when sometimes they don't add up.
The actual race itself sounds amazing. The team were very underprepared and no-one thought they stood a chance of even starting, but somehow they made it. Then its all about the hard slog across the Atlantic including highlights of rowing with dolphins and the low points of capsizing in the night.
This is a great book, thoroughly recommended for anyone who is an armchair adventurer.
A journey you will read over and over again - Rated 
Gripping, terrifying, heartbreaking, amazing, emotional, courageous. Just a few of the words describing the race whilst reading this book. They start as ill-equipped outsiders and finish as the first pair to cross the Atlantic in one of the greatest races since records began.
I was never popular of Ben Fogle from Castaway 2000, however since reading this book in just a few days my assumptions of him were changed dramatically. A must read for anyone who doubts the book will not be as good as this review makes out!
Truly inspiring, couldn't put it down - Rated
This is the first book for a while that's kept me completely gripped..finished it in a couple of evenings and was kind of disappointed when it was over! A must read for anyone with a curiosity of the human nature under extreme pressure (in some very adverse circumstances)
It is written honestly and candidly by both men and makes you feel like you are living the ups and downs with them!
amateur review from part time reader! - Rated
I only read this book because James sent it to me and a lot of people gave it to me for christmas. I paddled across the English Channel with James on a surf board last year so I wouldn't say I know James well but I have seen the competitive fire in him at first hand! The other thing I should point out is that I very rarely read books!
This is the story of an awesome adventure - inspiring, honest, insanely tough and fraught with difficulties. I simply couldn't put it down. I liked the double narrative and the contrasts of thought between them. The differences in their personalities holding the key to their ultimate success.
The most enlightening part of the book is when Ben tells us he sat on the laptop screen in the first week and that put an end to any e-mails of encouragement or otherwise reaching them onboard. I sent loads of e-mails to them over the 50 days as I tracked their progress - and not one reply!! And only now I find out.
If you did track their progress on-line then this will bring it to life. If you didn't, you'll enjoy the ride. It is a must read book and that's coming from someone who doesn't read that much.
One final thought - the DVD doesn't do the crossing justice.
|
