For this well-researched account of the third Vendee Globe 1996-97,  the author has drawn upon many authoritative sources including in-depth interviews with the single-handed skippers.  Sixteen starters commenced the 27,000 mile non-stop round-the-world race from Les Sables-d’Olonne on 3^rd November 1996, the winner – Christophe Auguin – crossed the finishing line on 17^th February 1997.  He was followed by but five other official finishers including Pete Goss whose heroism in rescuing Raphael Dinelli won him the Legion d’honneur.  The story of what befell the competitors, including Tony Bullimore, is gripping and well told.   There are descriptions of the boats and their designs, of the ways and means of  preparation and funding and of the skippers themselves and their single-minded determination to conquer the vast oceans.  The individual triumphs and disasters in the most isolated and dangerous places on earth, where icebergs abound and hurricane force winds are common, leave the reader filled with a sense of awe and admiration for those sailors who attempt the challenge. - CH

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