Alone Through the Roaring Forties (the Sailor's Classics #5)

by Vito Dumas

Book Overview

This title tells the tale of Vito Dumas' journey round the Roaring Forties. His 20,000-mile voyage through the vast Southern Ocean set many records, including first solo sailor to round Cape Horn and... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0071376119
• ISBN13: 9780071376112
• Release Date: July 2001
• Publisher: International Marine Publishing
• Length: 171 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.9" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

Certainly a classic of Solo Sailing Stories

This story is as spectacular as it is unique. Who else would even consider this adventure now, not to mention then? No one. The story of the adventure of sailing in such conditions is well worth reading. As an added value Vito just seems to have a great capacity for making friends and telling the story. His capacity to endure is remarkable, but also his skills and seamanship are truly outstanding. Even in this modern world of computers and electronic navigational aids there is much to be learned about boats and seamanship from a person who sailed a 32' boat in the worst of conditions, and did it smartly, without all those modern aids. I recommend this book for the wonderful story it tells about the sea and the person. Certainly a classic of solo sailing stories.

A true classic

Surely Dumas must be one of the most charming of all sailors.His account of circling the world the hard wayis modest, intimate, and filled with love and joy.If you want to know what it means to love the seaand to sail the world alone in a small boat,you must read these three authors:Slocum, Guzzwell, and Dumas.

Definitely a classic

This is currently my favorite book I have ever read about sailing around the world. It's entertaining, informatative, and most important, I felt like I was right there riding with him on the boat. It struck me as a very honest account without a lot of making things sound more impressive than they actually are. He talks a bit about getting sick on board, but he accepts that as just part of the challenge. He also talks about getting a tiny bit careless after going so far around the world, and getting put ashore in what must have appeared to be a "novice" mistake. At that point, he was ANYTHING but a novice. It's just the kind of thing that might happen to any one of us, which is exactly what makes this book so appealing to me. If you want to escape from your land-locked life for a few hours with a good book, consider this one strongly. The chapters are generally fairly short, and the pages turn quickly, because he really draws you in with his writing style. His description of his experience with the waves in the South Pacific still has me spellbound. I will read this book again and again over the years.

Eternal Vito

An Argentine legend of the sea, deeply loved by all south american sailors. This book tells of his second voyage on board Legh II against the roaring forties alone, and all the things he had to endure. Bernard Moitissier used to keep this book under his pillow and referred to it many times. A must read for everyone, specially for overseas cruisers