Fatal Storm: The Inside Story of the Tragic Sydney-Hobart Race

by Rob Mundle

Book Overview

Just before 1pm Boxing Day 1998, many thousands of Australians gathered - on and around Sydney Harbour, or in front of their televisions - to watch the start of an annual summer sporting tradition:... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0071361405
• ISBN13: 9780071361408
• Release Date: May 2000
• Publisher: International Marine Publishing
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.5" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Great Read for a long airline flight

I finished this book on a flight from Sydney to Los Angeles...with one disaster after another occurring in this massive storm, the writer keeps the reader actively turning pages throughout the book. You would not believe the bravery of everyone involved, from the actual racing teams to the rescue teams, not one person was left unphased by this experience.I am not an active sailor now, but with some experience in racing with a crew on sailboats, I found the account of this true story gripping. Certainly, a fun book to read, even if you are not into sailing. It may even convince you to never go open ocean sailing!

Clip on your lifeline!

If you've ever wondered what it's really like to be inside the cabin of a sailboat that has just been flipped by an 80-foot wave and 100 mph winds, read Fatal Storm. Mundle's sailing experience and descriptive prose made this fateful race come alive for me. Long after I had put the book down from a record three-hour reading session, my world was still rocking, I still felt the wind and rain in my face, and I found myself glancing behind, waiting for the next rogue wave to slam me down one more time. Anyone even remotely interested or connected to the world of sailing should not miss this spellbinding tale. Most important, you will remember its important lessons when you leave for an offshore cruise or race of your own.

A Compelling and Factual Account

Having met Rob Mundle at The Armchair Sailor in Newport, I am extremely impressed by his overwhelming concern and thoughtfulness for the people involved in the 1998 Sydney-Hobart Race. Mundle obviously went to great lengths to get the most factual information about the race, and he weaves the hundreds of stories together wonderfully in his book. Excellent book on a moving subject.

Stormy, Stormy Night.

This is simply a superb book. Its narrative force practically places you on board a number of the yachts as they head toward Hobart. It is both well researched and written, being based on many interviews with race participants, and does not skimp on the necessary factual information. The text is also well supported by an amazing group of photographs. Those who have read The Perfect Storm by Sebastian Junger will find this book irresistable. For those who have not, I suggest you buy both!