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Ellen MacArthur
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Pages: 3 (Audio CD)
ISBN: 0141804726
Pub: Penguin Audiobooks
Pub date: 2003-02-27
Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 539320
Editorial Review:
When Ellen MacArthur became the youngest person ever to complete yachting's most gruelling race, the Vendée Globe, she also assured herself of a place in sporting history as the fastest woman ever to circumnavigate the globe. As the world watched the images of her disasters and triumphs aboard her boat, MacArthur swiftly entered that pantheon of sportsmen and women whose emotional life we came to share over and above their achievements in their chosen field. We strove against the elements with her, we suffered with her when disaster loomed--and, finally, we could all take vicarious pleasure in her ultimate triumph.
This autobiography proves to have been more than worth the wait. The insights we are granted here into just what MacArthur went through genuinely tug at the heart--and never in any sentimental or manipulative way. Her very air of "ordinariness" (no film-star looks, no breast-beating egomania as in all too many sports personalities) was refreshing, but it's that monumental endurance and skill she demonstrated on her epic voyage that commands our admiration. The earlier sections of the book, detailing her childhood in Derbyshire (quite some distance from the sea) may have us impatient for her great ocean adventure, but they're skilfully and affectingly written. And when she begins her preparations for the Vendée Globe, we take a deep breath, knowing that we'll experience all the arduous adventure and danger that is facing her.
Some may argue that autobiographies are being written by younger and younger authors, with their lives still ahead of them. But surely (in this case) the timing is perfect. --Barry Forshaw
Reader Reviews:
Great Woman, Great Book! (2/2 people found this helpful)
I had seen some news reports of what she had been doing which is what prompted me to buy this book, and its excellant. She tells her story in such a way that you feel that you are sat with her witnessing everything. Couple of the chapters are long which meant people only got grunts out of me for long periods of time. I think the glossary at the back of the book is a cracking idea as even the simple sailing terms i didnt know, so this i found very useful. Great read!
Great Girl...........Brilliant Book (4/4 people found this helpful)
As a sailor myself, I can understand the emotional rollercoaster Ellen experienced during her time at sea. The book not only gives an insight into what inspired her to sail but also how tough going the days at sea were. I could not put the book down from the minute i started to read it to the end.
This book is truely sensationl and inspiring. It is a must read and i guarantee anyone who reads this book will feel the same.
Great Girl...........Brilliant Book (3/3 people found this helpful)
As a sailor myself, I can understand the emotional rollercoaster Ellen experienced during her time at sea. The book not only gives an insight into what inspired her to sail but also how tough going the days at sea were. I could not put the book down from the minute i started to read it to the end.
This book is truely sensationl and inspiring. It is a must read and i guarantee anyone who reads this book will feel the same.
An emotional adventure (1/1 people found this helpful)
This is a well structured and entertaining story. I got enough insight into Ellen as a person, to really be gripped by the ups and downs of the great voyage - even though I knew the ending.
I listened to Ellen reading her story as I painted the outside of the house, balanced on a ladder. It certainly put the little heart stopping moments when my ladder wobbled, into perspective!
Although Ellen is not an actress she still puts enough personal feeling into the reading to more than makes up for that.
Read it, or listen to it, and it will put British winter weather into perspective!
An inspiration to me! (3/6 people found this helpful)
This book was totally awesome and I didn't want to put it down! I loved reading every page, hearing of Ellen's adventures and also the emotions which we're very real and which I could relate too!I wish her the best in everything she does, she's been an inspiration to me!
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Categories
Amazon.co.uk places this book into the following categories:
Books -> Subjects -> Biography -> General
Books -> Subjects -> Biography -> Sport
Books -> Subjects -> Sports, Hobbies & Games -> General
Books -> Subjects -> Sports, Hobbies & Games -> Water Sports -> Boating -> Sailing
Books -> Refinements -> Language (feature_browse-bin) -> English
Books -> Refinements -> Age (feature_two_browse-bin)
Books -> Refinements -> Format (binding_browse-bin) -> Audio CD
Books -> Refinements -> Condition (condition-type)