A Voyage for Madmen Paperback - 2002

"An extraordinary story of bravery and insanity on the high seas. . . . One of the most gripping sea stories I have ever read." -- Sebastian Junger, author of The Perfect Storm

In the tradition of Into Thin Air and The Perfect Storm, comes a breathtaking piece of maritime history and an oceanic adventure about an obsessive desire to test the limits of human endurance.

In 1968, nine sailors set off on the most daring race ever held--the Sunday Times Golden Globe Race--and never before completed: to single-handedly circumnavigate the globe nonstop. Ten months later, only one of the nine men would cross the finish line and earn fame, wealth, and glory. For the others, the reward was madness, failure, and death.

Gorgeously written and meticulously researched by author Peter Nichols, this extraordinary true story of survival chronicles the contest of the individual against the sea, waged at a time before cell phones, satellite dishes, and electronic positioning systems. A Voyage for Madmen is a tale of sailors driven by their own dreams and demons, of horrific storms, and of those riveting moments when a decision means the difference between life and death.

This definitive account of the legendary Golden Globe Race goes inside each boat to chronicle the harrowing truth of what happened on the high seas.

• The Daring First Golden Globe: In 1968, nine men set off on a challenge thought impossible--to sail alone, nonstop around the world.
• Nine Sailors, One Survivor: Ten months later, only one would cross the finish line. For the others, the race ended in madness, failure, and death.
• Desperate Conditions at Sea: A riveting account of horrific storms and life-or-death decisions in the age before GPS, satellite phones, or electronic positioning systems.
• A True Story of Obsession: Gorgeously written and deeply researched, this is the unforgettable story of the dreams and demons that drove each man to his fate.