Godforsaken Sea

By: Derek Lundy

Narrated by: Michael Tezla

Length: 6 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

The Vendée Globe, a grueling four-month sail around the world, traveling through the wild waters of the Southern Ocean, is the most demanding and dangerous sailing race on the planet. In November 1996, 14 men and 2 women competitors set out on this ultimate human endeavor. Godforsaken Sea chronicles their solitary battles to stay alive against 6-story waves, bone-chilling cold, ice-laden seas, and their own physical and mental limitations. Listen to electrifying accounts of human courage and endurance that will take you into the sailors' spirits.

©1998 Derek Lundy; 169 and (P)1999 HighBridge Company

Critic reviews

"Incomparable...a profound and brilliantly executed book featuring the sea and human nature." (William F. Buckley, Jr.)

My only complaint

My only complaint is that they should put out the unabridged version of this excellent book.

Human competition and the edge of sanity.

Where does Godforsaken Sea rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This high action, high risk narrative is among the best audio books I've listened to.

What did you like best about this story?

The profiles and personal interviews with the participants as it painted the picture of who these people are and what motivates them to race the Vendee Globe, unquestionably the most difficult sailboat race in the world.

Have you listened to any of Michael Tezla’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The account of how difficult a rescue was in the Southern Ocean and how fellow racers would not question their obligation to help a fellow sailor in distress.

Play by play of an amazing and dangerous race

It was a bit long winded at times but also very intense at times. Recommended for people interested in circumnavigation and its perils/rewards.

Poor audio quality

Sorry and narrator are good, but the audio quality is quite poor. Sample before buying

A magnificent true story

Great story, very good narration. Very much intriguing and worthwhile for those with an appreciation for the subject.

Good story

started in a disjointed way but came together when it got to the race. I'm glad I listened to this book. it was riveting. The narrator has a calm voice that is easy to listen to. I seriously disliked the music played between chapters. It is much louder than the narration and jolting.

Thrilling Tale of the Sea

This was a fantastic book. It transports you from boat to boat, describing the trials that these solo sailors face in this great race. When the author opens a window to a particular incident, he does well to close it out. You really get a feel for the race and what drives these sailors to make the toughest passage around the world.

It's a miracle anybody survived this wacko race!

This was a pretty good book, I felt like there could have been fewer characters or better descriptions of the ones that were there. one reviewer had a funny observation that there were a lot of French names, and that was a bit irritating. there were mostly French people in this foolish race, so there you go...

Worth Reading

This book is unique in its style, like a mildly disturbing dream. The book starts and flows well; then, finishes on a mournful note. The narration is very good. The story is well told. The race upon which the book is based is well researched. Lots of French names. Lots of catastrophe and the human hardship that follows. The middle portion of the book is so descriptive of wind, rain, waves, sails, broken things, cracked things, beacons, highs, lows, bows, masts, halyards, etc., that it is hard to tell one chapter from the next. I think I accidently listened to chapters 10 & 12 several times, only realizing this well into each chapter. Don't be mistaken; this is not a bad thing. This book is not like others you've read where the author sends you on a sleigh ride connecting chapters like train cars. No. It's more like he put you in a Martini shaker and shook for 3 days. Every account of single handed passage making I've read has a certain "trial by fire" flavor about it. This book is no exception. If you are inclined to like such reading, this book will not disappoint.

For the South

It is very strange understand Cyrene call of the circumnavigator but this book does it justice. What a read. I am so excited for the time I get to go again and finally finish what I started…