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The Maintenance Race  By  cover art

The Maintenance Race

By: Stewart Brand
Narrated by: Richard Seyd
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Publisher's summary

In 1968, nine competitors set out in a race that had never before been attempted: to sail around the world, alone, without stopping.

The route took them through the most dangerous waters on Earth. Seeking help was forbidden, and psychologists speculated that the 10 months alone at sea could drive the sailors mad. The winner was promised money and attention, but everyone knew that the real prize was to become a legend. What no one predicted was how. 

Three of the racers did indeed become legendary: the one who won, the one who didn’t bother to win, and the one who cheated. 

In this Audible Original, Stewart Brand (the Whole Earth Catalog, How Buildings Learn, The Clock of the Long Now) tells these men’s story, and lays out a new understanding of how and why each of them met their fate. His claim is that the core of the race came down to how each sailor approached the question of maintenance. And he explains how shifting our own understanding of maintenance may help us address the problems we face, from daily chores to issues that threaten our very existence.

Cover Art by Gordon Frickers 

©2021 Stewart Brand (P)2021 Audible Originals, LLC.

About the Creator

Stewart Brand is co-founder of Revive & Restore, of The Long Now Foundation, of The WELL, of Global Business Network, and founder/editor of the Whole Earth Catalog. His books include Whole Earth Discipline; The Clock of the Long Now; How Buildings Learn; and The Media Lab. He is currently working on a book titled The Maintenance Race; this Audbile Original is its first chapter. He was trained in ecology at Stanford and served as an Infantry officer in the US Army.
Photographed by Mark Mahaney at Redux

About the Performer

Richard has been a director and teacher for over 35 years. As his professional directing career grew, he found that more and more professional actors sought his work for individual coaching. From this demand, he opened Seydways Acting Studios in 1991 as a training ground for professional actors in the Bay Area. Over the years as a successful director and teacher, Richard developed a uniquely sensitive, specific, and effective approach to actor training. This approach is summarized in his now patented Trigger Approach and Stretch Work. In 2003, Richard opened his Los Angeles studio, where he continues to teach classes for professional actors in both Los Angeles and San Francisco.

What listeners say about The Maintenance Race

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Intriguing story

I wasn't sure what to expect from this. It is a fascinating story about a race around the world and how preparing for it and having a maintenance plan influenced it. If the rest of the stories in the future book are like this, I would want to read it.

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Life Changing Story

I love this man. It could change your life, not only it could change your life it will also help with many struggles in your life.

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FANTASTIC SHORT LISTEN! I DARE YOU NOT TO BE MOVED.

I relate unfortunately more to the guy lost at see as an eternal optomist and despising tedious maintenance but this was such s simple and great example that I could listen and absorb in one sitting and Is love to read the complete book with more examples if and when it is completed. Bravo, fast hard clap!

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Sufficiently short and effective narration of a historic race that left us with amazing teachings.

I liked all the descriptions of the problems the navigators faced and the teachings it provided.

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Well worth a listen!

Another excellent production by executive producer & editor Rachel Hamburg. I always look forward to and enjoy her audible originals, and this was no exception. As insightful as it was gripping, “The Maintenance Race” has given me an opportunity to think about the role of “maintenance” in my own life. Would definitely recommend to all.

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Great Info

I really enjoyed the overview of the competition and the journeys. I look forward to reading the full book!

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Skills For Life

This was an entertaining and informative selection about a naval race, focusing in particular on several racers and their approach to the race. I found that most interesting. One was too optimistic without being realistic, one cheated and one was extremely prepared. Their stories are the heart of this story. Beautifully narrated, this is a short treat.

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Sailing

The thought of sailing on the ocean terrifies me. Listening to how sailors do it for months at a time fascinates me. Well narrated "a Reader's Digest" version of an epic race.

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Great story

sometimes you don't need anyone but yourself..peace is a hard thing to find. anyone people have found it they don't realize it.

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Great stories well told

Narrator: attractive voice, great intonation and pace
Stories: captivating and astounding
You can’t go wrong

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2 people found this helpful