A Voyage for Madmen by Peter Nichols

The cover says it all: “Nine men set out to race each other around the world. Only one made it back.” "A Voyage for Madmen" by Peter Nichols shares the incredible account of the first non-stop solo around-the-world yacht race, the Golden Globe Race of 1968.

Solitude is the dominant theme here, and its profound impact on the participants is explored through letters, journals, and log entries. Many are poignant and erratic log entries as the men grapple with failures, unbelievable circumstances, and the intense pressures of the race. At every tack, Nichols captures their moments of introspection, loneliness, and the overwhelming sense of being truly alone in the vast expanse of the ocean.

Readers will also feel the relentless brutality of the sea. The sailors' encounters with ferocious storms, mountainous waves, and the unforgiving Southern Ocean are described with visceral detail. The book's accounts of near-death experiences and desperate battles with nature serve as a testament to the sailors' resilience and the sheer unpredictability of the ocean.