Customer Reviews
Chilling - By: Sam Steele, 28 Dec 2008 
I read thisin less than a day. I just couldn't put it down. It is an amazing survival story, from which Nick should not have survived. But the fact that it is a story that remained untold for 25 years shows the courage it must have taken to relive those days & write the book. The descriptions of the seas & the emotions make it seem incredibly real & allows you to follow the highs & lows of the events as they unfold. The paperback version includes more information & photos. I found the book quite chilling not only because of the power of the sea but the survival story itself. A story I won't forget easily.
Left for dead 1979 Fastnet Disaster - By: R. D. Moffitt, 20 Dec 2008 I was loaned this book by a friend & decided to read a few chapters before going to bed. I couldn't leave it down & got to bed at around 02.30 next morning. I then purchased my own copy via Amazon & then another one for a friend. Nick Ward was very gracious to the crew members who left him behind, I doubt if I would have interpreted their actionsin the same way. An excellent read & a book well worth havingin one's library
as it is - By: Dr. R. G. Henderson, 10 Dec 2008 I am a humble dinghy sailor, but was gripped by this account of disasterin a bigger boat. Although jointly written with Sinead O'Brien you can't see the join, & apart from a few minor subediting glitches it's well written.
The account of mountanous seas really (and frighteningly) puts you there. But the insight into his resentment - & later, understanding - of the three shipmates who abandoned him makes the book more profound than just the average disaster story.
A triumph of writing - By: Geoff Holt, 27 Oct 2008 Walking on Water: A Voyage Around Britain & Through Life
Having had the pleasure of meeting Nick, actually reading this harrowing account, made the story all the more real. I was only 13 when the tragedy happened but, even at such an early age, & as a keen sailor myself, it was indelibly etched on my mind. So to actually read this terrifying, first-hand account, all these years later was gripping. Of all the horror of that fateful race, two good things came out of it; Firstly Nick survived, & secondly he had the courage to document what must have been the most traumatic eventin his life. Totally inspiring & a real page turner.
Excellent - By: Mr. A. J. Grimshaw, 13 Oct 2008 I bought this book by chance & have since bought 2 more copies for friends. It is an absorbing, understated, well written account of the disaster striking a boat on the infamous 1979 Fastnet Race & for someone who would prefer to read non fiction I couldnt put it down.
Apparently, the paperback version was published later & includes additional concluding paragraphs notin the hardback.
Highly recommended. My wife who has no particular interestin sailing read the bookin 2 days.
