Customer Reviews

500 Days

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is a wonderful book. Not only is it an adventure story about the challenge of sailing around the world in a 12 foot boat, but it is also a travel book about some of the little-known ports that Mr. Testa visited. As someone who could spend hours looking at maps of islands in an atlas, I was intrigued to read the descriptions of someone who has actually visited these out of the way corners of the world. This is a book about sailing where a significant portion of the adventure occurs on land. Serge writes with humor and honesty, and reading this book made me dream of visiting some of his ports of call.

I came across the remarkable feat of Serge Testa and his boat, Acrohc Australis, in a book on single-handed sailing. I was pleasantly surprised to note that he had written a book about his experiences circumnavigating the world. The book is very informative, reading much like a travelog. My only criticisms are minor, first that the book is short, and second, that it is written in a very matter of fact manner, that is, there's not a lot of detail regarding the emotional aspects of the journey (if that matters to anyone). However, if you are at all interested in single-handed sailing or sailing across oceans, I'd consider this required (and well worth it!) reading.

The book reads a lot like a travel journal more than a story. Lots of documentation and excitement as ytou may well expect. Left me wanting to know more details about the adventure. Serge Testa is an incredible individual and an autobiography would be great reading. He also builds quality boats as I found on an internet search.

A great book on sailing around the world and facing adversity all in a 12 foot yacht. In reading this book I was amazed at the resourcefullness of the author. Read this book... imagine what you can learn from someone who can make it around the world using only the resources in a 12 foot yacht.

I very much enjoyed this book. It reads quickly, much like a travelog, but still gives a good view of what the voyage was like. It also gives a pretty good analysis of his boat.

This book was just an absolute pleasure to read. Serge Testa is a great boatbuilder, sailer, illustrator, and author.

I recommend you download the podcast of his interview with furledsails.com prior to reading. I did, and it allowed me to project Serge's actual voice and tone while reading his book.

Awesome adventure, Testa writes an epic tale about his circumnavigation and adventures along the way. not many people have the determination to sail the great seas in a homebuilt yacht under 12 feet, ok to his credit he was a professional boat builder and aluminium is the stuff dreams are made of, but still around in an un proven design.....

I heard about Serge Testa from friends who have met him in Brisbane, and so ordered his book. Keen sailor myself a few years back, I really got gripped about his story, and could fully understand what he describes that he went through!He never looses his sense of humour or his humility towards the elements, and the only thing I can add is: "Chapeau bas, Serge!"

I enjoyed this book and it was interesting to see his development as a writer as it progressed. The book is written in a simple and clear manner and gives good insight into the dangers and hardships of such a voyage. However the book does lack much description on the voyage of the man, his fears, concerns and state of mind as he travels around the world. If you are interested in yatching you should enjoy this book.

I thought this was going ot be a good read on my new Kindle. I bought it and was surprised to see that is came through in tiny illegable type, (that could not be enlarged via text size) and therefore was useless. Amazon was great about returning my money - but avoid the waste of time and purchase the real book, not the electronic version!