Challenging the Pacific: The First Woman to Row the Kon-Tiki Route [Hardcover]

Maud Fontenoy (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 9, 2006

Named one of Time Magazine International's 30 most important people of 2005, Maud Fontenoy presents us with a terrific, entertaining adventure story on the high seas as she challenges the Pacific Ocean-a feat no woman before her ever accomplished. Already the first woman to row alone across the North Atlantic, Maud raised the bar to defy the elements, the daunting solitude, and the circling sharks of the South Pacific on her second solo voyage. She overcame all the odds as well as her personal doubts and fears, demonstrating not only her indomitable courage and strength but proving once again that women can conquer the most difficult and treacherous obstacles.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In 2003, 25-year-old Fontenoy was the first woman to row solo across the North Atlantic, a daunting journey described in Across the Savage Sea. No sooner was she home in France than she was planning her next sea challenge. In January 2005, in homage to Heyerdahl's Kon-Tiki expedition some 58 years earlier, Fontenoy set off solo from Lima, Peru, across the Pacific to Hiva Oa in French Polynesia. She rowed some 4,400 miles in 73 days. She describes the experience of being alone at sea for days and nights on end—although she did have a satellite phone and communicated regularly. While she passed some fearful hours fretting about getting run over by container ships in the shipping lanes, about sharks attacking her while she unfouled her rudder, about pirates stealing her desalinator—no dire tragedies actually occurred. Exhausted and somewhat lame when she arrived in Tahiti, she revived quickly and enjoyed a celebrity welcome. While she shares very few of the practical details of her voyage—how she navigated, the design of her boat, how she prepared her food—Fontenoy writes lyrically of the beauty and power of the sea and of her struggle to reach her goal. (Nov.)
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From Booklist

Fontenoy follows Across the Savage Sea (2005), an account of her solo row across the Atlantic, with a chronicle of her next marine adventure--crossing the Pacific along the "Kon-Tiki" route from Peru to the Marquesas. Heat and storms plague her, but nothing dire happens. It is simply a lonely and long journey in a tiny boat on a huge ocean with nothing but her own muscle power and long oars to propel her. Satellites keep her in touch with her family and French schoolchildren, but it is her internal will and desire that compose her mainstay. Despite her dramatic effort and the excitement she experienced, Fontenoy's description of her journey is rather dull. That said, her will and stamina are awe inspiring, and this tale will find a readership where her previous book was popular. Danise Hoover
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 166 pages
• Publisher: Arcade Publishing; First Edition edition (November 9, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1559708182
• ISBN-13: 978-1559708180
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,912,803 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly Inspirational, July 22, 2007

By 

Jonathan Camp (BELLEVUE, WA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Challenging the Pacific: The First Woman to Row the Kon-Tiki Route (Hardcover)

I've read both of Maud Fontenoy's books and cant wait to read the next one about her solo voyage around the world. If you want to inspire your daughter onto great accomplishments than a gift of these books may do it.

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect for any general-interest public library lending holding or for nautical collections., February 8, 2007

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Challenging the Pacific: The First Woman to Row the Kon-Tiki Route (Hardcover)

In 2003 the author became the first woman to row alone cross the North Atlantic ocean: in 2005 she challenged the Pacific - and won again. CHALLENGING THE PACIFIC tells of her journey, capturing both daily sailing challenges and long-term motivation and goals. Her story is true adventure at its best; perfect for any general-interest public library lending holding or for nautical collections.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch