Customer Reviews

Daring The Sea: The True Story of the First Men to Row Across the Atlantic Ocean

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

With all the adventure stories out there, this one from the late 1800's has been lost or forgotten until revived by the author. THis is a disservice, because the two men who rowed across the Atlantic in this story from New YOrk to FRance in an open rowboat have yet to have their time of 55 days equaled. In an age of GPS tracking systems, fancy boat materials and Olympic type training regimens, two clamdiggers from New York did what no one has done before or since.THe author gives us a little background on their lives, and reconstructs their voyage from the original journals. What these men went through in an open boat across the Atlantic rivals the voyage of Shackleton from the Antarctic. Though one could argue that the two men did the deed for less than honorable reasons (they hoped for fame and fortune), both men were so low key that we quickly forgive them. And because it takes place in the 1890's we realize that they were not adrenaline seekers, just men who sought a little better position in the world for themselves and their families.

THe book is a fast 300 page read that sucks you in and has you on the edge of their seat as the two men withstand storms, capsizing, sharks encircling their boat and of course, their own doubts and those of their families.

A thrilling ride!

It's hard to believe that this is a true story and even harder to understand why this story (and this book) are such well kept secrets. David Shaw has done an excellent job of telling not just the incredible story of their row across the Atlantic, but he effectively tells us the life stories of the 2 subjects while skillfully weaving in what American life at the turn of the century was all about. Great story, great book, easy read, about two men who lived incredibly difficult lives...this book puts things in perspective.

George Harbo and Frank Samuelson are drawn to each other as Norwegian immigrants to late 19th Century America, both by their shared background and their common love for the sea on which they make their living. It's a spare living at best, though, despite the opportunities the U.S. offers that Norway does not. After years of trying to build financially successful lives, George finds himself separated from his growing family because his wife is better able to care for their children by returning to Norway; and Frank worries over his younger siblings who arrive in New York expecting to find miracles there. The friends come up with a plan to win fame, and with it (hopefully) fortune, by setting a world record. Under the sponsorship of a New York tabloid, they will row across the Atlantic Ocean. No one's ever done that before; and as New York prepares to see them off, just about everyone else seems sure they're heading to their deaths.

This clearly wasn't an easy story to tell engagingly, and I give its author plenty of credit for handling it as well as he did. The first chapters, which provide the background for the crossing itself, presented a bit of a slog for me; but the crossing was harrowing reading, the kind that kept me turning pages because knowing the ending already did nothing to allay the suspense. The tale is based solidly on documentation, despite the author's use of dialog that had to be fabricated, and the historical context provided goes a long way toward making the voyage's ironic aftermath both understandable and touching. Not the best written true adventure I've read, but a pretty good one overall.

Though this story would have been exciting as a work of non-fiction, author Shaw's choice of fictionalizing the first transatlantic rowboat voyage gave him license to paint a couple of truly appealing characters and a picture of being on the ocean that left me feeling wet, tired, cold, and exhilarated after finally making port. You can't ask for more than that from a book printed on paper truly meant to be thrown away after one reading...

In 1997, my cousin Jerry Bryant wrote a wonderful sea shanty/folksong simply titled "The Ballad of Harbo and Samuelson - a tribute to these two remarkable men after Jerry had completed a lot of research (but not as much as Mr. Shaw). "We'll see you in France or we'll see you in heaven, cried Harbo and Samuelson out on the bay" goes the chorus. After hearing this song, I began looking for more on this voyage, that as one previous reviewer of this book said, "has been kept a remarkable secret". And I found it in this book. Anyone with a thirst for doing the impossible, with a taste for adventure, and an amazement at the human spirit, will enjoy this book immensely - I read it in one night.

David W. Shaw captures the taste of salt in this well written and researched book. It is a page turner not only because of the subject matter but the author obviously knows what the sea is capable of with first hand knowledge. The reader can taste the salt and viscerally feel the ordeal these men went through. It is sad that these men were so soon forgotten and wonderful that Shaw has brought this story back to life.

Two intrepid men set out to row across the Atlantic, at a time when new exploits were filling the news. The two men thought their feat, if successful, would bring them fame and fortune. Being life long watermen, they were well suited to the daunting task, and it was a near-deadly challenge! David Shaw masterfully captures the dangers of storms at sea and the physical and emotional challenges involved. The men were Norwegian immigrants to the US and were having a difficult time earning a living in the 1890s. The idea of rowing across the Atlantic seemed to be within their capabilities and might possiblty be a path toward 'real money'. Against all odds, in an open, small row-boat, they succeeded. But they never excited the imagination of the public and their gains never materialized. If you like adventures and challenge writing, or if you like sea stories, this is for you.

This book has a sad side to it: the men who first rowed across the Atlantic expected to become rich and famous. It is too bad that these incredible men could not have simply gloried in their amazing feat. There should have been overwhelming happiness for them to have accomplished so much. I enjoyed reading this book for two main reasons. One, the author sets a tone of excitement which keeps the reader's adrenaline flowing. Two, I stand in awe of these men of such endurance and resourcefulness.

Two men ROWING across the Atlantic Ocean. Need I write more? Motivated by the desire to be something more than common immigrant fishermen living in New Jersey. They fought the sea and their bodies to achieve a goal that most can only dream about. You will be amazed that you have never heard their names before. Better late than never!!!

One of the better oceanic adventures I've read in a while. Very descriptive writing. One book that you kind of fall into and forget you're reading at all-- you are there with them in that boat. Much better than The Perfect Storm, which I liked. More exciting than Kon Tiki, although that was good, too. It was very close to Shackleton's adventures in the Arctic by Lansing which is my favorite adventure.