Petersen’s thrilling narrative places him among the ranks of such famous sailors as Joshua Slocum and Sir Francis Chichester. Petersen describes mining for diamonds underwater; rounding Cape Horn; surviving near-fatal accidents, killer storms, and a mid-Atlantic collision; capsizing in the Roaring Forties; and overcoming heartbreak, loneliness, continual financial difficulties, and adversity at every turn. His heroic experiences illustrate the incredible resourcefulness required of a sailor, especially one alone at the helm of a homemade boat. His gripping account of the 1998–99 Around Alone race, made famous by the mid-ocean rescue of the French sailor Isabelle Autissier, will become a classic of nautical writing.
While Petersen sailed his boat alone, his story extends beyond himself. He describes the unforgettable individuals who have sustained him—an activist mother, a generous community of Irish citizens, a cadre of eminent sailors including his mentor Harry Mitchell, and the woman who ultimately ended their relationship because Petersen chose to follow his dreams of sailing.
Written with a freshness and style that reflect his unstoppable optimism, the story of Petersen’s compelling journey is a testament to endurance, survival, perseverance, and ingenuity. His autobiography vividly portrays both the sacrifice and joy entangled in this love affair with the sea. Journey of a Hope Merchant is proof that the harshest lessons learned at sea apply to all aspects of life and that even the wildest dreams are attainable.
