Customer Reviews

Knockdown: The Harrowing True Account of a Yacht Race Turned Deadly

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

As a six-time competitor in the Sydney to Hobart (including the 1998 disaster), I've followed the recent wave of books about the event closely. Having read them all, this is the best. From what I saw, and from what others told me about their experiences, I found the author's account accurate and honest. One for the ages.

Knowing the basic outcome of the race, that people died, etc, didn't spoil the book at all. I felt as if I was in the race at times, but the race was only part of the story. I recommend this book for anyone interested in adventure, or in sailing.

The best book I've read all year. I was on the edge of my seat, feeling the sea spray on my face, getting queasy with the sailors -- Dugard takes you right there! An incredible, tragic journey and an adventure of a lifetime. I recommend this book highly

As a competitor in the Sydney-Hobart 1998 race in which 6 sailors died, I was looking forward to reading Dugard's book.

Sadly I discovered it was pulp fiction of the worst kind. I understand that Dugard only spent two days in Australia researching the events he attempts to detail. It shows.

His depiction of the Sword of Orion rollover, The Business Post Niad tragedy and the Winston Churchill life-raft story are all hopelessly confused and inaccurate. His lack of understanding of the sea and ocean racing is appalling.

This is not even good pulp fiction.

I found that I could not put this book down. Like the recent adventure book, "Into Thin Air," I was riveted to my seat to find out how everything works out in the end for the boats and their sailors. Even though I am not a sailor, I found that Dugard explained the subject matter of the inner workings of boats, their crews and races, without being tedious or boring so that even a lay person could understand it. It was obvious to me that Dugard had done extensive research on blue water adventure. I've bought this book for both my sailing and non-sailing adventure friends. Knockdown makes me want to go out and buy his other adventure book Surviving the Toughest Race on earth. A MUST NOT MISS.

Looking for some lessons in coping with a similar situation. Found a book written by a jounalist with no apparent experience. Amazed that he appears not to have sought competent sailors to fact check. " Sailors are never big on jumping in the water. Most don't wear life jackets or even have them on board" pg103

I have a maximum of 1,000 words to review "Knockdown" by Martin Dugard. I'll do it in three....harrowing, captivating and enlightening. Mr. Dugard has truly grown as an author! "Knockdown" is a wonderful sophmore effort following his autobiographical "Surviving the Toughest Race on Earth". Now I have two desires to accomplish before my passing.....The Raid Gauloises and the Sydney to Hobart Challenge. Thank you Mr. Dugard for persuasivly exposing your readers to life's true wild side!!

Just finished Knockdown by M. Dugard. I did not find his account of the race or the difficulties that the racers experienced to be captivating. I suspect that the problem does not lie with the story but with the storyteller. Advise against purchasing this book, but if a friend would loan it to you, go for it.

The tale itself wasinteresting and should have easily been transformed into a gripping read,but the author faltered. I think he has attempted to tell too many tales--the various sailors, the families at home, the rescuers, etc.--and the result is that there is no single character who grabs us and draws us into the unfolding events. Also, a bit overindulgent in the use of purple prose. It reads like the literature version of a soap opera--dramatic pronouncements, odd pauses, efforts to heighten drama through careful use of adjectives. Not very satisfying.

This book not only tells the amazing stories of the sailors and their boats, it educates on sailing and weather systems and why things could go so wrong. If you like sailing or if you know nothing about it, you'll like this book. Really interesting stuff. The author draws you in and you can not stop reading until you've read it all. Looking for the next book by this author.