Racing a Ghost Ship: The Incredible Journey of the Great American II [Hardcover]

Rick Wilson (Author), Rich Wilson (Author), Joann B. Guernsey (Editor)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up

Relates the journey of two skippers who set sail from San Francisco, navigated around Cape Horn, and arrived in Boston in time to beat the previous speed record.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-7-A sailing adventure around Cape Horn with a different twist. In 1993, Rich Wilson and one crew member sailed the 54-foot trimaran Great American II from San Francisco to Boston with a dual purpose. First, they were racing against the 76-day record of the clipper ship Northern Light, which made the same journey in 1853. Secondly, the race had an educational mission; it was interactively linked via a weekly newspaper column to 10,000 classrooms, and students could come "on board" while Rich wrote a log and answered their questions on the Prodigy computer network. These questions and Rich's answers are inserted throughout the book, extending the text and giving a voice to the on-line participants. The lively, well-written account balances technical information with the thrill of adventure and is illustrated with dramatic full-color photographs. Though the journey is relatively uneventful (and yes, they do beat the record by six days), the chapter describing a 1990 attempt when they lost their boat and almost their lives is positively hair-raising. Books describing similar escapades tend to be shelf-sitters, but this one makes a real attempt at kid appeal and succeeds.
Caroline Ward, Nassau Library System, Uniondale, NY
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 3^-6. Wilson recounts his successful 1993 voyage aboard a trimaran, the Great American II, south from San Francisco, around Cape Horn, and north to Boston. The journey, which broke an 1853 clipper ship speed record set by the Northern Light, was fraught with many ordeals and dangers, including rounding the Cape, where Wilson was nearly killed on an earlier expedition. The author describes his failed 1990 attempt, preparations for the second trip, and the highlights of his grand adventure. Frequent full-color photographs, diagrams, and maps help to break up the first-person, diarylike text and explain some of sailing's finer points. Insets featuring e-mail from students who followed the voyage online and personal sidelights (the asthmatic Wilson was originally drawn to sailing because the fresh sea air was easier to breathe) add further to the book's appeal. A good choice for sailing fans or classes studying modern explorers. Kay Weisman

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Hardcover: 50 pages
• Publisher: Walker & Company; First Edition edition (September 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802784151
• ISBN-13: 978-0802784155
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 9.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,997,156 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An inspiring well written story for children and adults., May 11, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Racing a Ghost Ship: The Incredible Journey of the Great American II (Hardcover)

Racing a Ghost Ship is an excellent book for children ages 9-16. Adults will also enjoy this inspiring story of a man with severe asthma who planned a sailing adventure that would demonstrate to children and adults that challenges should not stand in the way of dreams. This story is well written and illustrated with large full page color photos. A great book for families and classrooms.