July 28, 2014
Rackley’s first book offers a personal and historical account of one of the world’s most grueling competitions, the little-known Atlantic Rowing Race. Beginning with Norwegian fishermen George Harbo and Frank Samuelson, who in 1896, aboard the 18-foot Fox, successfully navigated the first safe dory passage across the Atlantic from New York to France in a mere 55 days, endurance enthusiasts have logged more than 300 successful ocean crossings. Still, 10 times as many people have climbed Mount Everest than rowed an ocean, and Rackley’s no-holds-barred portrayal of his own harrowing journey from Spain to Antigua helps explain why. By alternating between his own story and those of ocean-rowing pioneers, he effortlessly builds suspense and humor into what could have been a dry retelling of monotonous days at sea rowing naked, rationing food, and eluding storms and much larger vessels. Rackley writes with brutal candor and a storyteller’s flair—providing readers memorable on-board views of a world most will never see. Agent: Alex Christofi, Conville & Walsh (U.K.).