Although she denies it, Jessica Watson is a true hero adventurer, as Australia confirmed last week by naming her Young Australian of the Year. This book tells the story of her trip around the world, solo, non-stop and unassisted. This means that she was not allowed to land anywhere or receive physical help from anyone. She did have telephone and internet contact with friends and a whole support team to give her sophisticated weather reports and advice on how to fix broken equipment. She had to do it all--from sailing under very difficult conditions to repairing a broken diesel engine and other equipment.
This book is the story of Jessica's odyssey, beginning with a young girl's incredible dream and ending with thousands of Australians cheering her arrival in Sydney harbour at journey's end. The book is written around her blog, on which she gave almost daily reports of her trip. When she arrived home, Jessica wove her retrospective thoughts around the blog narrative, giving the reader insight into what she was feeling and how she kept herself going emotionally, telling some of the things she did not want to put in the blog. It is a saga that moves from long periods of boredom to sheer terror as sudden storms toss her boat around and even upside down. Sometimes all she could do was go into the cabin strap herself in and wait for it to be over. Above all, Jessica is a gifted writer, even without an editor. She did not have one when writing her blogs. The Kindle addition has hotlinks along the way to video blogs that Jessica posted on her journey.
It was a life changing experience. Jessica left Australia as a girl and returned several months later as a young woman. Her story should be an inspiration for any young person that you can live your dream and make a difference in the world. One of the reasons Jessica wanted to take on this adventure was that as a teenage girl people did not take seriously her skills as a sailor. In fact, before she left, many were questioning the wisdom of letting her attempt this trip. At her welcome home, they were silent. If she has accomplished nothing else, she knows that no one will ever dismiss her as a silly girl again!
I hope this book will inspire other young people to take up sailing. Being a solo sailor teaches you to use the wind and your boat. It expands your knowledge of both what you can do and what you can't. For those of us that are older, it is an exciting story and an encouraging bit of inspiration in times when most of the news is troubling.
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Join or create book clubs
Choose books together
Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.
Frequently bought together
$23.16
Get it May 21 - Jun 6
In stock
Usually ships within 2 to 3 days.
+
Total price:
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Choose items to buy together.
Similar items that may ship from close to you
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
About the author
Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Top reviews from other countries
Maria Teresa Reif
O texto é contemporâneo e de fácil compreensão. A história é relevante
Reviewed in Brazil on July 15, 2023
Sharon Batchelor
For keen sailors
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 12, 2024
