What a thrilling read! A fabulously written account of the author’s various attempts at the unthinkable - rowing across an ocean. Fun, inspiring read.

Amazing. I would give this 10 stars if I could. Unbelievable physical and mental efforts, huge risks and challenges, and frequently terrifying conditions. It’s really well written and structured in an interesting way moving around his various journeys in a way that flows rather than just a diary style.

My only complaint would be I would have loved photos - I know the footage from one trip was lost - but a few inside and outside shots of the boats (even before launch not just on the water), and of him/ other people would really help.

Seeing this title may make the reader wonder how in the world can any person row across the entire ocean in a rowboat. This book by former Royal Marine Mick Dawson explains just how – and he has done it more than once. It should be noted that early in the book, Dawson explains that this is a specially designed rowboat – it is not the type that one typically sees on a lake or pond.

Encountering practically every type of peril that one can encounter in the open sea, Dawson writes about his adventures in a specially designed rowboat with equal parts humor and melancholy. It is especially poignant when he writes about family, especially when his father passed away.

However, that is not the main emotion will take away from the book as Dawson’s courage and endurance in his expeditions. The first attempt that Dawson attempted at rowing across the Pacific Ocean in 2004 is described in the beginning of the book and the reader will instantly be sucked into the adventure. Then future attempts, until he is finally successful in this quest, are covered in as exquisite detail as the first. There are some slow sections of the book when Dawson writes about things such as the repairs made to the boat before a race from San Juan or about his time in the Royal Marines, but they don’t detract from the adventure the reader will take along with Dawson.

This book is a decent read and recommended for readers who like to read about adventure in the high seas. I wish to thank Center Street for providing a copy of the book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.