A Friar's Bloodfeud (Knights Templar series)

Book Description

Bailiff Simon Puttock’s servant, Hugh, has been granted leave to look after his wife, Constance, and to help raise their child. But soon after, she is attacked in their home, raped by a gang of men. Then she watches as her son is murdered and Hugh is struck down, before she too is killed and the house set afire. When Simon and Sir Baldwin Furnshill, Keeper of the King’s Peace, arrive at the grisly scene, the cottage is burned to the ground, the body of the child lying outside. Inside is a woman’s torso, badly charred. There are no remains of Hugh, but the fire raged so fiercely that all believe he has perished. But nothing is so simple. Simon vows revenge, and there are dark forces lurking that will cause no end of mayhem and bloodshed.

Customer Reviews:

Good Literature, Good History.......2006-09-10

I, unfortunately, was only introduced to Michael Jecks' Templar Mystery Series this year. I had missed reading a good historical fiction / mystery. There are few who are good in this genre, who really do have some grasp of the historical period they "work in." It is only a few months ago that I read my first Jeck's mystery and at the end of August, 2006 I find myself having read all of his books to date and can't wait until the November release of his latest work in the U.S. I will have to go back to technical works, etc. until I can read another Jeck's book. My only regret is that this masterful writer can't produce more books, but that would not be humanly possible. It is a marvel that he is as productive as he is.

BTW, one cannot but become "close" to his primary characters.
If anyone is offended by any content, it is, after all, early 16th century England and the religio-political life he describes is well documented. If I were writing the books, I might have toned down some things, etc., but then I am not much of an author either as is the good Mr. Jeck's.

My "hat is off" to Jeck's who persists in writing well and often and not always appreciated for the quality of his work.
One would think BBC or other producer would give a try adapting his work to the screen even the little one (Telly).

Just as Good as the Rest.......2006-07-22

For those readers who are familiar with Michael Jecks books, this one is just as good as all the rest. For those who have not read Michael Jecks, but like historical novels, particularly about medieval England, you are in for all real treat.

The two main characters in the books are Sir Baldwin de Furnshill and Bailiff Simon Puttock. Sir Baldwin is an ex Crusader knight, who has managed to escape the wrath of the French King who ordered the destruction of the Order and all of its members.

Sir Baldwin is now the head of the family manor after the death of his brother and is also Keeper of the King's Peace in Devon.

Word reaches Simon that a gang of men have broken into the house of his servant Hugh and attacked the family. When Simon reaches the cottage he find it burnt to the ground and the bodies already buried. It would seem that Hugh must have perished in a dreadful accident, but Simon and Sir Baldwin begin to suspect that there is much more to it than that

Average customer rating:

A Friar's Bloodfeud (SIGNED)
Michael Jecks
Manufacturer: Headline
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000GTNV6U

Average customer rating:

A Friar's Bloodfeud
Michael Jecks
Manufacturer: Headline Book Pub Ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000PSN2L6

Average customer rating:

Friar's Bloodfeud
Michael Jecks
Manufacturer: HEADLINE (HODD)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000K2T5UE

Average customer rating:

It's a far scarier world in 2027.

It's a mixture of MAD MAX and ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK

desert dawn-excellant

Highly Recommended
Desert Dawn: Damnation
Russell Paine
Manufacturer: Lulu.com
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Dark Fantasy | Horror | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
General | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1411627784

Book Description

The war was over, but it left Mother Earth in a devastating state. But America was fighting their own battles, as drugs and violent gangs overran the inner cities. Now that the President had Canada's Ozone Chemical, he had a plan. Although this newly invented chemical could rebuild the Ozone layer, the effects on humans proved to be deadly. But to him it was a solution. He felt it was the answer to start over. It was time for a new and cleaner world. But first he must weed out the good from the garbage. Then he can rule the world.

Customer Reviews:

It's a far scarier world in 2027. .......2006-01-27

The story takes place in the not too distant future. A time when technology is advanced, maybe too far advanced. The book shows what the reliance of technology can do to humanities existence. One person or the wrong persons having too much power and not putting into place any safeguards, etc...

The female lead character is strong, but not to the point of being another Wonder Woman. She is tough, yet the story shows her weaknesses.

You will find a lot of symbolism and irony throughout the book. The book reads fast, however, you will be thinking about it long after you've read the last page.

It's a mixture of MAD MAX and ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK.......2005-10-23

This book is filled with action and danger and in the middle of Newark, New Jersey, the military attacks civilians in order to create a new world and the streets are a battlefield as the soldiers try to overpower the criminals of the state. But one soldier knows the truth behind the chaos. Now Corp.Skye must stop the President's evil deed, but at the same time, she can trust no one. But time is running out, as a highly powerful chemical bomb is about to be launch onto the un-expecting world.

An intense book if you like end of the world stories.

desert dawn-excellant.......2005-09-15

Desert Dawn is an exciting look at how our world could become and the possiblities for its destruction. From the exciting fight scenes to the clever way Paine uses the secret of Niagra Falls to weave his tale of corruption, greed and power. A book I could not put down! Cannot wait for the story to continue.

Highly Recommended.......2005-09-03

The year is 2027, America is a sh*thole with gangs and the goverment is just as evil. The President is fed-up with how the world is turning out, and has a brillent plan to wipe out mankind. Only keeping people who may help the new america instead of destorying it, his army goes into violent cities and weeds out the good from the bad. But one soldier is against the Preident's plan in destroying the world with a newly formed chemical and tries with the help of a powerful druglord to stop him.
A Must Read!!!

Book Description

The Fat Flush Foods: The World's Best Foods, Seasonings, and Supplements to Flush the Fat From Every Body

Everything you need to know about the top fifty Fat Flushing foods

The New York Times bestselling The Fat Flush Plan is helping millions lose weight, cleanse their bodies, and lead healthier lives by eating foods that flush away fat while building vitality and strength. Now The Fat Flush Foods highlights the "super" foods, herbs, spices, and supplements that help you speed up fat loss and reap maximum health benefits. The Fat Flush Foods features:

The Top 50 Super Foods that burn fat, boost your metabolism, and detoxify your body while controlling cholesterol and blood sugar levels
The best thermogenic culinary herbs and spices-including ginger, cayenne, mustards, anise, fennel, and cinnamon
The latest research on the antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties of these foods
Tips that make fat flushing easy, economical, and delicious

Customer Reviews:

Informative.......2007-08-23

I thought it very interesting and wasn't really aware of what I was doing to my body. I have since with a couple of my friends revised the way we eat know. No bread (yeast) products have gone past my lips in over a month now. I have also tried different things like seaweed and dulse and just add more protein to my diet. I haven't been able to fit into many things at the beginning of spring/summer but can now. I never feel as full any more and I only eat when hungry not when I just crave something.
thank you so much.

Fat Flush Foods.......2007-07-29

Classic herbs which help to flush fat are flaxseed oil, anise,
cayenne, cinnamon, cumin, fennel seed, garlic and parsley.
Apple seed vinegar, cranberry , B12 and flaxseed oil help to flush
cholesterol. Lemons act as a detoxifier. Lamb acts to stabilizer
blood sugar, as well as salmon and whey protein.

Other fat flush foods are fresh veggies,asparagus, broccoli, cabbage,
cauliflower, jicama (potato and apple cross) and cucumber.
The acquisition would be perfect to supplement any formal diet plan.
As such, it would be a good value for the price charged.

Great information!.......2007-07-15

This book taught me a lot about what foods I should be eating. Very informative and easy to read.

You can't go wrong if you buy it!.......2007-07-13

This is a very useful guide. This book is a collection of foods, supplements, and herbs/spices that Ann Gittleman considers her top fat "flushers." She gives you some background on the item; what the fat flush factors are (Blood Sugar Stabilizer; Cholesterol Zapper; Detoxifier; Diuretic; Energizer; Thermogenic); recommended usage; facts about the item; how to boost the benefits; cooking tips; caution tips. The herb/spices section has been very helpful to me. I know very little about seasoning dishes. Ann Gittleman has helped me a great deal in this department by compiling all this information into a handy guide made especially for fat flushers. You'll find it full of valuable information to help you prepare better meals which in turn helps you to lose weight and keep it off. You can't go wrong if you buy it!

Great Reference Book!.......2007-06-22

I am glad I ordered this book. I refer to it each week to plan my meals. It makes it much easier to stay on a healthy eating track.

Book Description

Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia are located in Southeast Asia. Because of the rich mix of cultures, ethnic groups, and religions, the cuisine of those three countries are greatly influenced by each other as well as such neighboring cultures as China and India. these distinctly diverse blends of culinary characteristics from Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia represent the cultural interchange of the region ¡V a true crossroads of Asia.

The dishes of SINGAPORE combine spices and cuisine from all over Asia. Hainan Chicken and Rice (Nasi Ayam), Noodles in Spicy Coconut Milk Soup (Laksa Lemak), and Spiced Sparerib Soup (Bak Kut Teh) are Singapore¡¦s most popular dishes. MALAYSIAN cuisine combines the delicacy of Chinese food with Indian spices and regional herbs; famous dishes include Penang Noodle Soup (Penang Laksa), Lacy Pancakes (Roti Jala) and Beef Sate (Sate Daging). INDONESIAN food is known for its unique and exceptional spicy aromas and flavored dishes such as Sticky Yellow Rice (Nasi Kunjit) with Spicy Chicken Braised in Coconut Milk (Rendang Ayam), Batavia Beef Soup with Glass Noodles (Soto Betawi) and Balinese Fried Fish (Ikan Bumbu Bali). Rarely indeed, has a cookbook come along that combines within one cookbook cover, the tantalizing cuisine from these three cultures so well.

Customer Reviews:

Amazing Authentic Cookbook!.......2004-07-11

Being a native Indonesian far away from home, I crave for the rich and savory flavor of the cuisine from these three countries. Unlike Thai cuisine, Singaporean, Malaysian and Indonesian cuisine is still not well known here in United States. Therefore there are limited restaurants that offer this cuisine. You can imagine my agony of having to suppress my craving until I make a trip to these restaurants in NYC or Toronto. It all changed after I bought this cookbook. This cookbook is amazing! It contains 68 recipes that are divided into Singaporean, Malaysian and Indonesian recipe sections. A one-page spread picture accompanies each recipe, which is very helpful for people who are not familiar with this cuisine. The author starts by introducing the countries and their cuisine followed by glossary of ingredients, seasonings, spices and herbs. It then continues with recipes for stocks, condiments, pickled salads, sambal chilli sauces (used like chutneys in Indian cuisine), and assorted spice pastes. These spice pastes are used in a lot of the recipes and they are what give this cuisine its fragrant, rich and savory flavors. This book offers specialties from Singapore (Hainan chicken rice, spiced sparerib soup, spring roll, laksa, spicy crabs, sweet coconut rice balls, etc), Malaysia (fried noodle, coconut rice, sate, beef curry,vegetable with grated coconut, etc) and Indonesia (beef rendang, eggs in spicy red sauce, java salad or gado gado, turmeric fried chicken, etc). I have tried more than a dozen of the recipes and they all taste fantastic! Most of all they taste authentic. They are a huge hit with my American boyfriend and roomate. There are some ingredients that are hard to find, even in Asian markets (especially in small towns). I had to shop online at an Indonesian grocery store to find most of the hard to find ingredients like candlenut, dried galangal, pandan leaves, palm sugar, kaffir leaves and shrimp paste. However, they are worth it. I use dried galangal because I don't have access to fresh ones. I substitute fresh red chilli with bottled ground chilli paste called Sambal Oelek. It works just as wonderful! I think this is the most authentic and remarkable cookbook I have. It is simple, clear, precise and a gem. I would recommend this cookbook if you want to bring authentic new flavors to your table. It helps ease my homesickness. Nowadays, I call my mom up to say "I made beef rendang today!"... something I had never said before this cookbook.

Amazing!.......2004-06-17

After having now tried almost every recipe in this book, I can say that they are all absolutely delicious! This cookbook is essential for anyone who wants to learn how to cook Indo/Malay/Sing food. My boyfriend is Indonesian and had been bugging me for some of his childhood favorites such as Lontong. The satay is the best I have ever had, in or out of Indonesia. The recipes are also super easy. There is no complicated preparation for any of the recipes. Even someone who is a novice could make these with ease (and they will taste great!). I live in Tallahassee and we have one not too big Asian market. With a little searching, I found virtually all of the ingredients needed. Most of the ingredients are readily availible in your average grocery store. If you do have an Asian market, even a small one, they can often find something that you need, so don't be afraid to ask. The book itself is perfectly laid out and there are color photos of every single dish. I highly recommend this cookbook!

My best cookbook find yet!!.......2003-09-19

Finally, a cookbook that satisfies my frequent cravings for foods like padang spicy beef, sate, and hainan chicken!! After living in Southeast Asia for a number of years, I fell in love with the cuisine of this region and since then, I've been searching long and hard for a cookbook like this one to come out. It's easy enough to find decent cookbooks for Thai food or Vietnamese food these days, as a single search will turn up thousands of results, but it's truly a rare find to come across a cookbook on the foods of Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore - especially one of this quality! The recipes, each of which is accompanied by a large, beautiful picture, are concise and easy to follow, and the food itself is simply amazing. Now that I have this book, I no longer have to suppress my cravings or fight the urge to fly back to the islands to get my fix of Gado Gado (Java styled salad), Kari Sapi (Malaysian beef curry), or Kangkung Tumis (spicy, Singaporean water spinach). Funny thing is, I never thought I would ever be able to make these foods myself! But what surprised me most was the fact that these dishes tasted even better than I remembered, coming out of my own kitchen no less! (now *that* is truly incredible). So do yourself a favor and buy this book - you'll not only save tons of money you'd otherwise spend at mediocre Malaysian/Indonesian/Singaporean restaurants in the area (if there even are such restaurants available to you), but you'll also be able to impress everyone with your newfound ability to cook dishes as delicious and as hard to come by as the ones shared in this cookbook. Definitely worth every penny and more!

What a treasure!.......2003-07-14

This cookbook is a 'must have' for those who want a taste of Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. The instruction is easy to follow, and the result is amazing! My first attempt on some of the dishes featured was already a hit with friends. Among the favorites are Spicy Crab (pg 37), Grilled Fish with Sweet Soy Sauce (pg 87) and Mixed Vegetables with Grated Coconut (pg 53). Creative presentation of the dishes captured in the full color photographs is another plus factor of this book.

Authentic taste! Great for entertaining or home dining!

Average customer rating:

Tijddlywink10

Buy the book before the Newf!

A Must Have Book for all Newfie Lovers and Wanna Be's

Calling all dog lovers!

This book is good for you and for our Newfie friends

Ninety-Nine Newfies
Pat Seawell
Manufacturer: 1st Books Library
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Dogs | Animal Care & Pets | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
General | Animal Care & Pets | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Essays | Animal Care & Pets | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
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In the Company of Newfies: A Shared Life

New-found-friends

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ASIN: 0759663297

Customer Reviews:

Tijddlywink10.......2004-07-15

I ordered this book since I was soon to get a newfie pup. I am so glad I did. The book is filled with 99 different stories about 99 newfies. They are short reads that touch your heart. I just have to share the stories with whoever is around while I am reading it! It is a fun and inspiring book. Although there are no pictures ( I like to see photos of the dogs) it is still an excellent book.

Buy the book before the Newf!.......2003-03-03

This book is for anyone who's ever wanted a newfoundland dog! Know what your up against BEFORE you welcome one of these drool slinging, fur dropping, vacumn killing puppers into your life! 'Cause once you do, your done. Your life will no longer be your own, neither will your bank account, house, or anything else you used to hold in high esteem . This book will show you the ups and downs, the laughter and tears, and frighteningly, how much smarter they are than us!
Read this book to understand you are getting so much more than a "dog". You are getting a human in a dog suit, in other words a Newfoundland!

A Must Have Book for all Newfie Lovers and Wanna Be's.......2002-04-06

This book shows the true sides - all the wonderful traits that we grow to love. Including the stuff only a Newfie "parent" can appreciate!

Of course, with 4 of the stories being about my "grandpuppies", I had to have it on my bookshelf!

Calling all dog lovers!.......2002-04-03

This is a must have for any owner or wanna-be owner of a Newf (or any dog for that matter)! Through the eyes of many different people you can pull together a true picture of what life with a Newfie can be, from the good to the sad to the ridiculous. The varying perspectives come together to show what wonderful, loyal, loving furballs these `Gentle Giants' are and how much they can add to your life. In addition, 90% of the profits made on this book are going to the Newfoundland Health Challenge for scientific research to benefit this beautiful breed. You'll laugh, you'll cry and you'll want to hug a Newfie! Congratulations and thank you Pat for putting it all together :)

This book is good for you and for our Newfie friends.......2002-03-14

While readers of this book will enjoy the benefits of generous doses of laughter (and sometimes tears), Newfoundland dogs everywhere will benefit from the purchase of "Ninety-Nine Newfies." The author, Pat Seawell, is generously donating 90% of the book's profits to the Newfoundland Health Challenge, a trust run by the Newfoundland Club of America, which funds scientific research into Newfie health problems. So buy the book to bring joy to yourself and to bring improved health to our Newfoundland friends.

Book Description

Over 1000 attractive and usable designs printed on one side of a page only include Baroque, Rococo, Victorian, more. Illustrations of corners, scrolls, cornucopia, chinoiserie, festoons, ribbons, much more. Designs are repeated with flopped copies so entire project can be completed. 60 plates.

Customer Reviews:

I'm frustrated.......2001-02-15

I just wanted to have a book of motifs that can be used without coloring. however, all of the motifs are black and white. So if you want ready to use motifs, the book is not suitable for you.

Average customer rating:
Traditional Two Block Quilts
Sally Saulmon
Manufacturer: American Quilter's Society
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Patchwork | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Quilts & Quilting | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
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15 Two-Block Quilts: Unlocked the Secrets of Secondary Patterns

Hidden Block Quilts: Discover New Blocks Inside Traditional Favorites; 13 Quilt Settings; Instructions for 55 Blocks

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9-Patch Pizzazz: Fast, Fun & Finished in a Day

ASIN: 1574328867

Book Description

By taking two or more traditional block patterns in the same quilt, the author takes us to a new level of design. Quilters will recognize many old friends in these charming two-block quilts, such as Log Cabin, Sawtooth Star, Churn Dash, and Nine-Patch. There are also a few blocks that are a little unusual, and some three-block quilts were thrown into the mix just for fun.Whether you are an early intermediate quilter or a more experienced quilter, these quick, classy projects will fill your needs. All the blocks are constructed in simple units familiar to quilters, mostly squares, rectangles, strips, and half- and quarter-square triangles. Measurements are provided for those pieces that lend themselves to rotary cutting, and patterns are included for odd-sized pieces and appliqus.Quilters are encouraged to strike out on their own with simple identification of those blocks that will produce the best results, including a description of the properties of quilt blocks and various setting variations. Also learn how to create the illusion of sashing, and circles from straight lines.

Book Description

Color woodblock prints vibrantly convey the popular urban culture of eighteenth- and nineteenth-century Edo, now called Tokyo. In a book that brings together two of Edo's most colorful traditions, prints and kites, John Stevenson celebrates the charm and significance of the mass-produced but often elegant broadsheets known as ukiyo-e. The term means "pictures of the floating world," a pun on a Buddhist concept of the fleeting world of desires that is, coincidentally but poetically, appropriate for a study of kites borne on the wind. Edo artists experimented with woodblock-printing techniques during the eighteenth century as kite-flying became increasingly popular. Each influenced the other: kite-makers copied woodblock-print designs to decorate their creations of bamboo, cloth, and paper, and printers used images of kites in their designs.

The prints from the Skinner Collection illustrated in this book are products of Tokugawa Edo (1603-1867) and Meiji Tokyo (1868-1912). They record highlights of the Kabuki theater, brothels, and Sumo wrestling, enthusiastically presenting star actors and celebrity courtesans and vignettes of everyday life. These images capture for us the character of life as it was lived and imagined by the printmakers and kite-fliers of Old Japan. It seems that everyone thrills to the sight of a kite straining upward into the sky, and woodblock prints are perhaps the most accessible form of traditional Japanese visual culture; kite aficionados and lovers of Japanese art alike will be delighted by this study.

Customer Reviews:

Informative, engaging study of kites in Japanese culture.......2004-09-28

Flying kites was a part of the traditional culture of the major Japanese city of Edo (present-day Tokyo). Also a center for traditional Japanese printmaking, it was natural that kites and kite-flying would often be depicted on prints. Stevenson, who has spent much time in Asia, treats the intertwined subjects of kites and prints with a historical overview that includes frequent discussions of particular kites and prints. "These kites [depicted in a print] must be large: the kite the young men are flying requires two to control the line, with a third looping the line into a basket." Besides depicting ceremonial or recreational kite-flying, prints could also use kites symbolically, as when one artist suggests that confetti falling from a kite could be seeds being scattered over a field by farmers hoping for a good harvest. Such symbolisms indicate the meaningful place held by kites in the culture, almost as if they were religious or ritualistic objects. Stevenson's narrative and analyses for newcomers to the subject or advanced students complemented by colorful prints and details of them, including a number of large fold-outs, brings this somewhat specialized subject to life. With the author's special interest in kites as a part of Asian culture and his many years living in Asia, the subject seems second nature to him. He writes about it both naturally and knowledgeably, as if one were listening to an absorbing lecturer.

Amazon.com

The Southern Ocean is the sailor's Everest. These are unquestionably the most dangerous waters in the world: hurricane infested, frigid, wholly unpredictable, and so remote, according to Derek Lundy, that "only a few astronauts have ever been further from land than a person on a vessel in that position." Encircling Antarctica, this fearsome body of water has terrorized sailors and wrecked the ablest of ships throughout maritime history. Imagine, then, a round-the-world, single-handed sailing race of the most extreme kind--no stopping, no assistance--requiring each lone sailor to spend half the total race distance (roughly 13,000 miles) fighting this nightmarish, merciless sea.

The race is the Vendee Globe, and The Godforsaken Sea is the story of the 1996-1997 competition. Fourteen men and two women began the race in Les Sables-d'Olonne, France. Six officially finished; three were wrecked and rescued; one sailor performed emergency surgery on himself mid-race; one perished. This is high adventure of the most gripping, perilous sort, demanding a tightly controlled, suspenseful narrative: "Visualize a never-ending series of five- or six-story buildings, with sloping sides of various angles ... moving towards [the sailors] at forty miles an hour. Some of the time, the top one or two stories will collapse on top of them." But Lundy delivers more, weaving a superior fabric of psychology and physics, action and reflection. Even the utter novice will emerge understanding the architecture of racing vessels, the evolution of storms, the physical and psychological courage required to survive five-and-a half months battling the ocean alone.

Sailing aficionados may already believe that the Vendee Globe is the pinnacle of extreme sports. With Lundy's help, armchair adventurers can dig in and hang on for the ride. --Svenja Soldovieri

Book Description

"The best book ever written about the terrifying business of single-handed sailing--.  Lundy tells a harrowing tale, as tight and gripping as The Perfect Storm or Into Thin Air."--San Francisco Chronicle

A chilling account of the world's most dangerous sailing race, the Vendée Globe, Godforsaken Sea is at once a hair-raising adventure story, a graceful evocation of the sailing life, and a thoughtful meditation on danger and those who seek it.

This is the story of the 1996-1997 Vendée Globe, a solo sailing race that binds its competitors to just a few, cruelly simple rules: around the world from France by way of Antarctica, no help, no stopping, one boat, one sailor. The majority of the race takes place in the Southern Ocean, where icebergs and gale-force winds are a constant threat, and the waves build to almost unimaginable heights.  As author Derek Lundy puts it: "try to visualize a never-ending series of five- or six-story buildings moving toward you at about forty miles an hour."

The experiences of the racers reveal the spirit of the men and women who push themselves to the limits of human endeavor--even if it means never returning home.  You'll meet the gallant Brit who beats miles back through the worst seas to save a fellow racer, the sailing veteran who calmly smokes cigarette after cigarette as his boat capsizes, and the Canadian who, hours before he disappears forever, dispatches this message: "If you drag things out too long here, you're sure to come to grief."

Derek Lundy elevates the story of one race into an appreciation of those thrill-seekers who embody the most heroic and eccentric aspects of the human condition.

Customer Reviews:

Godforsaken Sea.......2007-10-18

Godforsaken Sea is one of the best books I have ever read, particularly as I have sailed in the storm that wrecked the Fastnet race in 1995 so have some idea of what the single handed commpetors sailing round the Antartic endured.They were surfing down waves 30 meters high under full sail at 40 knots and if this was not enough had to gibe a 200 square Meter spinnaker at night without any help. Moreover it was not safe on deck so this is a stupendous feat.They could lose a rudder from flotsam and had to do all repairs to rigging alone.It is a pity that the paper-back edition does not have the photographs

A Thorough Dissection of An Amazing Race.......2007-06-18

This book hovers between the thrill of reading an exciting story about life and death situations during solo sailing on the open ocean and the tedium of absorbing a barrage of information about the world of sail racing. Still, Derek Lundy manages this balance with reasonable skill. The story is well researched and the writing is competent, if at times a bit heavy. My only real complaint is that the flow of information could have been better organized to make it easier for the reader to keep track of the characters and their constantly changing status during the race. Well worth the read if you have any interest in stories about people who risk their comfort and their lives to endure and survive earth's most challenging environments.

Often thrilling, informative.......2006-12-11

However disjointed, this story still excites and intrigues. I found myself staying up late to finish chapters and search the internet for more about the Vendee Globe boats and racers. I was fascinated by the racers' skill and courage as they faced life-and-death situations. Like another reviewer, I think I saw the method to the author's style, which provided narrative to create interest mixed with backstory and more technical data to give the narrative context. Although not seamless, I think the it works pretty well. Also, the story would not have been as compelling without that context.

Or: How The French Seem To Do Everything Just A Little Bit Better........2006-08-01

The old adage "Don't judge a book by it's cover" is usually a good one, but the fact that the art director of GODFORSAKEN SEA actually used the exact same cover photo as Pete Goss's CLOSE TO THE WIND is an indication of what a supernumerary book this really is.

Derek Lundy is an (Anglo?-) Canadian attorney-turned-sailor-turned-author. He has some recreational blue water cruising experience. He is the most rabid Francophile I have ever come across (frankly, that alone would cost him a star with most reviewers). He describes GODFORSAKEN SEA as "the story of the Vendee Globe and Gerry Roufs" but it isn't. That's one of the problems with GODFORSAKEN SEA: Lundy isn't ever quite certain what this book is about, and so he hopscotches from one topic to another and back again like a frantic capuchin monkey.

If it were the story of Gerry Roufs (the only Canadian entrant in the 1996-97 Globe Vendee, and the only sailor to lose his life), GODFORSAKEN SEA would be a fine book. Lundy clearly identifies with Roufs, a (French-) Canadian attorney-turned sailor, rather like himself. Still, we find out relatively little about Roufs, his life, or his boat. Roufs may have disappeared in a gale, but he was a human being, never a cypher; he had a full life, which Lundy does poorly in reporting, and it's a shame, because GODFORSAKEN SEA could have been a fine memorial to the man.

Lundy's attempts to draw parallels between the squalls he's sailed through and the hundred foot waves and hurricane winds of the Southern Ocean are sincere attempts to identify with the solo circumnavigators of the Vendee on some level. They may seem silly but they're forgivable.

What isn't forgivable is Lundy's chaotic approach to the story. One minute he is mourning Gerry Roufs, the next he is singing the praises of each of the French entrants, then afterward he warns us perseveratively about the nasty conditions of the Southern Ocean. He takes a breath to discuss racing yacht design, and then he is reminiscing about his sailing experiences. A few asides are thrown in about the entrants' earlier sailing experiences, and he's back to weatherfax technology, Bordeaux wine or straightforward (but incomplete) race reportage: All this, over and over and over.

GODFORSAKEN SEA is in desperate need of an editor, but editing probably would have reduced this book to a third of it's 272 pages, making it less marketable. As it stands, GODFORSAKEN SEA isn't quite Godforsaken; but it sure could use a prayer or two. Pete Goss's CLOSE TO THE WIND is a better written book about the same Globe Vendee, and if it focuses on Goss more exclusively, at least it isn't suffering from literary Attention Deficit Disorder.

TWO AND A HALF STARS: All based on the innate quality of the story of the 1996-97 Globe Vendee.

Gets Better as She Goes!.......2006-06-09

After reading the Fastnet and Sydney-Hoburt race, I felt this book was a little too detailed and lathargic in the beginning. But as the story progressed, you saw the method to the author's madness. He was only setting the stage for what was about to come in the Southern Ocean. I learned a great deal about the history and the importance of the Vendee Globe to people all over the world. Reading about the trials of just preparing and getting the funding to participate in the Vendee Globe, can be a lifetime acheivement for some of these sailors. With every page you turn, the book picks up more and more steam; until you don't want to turn out the lights and go to bed. I will forever be a follower of the Vendee Globe after reading this book. It was one of the most informative sailing books I have ever read. A real tribute to those sailors who risk their lives in the Southern Ocean and continue to beat the odds!

Godforsaken Sea (Racing the World' s Most Dangerous Waters)

Average customer rating:

Godforsaken Sea (Racing the World' s Most Dangerous Waters)

Manufacturer: Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000GBIOFQ

Product Description

The author explores the edge between seeking and avoiding, the boundary between adventure and nightmare, the difference between excitement and fear...He goes to the heart of the competitors, those who place themselves where no one else would dream of, could deram of."

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Godforsaken Sea : Racing the World's Most Dangerous Waters
Lundy. Derek
Manufacturer: Algonquin Chapel Hill 1999
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000R52NKS

Average customer rating:

Godforsaken Sea: Racing the World's Most Dangerous Waters
Derek Lundy
Manufacturer: Algonquin Books Of Chapel Hill
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000JEZAV6

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Godforsaken Sea : Racing the World's Most Dangerous Waters
Derek Lundy
Manufacturer: Seal Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000RDOIBC

Average customer rating:

Godforsaken Sea: Racing the World's Most Dangerous Waters
Derek Lundy
Manufacturer: Knopf Canada
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000PUKOM4

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