America's Victory: The Heroic Story of a Team of Ordinary Americans-- And How They Won the Greatest Yacht Race Ever

A well written book, a great story of international scope, with characters out of a fairytale in some instances, and others solidly grounded in the here and now, practical nuts and bolts, of boat building in those days. And a David and Goliath story in both directions. A great read for anyone who loves wooden boats, or the oldest sporting challenge cup in the world.

On August 22, 1851, the yacht America sailed across the finish line of England's Royal Yacht Squadron 53-mile regatta around the Isle of Wight. And as they say, "the rest is history." The seemingly impossible race to win was one that captured America's and the worlds attention. David Shaw's places you in the board room of the New York Yacht Club, in the ship yard of designer George Steer, and in the cockpit with Capt. Richard Brown and First Mate Nelson Comstock. As America leaves New York on a foggy June 21, 1851 morning, you are riveted to keep turning the pages until she arrives safely in Le Havre, France. Two items which I found most intriguing was the research Shaw presented that questions the time between America and the second place Aurora. Shaw argues that the time should be eight minutes and not the 21 or 24 minutes used by contemporary sources. "I [Shaw] took my facts from The Times of London, which historians credit as the most accurate account of the race. The Times reported that Aurora finished eight minutes after America." Shaw also argues the name of the trophy, One Hundred Guinea Cup, should be more appropriately the One Hundred Sovereign Cup. One hundred pounds was the typical value of cups given to winners at the time, not one hundred guineas. The British have always called it the One Hundred Sovereign Cup and it is a mystery why the other name has stuck. The extensive research Shaw did is profound. There are several appendixes, a glossary of nautical terms (for those of us who are confused by jibe and tack), and a bibliography of books, periodicals, and web sources, all of which will continue to wet anyones appetite for more. I highly recommend David Shaw's book.

Shaw has done it again! David captures the personalities of the men who designed, built and raced America. This isn't a story about the most famous Yacht race the United States ever participated in, it's a story about the human spirit, and nerves men had years ago to cross oceans and take on all comers. you think the race started in England, think again. As pilot captains these men knew how to race to earn a living; it was their way of life. Read no more of this review. Purchase the book and read a fascinating account of what became the greates sailing race of all time. You'll be surprised where America ultimately met her fate.