Berserk in the Antarctic. David Mercy

This is an excellent book for those that enjoy realistic adventure stories. It's very hard to put this book down once you start reading it. You will be both impressed and dumbfounded by the author's bravery and disregard for the dangers he faced. All in all a very compelling tale of man vs. the elements of nature. Highly recommended

Its a mad, mad, mad, mad adventure. What a vicarious thrill. I'm still cold!

What a great story, all the more so because it is true! I could hardly put this book down and I enjoyed every minute reading it. I highly recommend this book.

I really liked this book and had a hard time putting it down. I had to though, time and time again to consult my own Antarctic maps so I could follow their passage through the Drake and beyond. I was offended that they didn't think enough of their readers abilities to include more detailed maps on the end papers. The Drake passage isn't even labled, nor Ushuia or Puerto Williams. In fact, only two of the spots that were mentioned in the book are on the map. You can see that this really irritated me. The writing is good and the descriptions of the storms and Antarctic peninsula are breath taking. I have recommened this to a variety of sailors and fishermen. Some how though, the last line soured me.

Awesome book and awesome story of courage, the desire for adventure while also thinking of the "normal life" back home, how friendship can be found (or never really found (like with Manuel) and also complete craziness ("but not stupidity"). David Mercy writes much like the reader is there. The closest comparison I have read to this book would be "Into Thin Air". The major difference of course is Jon Krakauer had some experience climbing mountains, and David Mercy had no sailing experience and that in itself is incredible. David went from shore to manning the wheel in a force-12 storm in the Drake Passage. I wonder how many people can claim their first experience sailing is crossing the Drake Passage. When I finished this book I thought of how everything that happened to the crew seemed to time itself perfectly to the final end. I especially have to respect David Mercy for not abandoning Jarle when he could have like Manuel did. Had he done so there would likely never have been this incredible story and maybe no good ending that the world would know of. When David had the opportunity to abandon Jarle and stay in the warmth and safety of the cruise ship I thought of the film "The Red Tent"-when Umberto Nobile left on a rescue plane ahead of all the other survivors during the failed 1928 airship expedition to the North Pole and how he had to live with his decision in later years. My only complaint was there were no photographs (aside from the cover sleeve). They have a site on the internet (the Wild Vikings), but it doesn't tell much of the story, but it appears they have been on another expedition recently. I can't stop reading about small sailboats and thinking of the places I could go since I finished this book.