Daring the Sea

David W. Shaw captures the taste of salt in this well written and researched book. It is a page turner not only because of the subject matter but the author obviously knows what the sea is capable of with first hand knowledge. The reader can taste the salt and viscerally feel the ordeal these men went through. It is sad that these men were so soon forgotten and wonderful that Shaw has brought this story back to life.

This book has a sad side to it: the men who first rowed across the Atlantic expected to become rich and famous. It is too bad that these incredible men could not have simply gloried in their amazing feat. There should have been overwhelming happiness for them to have accomplished so much. I enjoyed reading this book for two main reasons. One, the author sets a tone of excitement which keeps the reader's adrenaline flowing. Two, I stand in awe of these men of such endurance and resourcefulness.

Two men ROWING across the Atlantic Ocean. Need I write more? Motivated by the desire to be something more than common immigrant fishermen living in New Jersey. They fought the sea and their bodies to achieve a goal that most can only dream about. You will be amazed that you have never heard their names before. Better late than never!!!

One of the better oceanic adventures I've read in a while. Very descriptive writing. One book that you kind of fall into and forget you're reading at all-- you are there with them in that boat. Much better than The Perfect Storm, which I liked. More exciting than Kon Tiki, although that was good, too. It was very close to Shackleton's adventures in the Arctic by Lansing which is my favorite adventure.

It's hard to believe that this is a true story and even harder to understand why this story (and this book) are such well kept secrets. David Shaw has done an excellent job of telling not just the incredible story of their row across the Atlantic, but he effectively tells us the life stories of the 2 subjects while skillfully weaving in what American life at the turn of the century was all about. Great story, great book, easy read, about two men who lived incredibly difficult lives...this book puts things in perspective.