Knockdown: A True Story of Sailors and the Sea

This was one of the most vivid, compelling reads I have had in some time. Dugard is a master of description. Knowing virtually nothing of blue ocean yacht racing, I was transported into a world of driven men and the tragedy they willingly face. A must read.

This book has an interesting tale behind it. Although I do not know as much as the previous reviewers who obviously are pretty experienced reviewers for action books like this ,I thought this was a good book. I was on a trip to Florida. Having finished all the books I had packed on the way their, I was bored, because reading is one of my only occupations. My Dad was reading this book at the time, and that day I grabbed it. Thinking I should only read the inside flap cover, I found myself pretty far at the end of the hour. Soon I found myself at the end of the book about this book. If a fourth grader can understand this, and enjoy it, I would hope an adult could to. Happy Reading :-)

I found that I could not put this book down. Like the recent adventure book, "Into Thin Air," I was riveted to my seat to find out how everything works out in the end for the boats and their sailors. Even though I am not a sailor, I found that Dugard explained the subject matter of the inner workings of boats, their crews and races, without being tedious or boring so that even a lay person could understand it. It was obvious to me that Dugard had done extensive research on blue water adventure. I've bought this book for both my sailing and non-sailing adventure friends. Knockdown makes me want to go out and buy his other adventure book Surviving the Toughest Race on earth. A MUST NOT MISS.

The best book I've read all year. I was on the edge of my seat, feeling the sea spray on my face, getting queasy with the sailors -- Dugard takes you right there! An incredible, tragic journey and an adventure of a lifetime. I recommend this book highly

As a six-time competitor in the Sydney to Hobart (including the 1998 disaster), I've followed the recent wave of books about the event closely. Having read them all, this is the best. From what I saw, and from what others told me about their experiences, I found the author's account accurate and honest. One for the ages.