It's clear from reading this book that Ellen MacArthur is one of those unique people
who pours her heart and soul into everything she does. From the Vendee Globe yacht race that propelled her to international recognition at the age of 24, through her subsequent attempts at the West-East transatlantic crossing, dismasting and capsize, to her securing of the world record for a solo circumnavigation of the world, Ellen MacArthur does nothing by halves. In this book, a fascinating mixture of autobiography and travel book, Ellen takes you with her around the world, describing the hardships and triumphs, the lows and the highs of her amazing career. She talks about her struggle to come to terms with media attention, her friendships with some of the world's greats (among whom she is to be numbered) and her concerns for the environment. There is no doubt, after reading this intense account of her life and her sporting achievements that MacArthur was destined for greatness. Now that she has retired from professional yachting the journey goes on in a different way. Her commitment to charity work and to environmental projects receives exactly the same treatment as her determination to win glory alone on the world's oceans. For anyone seeking to know how to really take on the world and win, this young woman's story is deeply inspirational - and all the more incredible for one so young.