{"product_id":"9781472941022","title":"Gordon Bennett and the First Yacht Race Across the Atlantic","description":"\u003cstrong\u003eGordon Bennett and the First Yacht Race Across the Atlantic\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor(s): Sam Jefferson\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe 1866 transatlantic yacht race was a match that saw three yachts battle their way across the Atlantic in the dead of winter in pursuit of a $90,000 prize. Six men died in the brutal and close-fought contest, and the event changed the perception of yachting from a slightly effete gentlemen's pursuit into something altogether more rugged and adventurous. The race also symbolized the beginning of America's 'gilded age', with its associated obscene wealth and largesse (the $90,000 prize put up by the three contestants is about $15 million in today's money), as well as the thawing of relations between the US and UK. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e  The narrative focuses on the victorious yacht \u003ci\u003eHenrietta \u003c\/i\u003eand her owner James Gordon Bennett. Bennett was the son of the multimillionaire proprietor of the \u003ci\u003eNew York Herald\u003c\/i\u003e, and a notorious playboy. His infamous stunts included driving his carriage through the streets of New York naked, tipping a railway porter $30,000, and turning up at his own engagement party blind drunk and mistaking the fire for a urinal, which led to the coining of the phrase 'Gordon Bennett!'. However, Bennett was also a serious yachtsman and had served with distinction during the civil war aboard \u003ci\u003eHenrietta\u003c\/i\u003e, and he was the only owner to be aboard his own boat during the race. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e  Other characters include Bennett's captain Samuel Samuels (legendary clipper skipper, ex-convict and occasional vaudeville actor), financier Leonard Jerome, aboard \u003ci\u003eHenrietta \u003c\/i\u003eas race invigilator (he also happened to be grandfather to Winston Churchill) and Stephen Fisk, a journalist so desperate to cover the race that he evaded a summons to appear as a witness in court and instead smuggled himself aboard \u003ci\u003eHenrietta \u003c\/i\u003ein a crate of champagne.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e  Using the framework of the race to discuss the various historical themes, there's ample drama, and the diverse and eccentric range of characters ensure that this is a book laced with plenty of human interest, scandal and adventure.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eReview(s):\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"The story is engaging told by distinguished journalist and maritime historian, Sam Jefferson.\" - \u003ci\u003eGentleman's Journal\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Sam Jefferson's story is written with style, colour and wit. A cracking yarn.\" -\u003ci\u003e Boat International\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Entertaining\" - \u003ci\u003eDaily Mail\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"a jaunty and surprise-packed retelling of a wonderful story, which leaves readers with an abundance of good yarns to recount on their next night watch\" - \u003ci\u003eTimes Literary Supplement\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"entertaining tale of yachting history and sybaritic excess\" - \u003ci\u003eGuardian\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eISBN:  9781472941022\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e ","brand":"Adlard Coles","offers":[{"title":"Paperback \/ softback","offer_id":40656580378830,"sku":"9781472941022","price":17.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0600\/7029\/7806\/products\/getimage_dfb5638c-321e-430c-8d2d-53a1515a9149.jpg?v=1639450829","url":"https:\/\/pickwickbookshop.com\/products\/9781472941022","provider":"Pickwick Bookshop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}