Books : America's Victory: The Heroic Story of a Team of Ordinary Americans-- and How They Won the Greatest Yacht Race Ever
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Type of bind: Hardcover
Format: Bargain Price
Quantity: 1
Page Count: 288
Printing Date: January 06, 2003
Sale Popularity Level: 1453394
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The Heroic Story of a Team of Ordinary Americans -- and How They Won the Greatest Yacht Race Ever
Set against the backdrop of the very first world's fair in London, America's Victory takes readers into a world rich in adventure and history -- an unforgettable story of skill, daring, and honor at the heart of our national identity.
The America's Cup is the oldest international trophy in competitive sports, yet few know the inspirational story of the dedicated seamen behind the original historic race. The story begins in 1850 with a terrible deal struck between the New York Yacht Club and a brilliant young boat designer: A boat would have to be built that would be the fastest in the world, and the designer would not be paid his fee unless the yacht beat all comers at The Great Exhibition in England. With a revolutionary design and striking beauty, yacht America set sail the following year from New York on what most experts nevertheless thought was an impossible mission. It had already cost over half a million dollars in today's currency. Now, America would have to beat fourteen of the best yachts the world's greatest maritime nation could bring to the line. It was a race Britain thought it couldn't lose.
Yet America's small, unlikely team -- including Captain Brown, a Sandy Hook Pilot; very first mate Nelson Comstock, whose family were early settlers of New London in Connecticut; and the brilliant designer George Steers -- achieved the almost un-thinkable. These humble, hard-working men faced the might and arrogance not only of their British competitors, but also their own backers, such as millionaire John Cox Stevens of the New York Yacht Club, who wagered they would win, but harassed and belittled them throughout the campaign.
In the course of his research, David Shaw found letters and notes recounting the experience of the crew that provide a vivid historical realism for his compelling narrative. No one has previously told the story of the race from the perspective of the men who designed and sailed the plucky boat America. Shaw places readers on board as the lone American yacht in the field crosses the finish line first, while Queen Victoria and Prince Albert look on amid cheering crowds.
This is an account of an amazing feat accomplished long ago at the turning point in the growth of a young nation's confidence, but it is also the tale of a victory of the American spirit that bravely lives on today.
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Rated by buyers 
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On August 22, 1851, the yacht America sailed across the finish line of England's Royal Yacht Squadron 53-mile regatta around the Isle of Wight. And as they say, "the rest is history." The seemingly impossible race to win was one that captured America's and the worlds attention. David Shaw's places you in the board room of the New York Yacht Club, in the ship yard of designer George Steer, and in the cockpit with Capt. Richard Brown and First Mate Nelson Comstock. As America leaves New York on a foggy June 21, 1851 morning, you are riveted to keep turning the pages until she arrives safely in Le Havre, France.
Two items which I found most intriguing was the research Shaw presented that questions the time between America and the second place Aurora. Shaw argues that the time should be eight minutes and not the 21 or 24 minutes used by contemporary sources.
"I [Shaw] took my facts from The Times of London, which historians credit as the most accurate account of the race. The Times reported that Aurora finished eight minutes after America."
Shaw also argues the name of the trophy, One Hundred Guinea Cup, should be more appropriately the One Hundred Sovereign Cup. One hundred pounds was the typical value of cups given to winners at the time, not one hundred guineas. The British have always called it the One Hundred Sovereign Cup and it is a mystery why the other name has stuck.
The extensive research Shaw did is profound. There are several appendixes, a glossary of nautical terms (for those of us who are confused by jibe and tack), and a bibliography of books, periodicals, and web sources, all of which will continue to wet anyones appetite for more. I highly recommend David Shaw's book.
Rated by buyers 
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Shaw has done it again! David captures the personalities of the men who designed, built and raced America. This isn't a story about the most famous Yacht race the United States ever participated in, it's a story about the human spirit, and nerves men had years ago to cross oceans and take on all comers. you think the race started in England, think again. As pilot captains these men knew how to race to earn a living; it was their way of life. Read no more of this review. Purchase the book and read a fascinating account of what became the greates sailing race of all time. You'll be surprised where America ultimately met her fate.
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