My feeling is that this novel is meant for readers interested in sailing more than anything else. The story was ok, but I was not invested in the characters.

This is a fascinating adventure story with an engrossing story line that transports the reader back to the early twentieth century's Progressive Era. This nautical adventure features two young brothers who find an opportunity to escape poverty with the New York Yacht Club. Their bond is tested by a love triangle, family obligations, and an accident. The brothers also find themselves caught up in intrigue as the dark undercurrents of the millionaire yachtsmen's lives begin to expose themselves.

Prevailing Wind is multifaceted, exploring the great divide between the working class and the ultrawealthy while engaging readers in the breathtaking excitement of the yacht racing world and the drama of two brothers seeking to make their way in the world. Dolby deftly captures a realistic picture of the period, drawing readers into a world that's both very different from and hauntingly similar to our own.

This book was a homage to the yacht racing history of the New York Yacht Club. You don’t need any sailing experience to enjoy this book. I got caught up in the thrill of the racing and could follow along enough to experience the tension and adrenaline. The story of two brothers and their dynamic was definitely secondary to the story of the sailing yachts and actual historical figures and races. I didn’t mind this though. I learnt about the America’s Cup and the fierce rivalry between America and Britain. The author interspersed factual events throughout to ground the book in an era. The Shirtwaster Factory Fire, the suffragettes and union strikes that were happening in the 1910s.
I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

I would actually give this book about 3.5 stars. The American Cup Race, and sailing in general is not an often covered subject for a novel. I enjoyed this unique storyline and appreciated that the author gave definitions of terms and explanations for those who are maybe not very familiar with sailing. I think this story had a lot of potential, but some parts of the story line could have been developed earlier. The romance portion wasn't really developed, nor the mystery and relationship between the wealthy Vanderbilt and the Maine fisherman. There was some development, but it just felt a little disjointed. It was an interesting time in history with the world on the brink of a world war, I think it would have been better to focus on one storyline than having multiple that didn't quite get followed through, or were abruptly stopped (such as the Hollywood actress part).

Real Rating: 3.5* of five

<B>The Publisher Says</B>: On the eve of WW1, amidst the turbulence of the Ludlow Massacre and the Triangle Shirt Factory fire, the young Haskell brothers Davey (16) and Jacob (21) dream of escaping the poverty of their lobsterman life in Deer Isle, Maine. Their sailing talents catch the eye of the powerful New York Yacht Club, with a chance for glory in the prestigious America's Cup race series.

However, the brothers' bond is tested as they both fall for Edith, a captivating Irish maid. Family loyalty is at stake, and now the pursuit of sporting fame threatens to drive them apart. Complicating matters further, someone must stay behind to care for their ailing parents. When a near-fatal accident leaves one brother hospitalized and consumed by revenge, a compassionate Latina nurse helps him heal, showing him a path beyond bitterness. Meanwhile, the millionaire yachtsmen harbor dark secrets. A glamorous concubine is hidden away on a luxury yacht, leading to blackmail and scandal.

As the bachelor heir to the Vanderbilt railroad fortune grapples with his future, preferring the freedom of the sea over his family's wealth, the Haskell brothers must navigate their own choices between love, family, and ambition. Can they overcome the trials that threaten to tear them apart, or will the winds of change leave them stranded in the past?

<B>I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA NETGALLEY. THANK YOU.

My Review</B>: Dolby, whose 1980s music I listened to frequently on and off the radio, decided to tell us a story that compels and entertains; what lies under that hood, like with his music, is clever and quiet social commentary.

When one wishes to comment unfavorably on the accumulation of wealth, one is well advised to create a story of talented underdogs succeeding. That's exactly what this story is. I'm not recapitulating the plot, go read the synopsis abpve, but I will say that every single beat is hit. The straight-people sex is there, though it was never so in-your-face as to cause me to put the book down.

The unsuccessful, in my opinion, facet of the tale is the brotherly rivalry. There's a solid motivation for it. The resolution of their feelings is handled in a way I myownself found facile and oddly dissonant, like a different story was going on that I had not noticed until it popped up at a weird time.

All that said, I'd've felt amply rewarded if I'd picked the book up solely based on the author's name recognition. He knows exactly what he's talking about. He has a clear vision for his plot. He created characters I never doubted were founded in the reality of human experience, not forged on the anvil of plot necessity. I do wish the key change in the brothers's rivalry at its resolution had not rung false in my own ear.

A read I'd recommend to anyone who likes historical novels about rich people and their milieu...from a different angle.

I struggled as I began this book. There were more obscenities than I like and the subject matter is quite different than what I usually read. However, I changed my opinion, I really enjoyed this book.! The story is in the yachting world. The time setting is the early 20th century. Men from a fishing village in Maine are being considered for positions for the America's Cup. It is mostly the story of Davey Haskell. He has quite the life! The author provides nautical terms at the end of each chapter that are helpful. I received an Advance Review copy and I am leaving a review voluntarily.

I have to own up and say that I've been a fan of Thomas Dolby since his Golden Age of Wireless days. Also I got an ARC to read, and I am grateful for that too.

I haven't read a book that's either centred around a sport or sporting event and prefer my books to have a little bit of in them. Having said that and the fact that there was so much detail about sailing included - to the point of needing footnotes for sailing novices like myself - this was a really enjoyable book. I didn't use all of the footnotes but didn't feel that I lost anything by doing so.

The story was entertaining and kept my interest throughout. For someone's first book, I am genuinely stunned at how good it was - again, just my opinion. I would have no hesitation in reading Thomas Dolby's future works and highly recommend this one.

Davey and Jacob Haskell are a pair of brothers who are lobster fisherman who work of Deer Isle, Maine where they are barely making a living for themselves and their parents, but they are not the only ones with many on the isle trying to make it. Their chance comes to get a little glory and make more money in a month then some will make in a whole year by being picked to be the crew on a boat to win the next America cups race. Deer Isle is no stranger to crewman who have been on winning boats and tasted victory one of them being Davey and Jacobs father. This is covering the time frame from late 1800's to the early 1900's. While this is a work of fiction you are introduced to many of the members of the New York Yacht Club who were members and money men for these races. These were railroad magnates and mining tycoons and other big money men the likes of the Rockefellers, Vanderbilts and Isaac Harris this is the time when there were many tragic labor events such as the Ludlow Massacre and Triangle shirt factory fire. If you have no knowledge of yacht racing such as myself, you may struggle with some of the story as I did also. There are definitions at the end of each chapter to explain sailing terms and phrases. While this is a minor detail the story is really good with a surprising twist at the very end. So, give this a read and see what you think. On a side note, if you were a teen in the 1980's you will recognize the author as being an 80's pop star.

Thomas Dolby
PREVAILING WIND

I found this a bit uneven, but there were parts I did like, and the jr. high students I taught would probably have liked it even more. Descriptions of racing under sail were complex and compelling, and repeating elements tied things together well. I find myself remembering scenes, hoping the best for some characters, and pondering ethics. This quote seemed apt:
“Rather fail with honor than succeed by fraud.” ~ Sophocles

I appreciate being given the chance to read it, and I chose it because I am a fan of his music. It makes me sad that I couldn't finish it, but it did not hold my interest, for reasons given below.

Clearly Dolby knows his subject matter, but I am not a sailor, and find that the technical terminology of sailing overrides the story. It's nice that he provides footnotes to define the terms, but I found it interrupted the flow of the story.

I'm sure there is an audience for this book (America's Cup Fans, sailing folks) but I am not part of either group.

Courtesy of Netgalley and The Book Whisperer, I received the ARC of Prevailing Wind by Thomas Dolby..This historical novel, starts in 1913, just prior to WWI, and focuses on the sailing yachts of America,'s Cup, the working class sailors with their skills and ingenuity and the millionaire owners, attempting to win races at any cost and loss of integrity. Brothers Davey and Jacob Haskell of Deer Isle are avid hometown sailors who meet Vanderbilt, involved in competitive yacht racing. The terminology and descriptions of sailboating is a bit daunting but the well researched and well written book captured my attention, as I held my breath during the races!

Jacob and Davey are two brothers who are staunch competitors. Jake is the older more worldly brother; Davey is the little brother lagging behind his big brother. Angst and jealousy are an integral part of their relationship.

The Americas’ Cup is a coveted race of sailboats with crafts from all over the world. This story is about the America’s Cup contest of 1913.

The best sailors come from some of the small fishing villages north of Penobscot Bay and Maine. Jacob and David are two sailors who started young and spent 14 plus hours per day tending lobster nets and other fishing equipment in the cold northern seas off the coast of New England. The wealthy racing boat owners hire them to man their boats in the race to ensure that their vessels finish first.

The competition is fierce. Who will take home the coveted million-dollar prize money and the title of best boat and crew in the world?

I found the action fast moving and the topic very informative. Anyone who has ever dreamt of sailing the seas or crewing an ocean-going vessel will enjoy this book. 5 stars – CE Williams

This is a good historical war novel and a very promising debut for this author. I liked teh story and the story of class, war and dreams and ambition. I love the characters as they really work well in this story and it all feels so real. The story includes some adventures, family and greed dramas and friendship.

A great read and one I think is a great start for this new author. Look forward to seeing what comes next.

Thank you NetGalley and Book Whisperer for giving me the opportunity to read adn review this book.

This is the story of the Haskell brothers, Jake and Davey. The Haskell family has been in Deer Isle forever and their Pa was once part of the America’s Cup winning yacht crew. When the brothers get a chance to work on one of the yachts scheduled to take part in the America’s Cup, both brothers try out for the crew. During the trials Davey has an accident which requires long months of hospitalization/rehabilitation and negates his ever returning to work on the sea. In the meantime, instead of taking care of his Mom and Pa, Jake takes off on a ship to Europe. This angers Davey and he begins to dislike his brother. After his recovery, Davey is offered an opportunity by Harold Vanderbilt to work at the NYYC library. While there he hears the story of cheating which took place during the race when Davey’s father was part of the crew. All of these facts, including Davey’s crush on a girl named Edith, come to a head when Davey and his brother Jake meet again. The Prevailing Wind by Thomas Dolby is a story of brotherly struggles and family love as well as a splendid view into the world of yachting and the America’s Cup. Enjoyable book.

Thomas Dolby’s debut novel is a lush and descriptive look at the class struggle in New York as WW1 looms near. Two young fisherman dream of escaping small town poverty and get the chance when their sailing prowess is noticed by the New York Yacht Club. The brothers are thrown into a world of greed, lust, family, ambition and money. Part mystery, part adventure, this novel is gripping and well-written. Intelligent and heart-felt, I recommend this read! #thomasdolby #prevailingwind

Two brothers want to improve their lot in life and both fall for the same woman, a maid on a schooner. One brother goes off on a cargo ship as a mate, and the other catches the eye of a tycoon who hires him and teaches him all about sailing.

An historical fiction set against the backdrop of the America's Cup sailing race just before WWI. This is an excellent story with a setting that is seldom seen. I enjoyed the story and the information on a sport I knew little about.

What an exciting look into the world of the New York Yacht Club and the maneuvering and politics it takes to be chosen to defend America's Cup. I was drawn into this story immediately by the lobstermen brothers who hope to escape their poverty by being chosen to crew a racing sailboat. It's 1913 and the NYYC hopes to start up the America's Cup races again. The details of sailing, the knowledge required, the reflexes necessary-all are fascinating! I loved this story!

Prevailing Wind by Thomas Dolby is a first for me. I have have never read about sailing before, or even been sailing. It was about events surrounding the cancelled America’s Cup at the beginning of World War I and about a boy from Maine. All the best sailors came from Maine. Davey was sixteen years old when the ship’s captain and owners came to Maine looking for sailors. His older brother was twenty-one and fancied himself a roue. During the audition, Davey was severely injured. They though he might lose his leg, but H Vanderbilt used his own boat to get him to a hospital and paid for his surgeries and his recuperation. He then suggested a job to him at the New York Yacht Club that was right up Davey’s alley and would allow his leg to continue healing: the club’s library. There he spent a lot of time reading, mostly about sailing, until the things he learned were second nature to him. Plenty more was left to happen to Davey before he returned to Maine.

A little heavy on sailing jargon for a neophyte like me, but well written and interesting. The characters were motivated by a love for sailing, mostly, but of course, like all stories there were bullies, and girls, and greed, and such. It was a thoroughly interesting read with excellent characters and a good story. I felt as if I were there. Thanks, Thomas Dolby, for taking me sailing.

I was invited to read Prevailing Wind By Book Whisperer. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #BookWhisperer #ThomasDobly #PrevailingWind

Thanks to Thomas and NetGalley for allowing me to read Prevailing Wind before the publication date.
I enjoyed this book which I would describe as an action/adventure story, set among the wealthy owners of the super racing yachts of the day as they select their crews and vie for their place in the America’s Cup.
It wove the story of 16 year old Davey and the history of the America’s Cup into an informative and interesting tale, part fiction, part fact.
The information about the history of the America’s Cup, the yacht design and the skills used by the crews was fascinating.
With no knowledge of yachts, it was really helpful that the author provided a glossary of terms.