Prevailing Wind

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!

Two brothers hope to get into America's Cup yacht racing, using their superb sailing skills to earn money for their ailing father's medicine. A gripping histfic tale set in 1913, with sibling rivalry, a love triangle, and the cruel reality of a highly competitive elite world.

It was 1913 on Deer Isle, Maine where Davey Haskell and his older brother Jacob were lobstermen. Over the years, their father had suffered several strokes and was now incapacitated. Since he couldn’t work anymore and his medicine was expensive, their mother relied on her boys for their finances. Unfortunately, for the last few days, they hadn’t been able to catch anything to sell, so it seemed providential when they spotted an expensive yacht moored at their small town’s wharf.

In the past, Deer Isle sailors had helped rich yacht owners win the America’s Cup. Now, Harold Vanderbilt and his friend had arrived to sign up men who could help them win again. With their knowledge of the sea Davey and Jake knew if they were chosen, their salary would provide the medicine their father needed. What they didn’t know was that revenge for a decades old secret would endanger their own lives and forever change their relationships with others.

I enjoyed reading about the history of the New York Yacht Club and its famously rich members, as well as the ins and outs of sailing. There were times when the author got too technical with yachting definitions, and reading his copious footnotes became tedious. A few chapters in, I decided to just go with my best guess on sailing terms. Once I did that, reading about the brother’s adventures became more fluid and enjoyable.

Recommended for Adults.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in return for an honest review.

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.

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