To The Edge Of The World

Tilar J. Mazzeo

Elliot & Thompson

£20.00

The subtitle to this book promises ‘A Perilous Storm, a Mutinous Crew and the Woman Who Defied Them All’. It’s the story of Mary Ann Patten the young American wife who took command of the 216’ extreme clipper ship Neptune’s Car, won over the crew, rounded Cape Horn in a violent storm and reached San Franscico with a valuable cargo of tea and her husband on the point of death. All while pregnant.

Author Tilar J. Mazzeo adds an impressive amount of original research – including rediscovering her own sailing skills. Her style is designed to grip and it succeeds. It’s probably aimed at the same market as The Wager but personally I enjoyed it more.