Never Leave a Man Behind

Mick Dawson

Little Brown

£14.99

Two former Royal Marines rowing the Pacific with only a single pair of oars. One of them is registered blind, has run out essential medication and suffered a compression fracture in his back. Hurricane ‘Lane’ is imminent. They are already exhausted – should they ask for rescue? Mick Dawson, leader of the expedition, offers some eye-opening (sorry!) insights into the experience of his companion, ‘Sparky’ Sparkes, blind in an open boat at sea. Dawson also gains deeper understanding of the effects of PTSD as he and RM veteran Steve Garnham kayak together round East Falkland in an effort to lay the ghosts of war. Written in a ‘bootneck’ style this is a worthwhile and very readable book about courage, endurance and friendship.