Outrageous Grace

'If you fall far enough, its hard to know when you hit bottom. The air gets sucked out of you on the way down.'This is an inspirational story of a family man struck down with heartfailure in his prime - just as he and his wife (and children) haddecided to sail a circuit of the Atlantic for a year. Devastated thathis plans are thwarted he endures seven operations in eight months asprocedure after procedure fails, with heart attacks in between.Finally, he has to endure open heart surgery - and immediately makesplans for his 'trip'.This is the story of an incredibly determined sailor totally unwillingto give up his dream in the face of massive odds. Narrated withpresent-tense immediacy, this is John's account of drowning in heartdisease, fighting back to the surface and sailing on. It begins withhim flat on his back in a local health club, gasping for air. It ends31 months and 4000 miles later when he and his family sail their boatinto Schull Harbour, Ireland.Funny, tragic, uplifting, humorous - it will 'speak' not only to timidsailors, wondering if they are brave enough to take that big step(whatever 'big' is in their own terms) but also to anyone facingimmense difficulties, setbacks and even life-threatening danger intheir non-sailing lives. It is an inspirational story with a messagefor everyone.Yachting Monthly will publish an extract from the book and do an offthe page offer on the book. And the author is prepared to do talks inthe UK (he's currently considering an invite to speak at the RGS andthe Sailor's Society in 2009). He self-published in the USA where thebook was a finalist in the Best Book Award by USA Book News. Mostrecently it was awarded an Indie Award as Best New Non-Fiction Book ofthe Year.