A World of My Own: The First Ever Non-stop Solo Round the World Voyage

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and it has stood the test of time well. What I find staggering is the complete lack of drama that Knox Johnson completed this amazing feat. Endless gales, knock-downs, running aground, equipment failures, 300+ days alone.... nothing seems to phase him. When things get really dodgy and the rest of us would be gibbering wrecks, all he does is go and "..check the level of the brandy bottle". The sea is his element and he seems completely at home there. His skill and resourcefulness in keeping his equipment going is also staggering. The man himself seems as solid and well-found as his boat - no depression, no fear, no loneliness. The bloke must be crafted from solid teak. Anyway it is a great read.

Wonderful book delivered on time

Slightly dated but fascinating account of Knox-Johnston’s triumphant solo voyage around the world. Some of his diary entries were very funny, I particularly enjoyed the bit about the many concoctions he’d produce using corn or ‘bully beef’ as he referred to, plus the copious quantity of ale and cigs he consumed. The boat must have smelled like a sewage treatment plant within days.

Robin Knox-Johnston has to have been half crazy to take on this trip. The reading of it scared the pants off me, and I just kept wishing the trip (not the book) would end with his safe return to the UK. I don't honestly think this trip could be done nowadays, it's just too hard, the word legend is used far too much these days for all kinds of muppets, but RKJ deserves the title and then some. It is a great read.

I read this book over fifty years ago and remember being transported in my mind to a world of adventure. It details the successful solo non stop circumnavigation by Knox-Johnston. You become engrossed in the challenges faced including storm damage, leaking hull, engine failure, water contamination, radio repairs and the list goes on. He managed to rise to each challenge and by hook and by crook overcome them all. There must have been some element of luck (good and bad) but overall you get the impression of a very determined, practical, tough and resourceful sailor. It was written in a different time with different attitudes but by bearing that in mind you will realise this was an amazing achievement and hopefully find the book inspiring even if you never intend to leave dry land!

Just enthralling. This 29 year old's mix of professionalism, training, audacity, courage, resilience is simply inspiring. All of this seemingly applied with a level head, absent of drama and self pity.This is the tale of an English Gentlemans' self set task of ensuring his nation was not going to lose the last great sailing first to a frenchman. Under prepared and ill equipped Robin Knox-Johnson was the only man to finish the Golden Globe race and a reading of this book will give you an understanding of just how unlikely would have been for perhaps any other.A man professionally assessed as 'Disturbingly Normal' is an example to us all. What is not told here is his modest generosity to other contestants and their families following the race. No wonder Robin Knox Johnson is one of the most respected men in sailing today.

This is is Knox-Johnston's tale of his 'first ever non-stop solo round the world voyage', without GPS, and most of it without a working engine or self-steering system, in 1968-69. So I am late to the party, but some lines of the account still veritably leap from the page -- on diving to fix a leak: "I dressed myself in blue shirt and jeans to hide the whiteness of my body, something that sharks... always associate with refuse..." (p. 42); "I had no solder. In the end I broke three of my navigation light bulbs and melted down the scraps of solder from the terminals" (p. 130); "If I had had appendicitis and had made a contact it would have meant great inconvenience to any shipping which diverted to pick me up" (p. 194). But there is also quite a lot of: "I left the large flying jib, the Big Fellow, set as long as I dared, in fact longer than I should, as it took me well over half an hour to get it in when I eventually decided the wind had risen high enough. It's not an easy sail to take in at the best of times..." (p. 85). All quite motivational, and terribly English, though of most fascination to those with knowledge of the craft.

A master of understatement. Knox-Johnston's account of his solo circumnavigation conveys the rigour and the relentless nature of ocean sailing, without self pity and with humour and gentle self-deprecation. The technicalities are occasionally bamboozling but the narrative carries you along, living the highs and lows of this epic voyage with him. Having recently completed two Atlantic crossings in the Clipper Round the World Race that Knox-Johnston established, I have some insight into the travails and the joys of such an endeavour, although I only experienced a fraction of the hardships he endured. It's an easy read and of interest to anyone who sails and who loves adventure. More photos and some diagrams would have aided comprehension even for those familiar with boats. But that is a minor gripe with what is a rollicking read.

This is a story for Amy sailor or wanna be sailor. Well written, entertaining and educational. Highly recommended. Fair winds and following seas.

excellente lecture, je l'ai traduis en français pour ceux qui sont intéressésgreat read, I translated it into French... for those interested.

Thanks RKJ for sharing your amazing voyage with us. I often felt as if I was on board of Suhaili.

Whenever he talks about the boat he always uses “us”. Suhaili and him were always a team in his mind. Even when things were tough, he tried not to blame it on the boat. Such a great personality!He also has a great attitude towards the craft. He shows a lot of respect to the seamanship. There are a lot of meta-lessons in this book, highly recommended.

Un de mes livres préférés, écrit avec humour et tendresse par un homme extraordinaire. Parfois drôle, toujours intéressant, j’offre régulièrement de livre comme cadeau