The Maintenance Race cover art

The Maintenance Race

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The Maintenance Race

By: Stewart Brand
Narrated by: Richard Seyd
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About this listen

In 1968, nine competitors set out in a race that had never before been attempted: to sail around the world, alone, without stopping.

The route took them through the most dangerous waters on Earth. Seeking help was forbidden, and psychologists speculated that the 10 months alone at sea could drive the sailors mad. The winner was promised money and attention, but everyone knew that the real prize was to become a legend. What no one predicted was how.

Three of the racers did indeed become legendary: the one who won, the one who didn’t bother to win, and the one who cheated.

In this Audible Original, Stewart Brand (the Whole Earth Catalog, How Buildings Learn, The Clock of the Long Now) tells these men’s story, and lays out a new understanding of how and why each of them met their fate. His claim is that the core of the race came down to how each sailor approached the question of maintenance. And he explains how shifting our own understanding of maintenance may help us address the problems we face, from daily chores to issues that threaten our very existence.

Cover Art by Gordon Frickers

©2021 Stewart Brand (P)2021 Audible Originals, LLC. Action & Adventure Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Suspense Thriller & Suspense

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All stars
Most relevant  
I've read both Moitessier’s The Long Way and The Strange Last Voyage of Donald Crowhurst, and this is a lovely, fascinating, alternative take of a legendary race which is apparently part of a yet to be written longer book. can't wait!

lovely. can't wait for the full book!

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Story is interesting, really well executed, sounds make you feel like you are at sea as well.

beautiful

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I'm familiar with this tale - particularly of Donald Crowhurst's. This new slant however breathed fresh air in to the stories of the three main protagonists and moves along at a cracking pace whilst never overwhelming non-sailors with impenetrable jargon; quite a feat when the common thread is yacht maintenance. Hats off to the narrator too, whose even tones counterpoint the very real drama beautifully.

Courage Comes In Many Forms

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if your a sailor, you should give this a book a read.
we are all in there to some degree.

sailor's should.

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A nice taster of ocean racing in the 60’s. Short and sweet story telling.

Maintenance race a snippet

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This was such an I interesting listen. I've immediately searched more information and interview recordings. How Robin Knox Johnstone deals with challenges and problems is an inspiration for life.

So Fascinating

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Well read and insightful. Careful as will make you want to know much much more!

Excellent summary and insight

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Good story telling. I only wish for it to be a longer story telling.

Good story telling.

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short but sweet. basically tells the story of the golden globe race but entirely related to maintenance

short but sweet

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Story: I liked the use of these true stories as parables… and there are other ways of interpreting the ‘moral of the story’ I think.
The handling of the shooting of the wild animal in its own territory was awkward and betrayed the authors age perhaps.
The author says this is the first chapter and I look forward to the rest! I hope it includes some stories about women.

Performance: Very good, clear voice. Knocked a star off because there were some bits where the speaker sped up and talked slightly louder- mostly this was to indicate he was speaking another’s voice, but one section (2.21-2.44) seemed not to be. Maybe that tiny section could be redone and edited in… if you like.

Lessons on the importance of maintenance

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