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Dare The Wind: The Record-Breaking Voyage of Eleanor Prentiss and the Flying Cloud

Dare The Wind: The Record-Breaking Voyage of Eleanor Prentiss and the Flying Cloud

Reviewed by: Patricia Temple - Long Island Community Library, Long Island, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: March 9, 2015

Review

Eleanor Prentiss grew up in a seaport Massachusetts town in the mid 1800's with a sea captain father who taught her about ships, navigation and a love of sailing. She married a sea captain who shared her love of adventure and recognized her ability as a navigator. As a team, they raced the clipper ship, Flying Cloud, from NYC harbor around Cape Horn to San Francisco to deliver miners and supplies to the Gold Rush. The excitement, setbacks and challenges of the voyage are presented with just the right amount of detail in the text to give readers an understanding of the high stakes and scope of their accomplishment. Outlined watercolor illustrations evoke the period and atmosphere of this exciting, record breaking trip. The endpapers depict a compass and map of the Flying Cloud voyage, a necessary and appreciated addition. A brief glossary and extensive author's note add interesting background and detail to Ellen Prentiss story.

Overall Book Score: excellent