Sailing into purgatory

By Paul Rodgers, published by Olympia at £8.99

The author is a former Mirror journalist turned yachtsman who sailed solo and non-stop around the world in Spirit of Pentax in 1981-2.

Purgatory refers to the stitch-up that saw him sentenced to 16 years for involvement in drug smuggling in 2001. It’s dealt with in the ninepage epilogue, but the other 268 pages present an engaging account of his final voyage after decades of professional sailing.

His writing sparkles and meanders and is peppered with literary references and memories of somamazing voyages. There’s even a love interest. Absolutely captivating. Do not judge this book by its appalling cover. Review by Chris Beeson