Over the Top is the story of an epic voyage and adventure by the man who
spent two and a half years circumnavigating the globe in his boat, the
Barrabas.

In May 2008, Adrian Flanagan made history when he completed the first ever single-handed 'vertical' circumnavigation of the world.

In 1975, when Adrian Flanagan was 15, he read Sir Francis Chichester's account of his record-breaking circumnavigation and a dream began to form.

30 years later, on October 28, 2005, Mr Flanagan set sail from England on his quest to voyage vertically around the earth by the most
difficult route imaginable, via Cape Horn and the icebound waters of the Russian Arctic.

The challenges would test the limits of his endurance. Only a handful of solo sailors had ever rounded Cape Horn against the prevailing winds.

The Russian government had never allowed a singlehanded yachtsman to enter their territorial waters.

Mr Flanagan mortgaged his house and bought Barrabas, a unique stainless steel boat.
With limited funds, he persuaded his ex-wife, Louise to manage the expedition.

On only the fifth day of the expedition, Adrian faced death when a rogue wave swept him from the deck.

He was chased by pirates off Brazil, dislocated both wrists and, at Cape Horn, Barrabas capsized in a hurricane.

After 30,825 miles, Mr Flanagan arrived home on May 21, 2008 escorted by
warships of the Royal Navy.

Published in hardback by Weidenfeld & Nicolson, the book will be available from November 6, 2008, at £16.99