This is the story of two men who followed their dream of crossing an ocean and discovered the adventure of a lifetime.

Former army officer, mountaineer and film stuntsman Mike Noel-Smith couldn't resist when his friend Rob Abernethy called him up one day and suggested the ultimate challenge becoming the first Britons to row the Indian Ocean.

The pair took advice from expert seamen, studied weather charts, trained for months, and planned the trip down to the last detail. But like many before them, they discovered that the sea is a dangerous and ungovernable mistress, capable of turning from calm to lethal rage.

This is a pacey, often funny, and ultimately touching tale of courage, fear, love and bloody mindedness in the face of the unconquerable power of the ocean.

Adventurous readers will wish they'd been able to join Mike and Rob on their unforgettable trip, sharing every twist and turn, triumph and disaster.

The rest will be glad they stayed at home and enjoyed the book!