"The Best Way Out" recounts a stirring tale of the misfortunes and triumphs of a young English/Argentine sailor from Devon in his quest to sail around Cape Horn. William Spyre defies the odds as he survives the '79 Fastnet Race debacle, then arrest by the Argentine Junta as an English spy. Unable to vanquish William, his sadistic Argentine Navy tormentor forces him into the Argentine Army for the invasion of the Falkland Islands as an interpreter. William survives combat, is rescued by a British Soldier, but, is returned to Argentina as a POW. He reunites with his extended family in Buenos Aires and resumes his voyage to Cape Horn. He is wrecked in Patagonia, rescued by the Argentine/Welch, and is nursed back to health. He has a torrid, illicit love affair with his Welsh host's daughter, forcing the couple to flee for their lives across Patagonia. In their flight they are relentlessly pursued by William's Argentine nemesis, Lt Cmdr. Alfredo Astes. William poses a major threat to Astes' tenuous hold on power.
William and his love, Angharad take refuge in Santiago, Chile, where Astes hatches an unsuccessful plot to kill William. This failed attempt unseats Astes from power, but he remains a threat. Angharad encourages to complete his Cape Horn quest, so he takes a tenuous step, travels to Ushuaia, hires a veteran skipper and boat and finally conquers the Horn in winter.
In Ushuaia, he inadvertently meets his antagonist Astes and a confrontation ensues, but you must read the book to find out what happens.
The incredible natural beauty and majesty of Chile and Argentina form the backdrop and inspiration for this account of intrigue, betrayal, passion and the ultimate triumph of the human spirit.
