Relying on the saint's medieval text, Severin painstakingly researches and builds a boat identical to the small leather curragh that carried Brendan on his epic voyage. He finds a centuries-old, family-run tannery where he buys the ox hides; he undertakes an exhaustive search for skilled saddlemakers (the only people who would know how to stitch the inch-think hides together); he locates one of the last pieces of Irish-grown timber tall enough and strong enough to make the mainsail. But his courage and resourcefulness is truly tested on the open seas, including one heart-pounding episode when he repairs a dangerous tear in the leather hull by hanging over the side -- his head frequently submerged under the freezing waves -- to restitch the leather with an awl and thread.

A perfect blend of high adventure and historical relevance which makes for a fantastic read.