Sailing Cruising
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Sailing Alone Around the World (Penguin Classics)
by Joshua Slocum
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Read in January, 1982
recommends it for:
armchair sailors; lovers of vernacular history
In 1895 Joshua Slocum, forced from the sea when square riggers finally lost their place permanently to steamships, rebuilt a small oyster smack and began to sail it around the world. Radio was in its infancy and the world was not quite completely at war yet. He left Boston and tried to sail around Cape Horn three times. Failing this, he went the other way, completely around the world.
Along the way he was greeted as a hero, feted by yacht clubs and navies, chased by pirates, buffeted by ty...more
Along the way he was greeted as a hero, feted by yacht clubs and navies, chased by pirates, buffeted by ty...more
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Read in June, 2004
recommends it for:
sailors
This used to be required reading for Massachusetts high school students. Joshua Slocum was the first to sail solo around the world. Still crazy to this day. The story was great in detail and local interest for the places it dealt with. I love Slocum's writing at points, but like Moby Dick, at other times I feel I'm just pushing through to get to the good parts again. His historical detail and places he visits is not only a good story worth reading, but if you think about it for a moment, the tim...more
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This is a true story. The first time that a man sailed fully around the world all by himself. This is in itself makes the story intriguing. So much so that the introduction and ideas behind the story are better than the story itself which consists mainly of a description of the vessel and sailing in general. While Sloccum is a wonderful writer with a good sense of humor, the book is much too technical (especially for its short length) and does not address the issues you'd expect him to. Sti...more
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bookshelves:
100-books-2008,
allfred,
non-fiction,
ships
recommends it for: armchair sailors
Read in February, 2008
recommended to SCIENCE FICTION SQRL by:
Scotty recommends it for: armchair sailors
This entertaining book brings the character of Joshua Slocum very much to life as he sails around the world, single-handed, in the sloop (later yawl-rigged) Spray.
Slocum is a character--no doubt about that--and his sloop's one, too. She does the sailing while he lounges below with a book.
This book is joyous, full of the love of life and of the sea. Still, towards the end, it's possible to see that Slocum has had enough of sailing, and is anxious to be home.
Christmas present (2007)....more
Slocum is a character--no doubt about that--and his sloop's one, too. She does the sailing while he lounges below with a book.
This book is joyous, full of the love of life and of the sea. Still, towards the end, it's possible to see that Slocum has had enough of sailing, and is anxious to be home.
Christmas present (2007)....more
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recommends it for:
sailors/bored office workers
This is as fine a sea yarn as has ever been crafted. Slocum got the notion, built his own boat by hand, set sail around the world by himself and returned to his home port of Brier Island Nova Scotia to tell the tale - and what a tale it is!
You can taste the salt air in the pages and by about page 10 you can only put it down long enough to pour a beer, after all you can't leave the tiller unoccupied on a solo voyage in a mid-atlantic gale!
You can taste the salt air in the pages and by about page 10 you can only put it down long enough to pour a beer, after all you can't leave the tiller unoccupied on a solo voyage in a mid-atlantic gale!
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Read in September, 2007
Of course you're going to get some sailing books here from me. This one may appeal to non sailors as well. Josh Slocum sailed around the world alone in a small boat of his own modifications around the turn of the last century. Good narative and a uniquie look at the world from one lonely sailors perspective.
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bookshelves:
currently-reading
recommends it for: travel, sailing
Read in January, 2008
recommended to Jms by:
janet millikinrecommends it for: travel, sailing
Joshua Slocum salied alone around the world on a sloop named Spray... it took him three years (1895-1898) and an imponderable reserve of skill, determination, good fortune, and insanity. Fascinating glimpse at sailing, world culture in the late 19th century, and the art of travel writing.
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bookshelves:
currently-reading,
literature
I'm sadly not in a mood for romance books right now (sorry Rachel! and the 30 books she's loaned me). I'm more into complete lack of romance and adventure stories. That's my life right now: no romance, one BIG adventure.
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Read in June, 2008
I could not read it. Maybe it's a little like Moby Dick, but I couldn't make it through 50 pages of the diamater of the fell swoop and the shipbuilding to even get to much of the voyage.
I'll wait for the movie.
I'll wait for the movie.
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Read in August, 2005
Fantastic, this book changed my life and my ideas of what is possible. I actually have the plans to build an updated version of Slocum's boat and one day i will build it maybe bringing solar sailor into the mix.
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bookshelves:
blew-my-socks-off
Read in January, 1999
This book is dangerous: it will make you want to throw over your entire life and go to sea.
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This was one of my motivating factors to buying and living on a sailboat.
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Read in January, 2007
recommends it for:
Self Abusers
Wait 'til Winter for this one.
Drink Scotch,
Smoke,
And get desperate.
Drink Scotch,
Smoke,
And get desperate.
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Has a copy to sell/swap
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Read in August, 2007
Made me want to sail around the world, with other people, NOT alone.
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bookshelves:
to-read,
wellreadexplorer-to-read
#7 of Outside Magazine's "Books for the Well-Read Explorer"
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