Sailing With Bogie: A Memoir of Humphrey Bogart's Passion for the Sea

by Larry Dudley

Very few people understand the magic of the sea... and very few people ever knew that the world's best known actor Humphrey Bogart spent much of his free time aboard his sailboat SANTANA. Bogie committed many years of study and practice to earn the reputation as one of the most accomplished racers and captains in the area. Fellow sailor Larry Dudley came to be Bogie's friend, cabin mate and confidant during their ten years together sailing and racing off the coast of Southern California. Years into their friendship, Dudley had just finished reading "The African Queen" when he told Bogie he thought there was a part in it for him... a prophetic fit for the man and the movie. These two men shared a love of the ocean and the fine vessels that traveled on the seas. Be it a long race around the islands or at anchor off a pebbled beach, Bogie felt at ease amongst the sailors and had earned their respect on and off the water. He referred to the SANTANA as "the other world" and revealed a side of himself to his sailing friends that no one else knew. "Sailing With Bogie" reveals insights into his wife Lauren Bacall, Katherine Hepburn, Jack Warner, John Huston, Sterling Hayden and others. Read about Humphrey Bogart in a hidden life away from the Hollywood lights.

106 pages, Paperback

First published October 7, 2010

Reviews

[Read1000books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes you award 5 stars to a book because it has great written style, a page-turning plot, or an out-of-the-blue stunner ending. Other times it's simply due to the amount of personal enjoyment you received from the time spent. This short book (c. 95 pages) falls in the latter category. Ten years or more ago, since I had begun watching and enjoying his movies, I read the only biography of an actor I've ever read so far, BOGART: A LIFE IN HOLLYWOOD (see my review), an interesting volume in which I learned that Bogie's chief recreation in later life was spending time at sea in his yawl, SANTANA. This book, SAILING WITH BOGIE, was written by one of the men that crewed Bogart's boat for ten years. Sprinkled with humor and celeb appearances, it's a relaxing tale about boats, Bogart, and being on the water.

[Roy · Rating 4 out of 5]

While short, this book provides some interesting insights not mentioned in the many lengthier biographies about Hollywood icon Humphrey Bogart. A devoted sailor and WWI Navy veteran, Bogart appears to have been especially at home while on the water. This book is a definite 'must-read' for any true Bogart fan.

[Andy Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short account by Larry Dudley of his time spent working for Bogart on board his yacht. An interesting pen portrait of the actor (also of his last wife, Lauren Bacall) showing another side to the man than his screen persona.

[Richard Curry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable and quick read. Print is double-spaced, so it is not dense or long to read, however it is rich in interesting content, and satisfying. Describes the persons and situations as only a percipient witness on location could recite.