Cathedral of the World: Sailing notes for a blue planet

by Myron Arms

The curved lines of a sailing ship resemble the inverted dome of a great cathedral, surrounded not by soot-covered buildings and crowded streets but by a vast liquid wilderness. This physical and symbolic connection is at the thematic heart of Cathedral of the World , a collection of essays in which writer and professional small-boat sailor Myron Arms sets out on a journey both physical and spiritual, seeking to explore what he calls "the primal spaces" and to articulate the sailor's age-old quest to understand his world and himself.

Arms, author of the Boston Globe bestseller Riddle of the Ice , weaves the experiences of four decades at sea into a series of reflections that range across half a lifetime and thousands of ocean miles. During these journeys, he takes readers to some of the last wild places on Earth, climbing the hills of the North Atlantic in a full gale, watching the flight of seabirds, listening to the night-breath of whales, and pondering the questions that all such encounters inspire.

What John Muir did for western forests, what Edward Abbey did for the desert, Arms now does for the ocean. In a voice that is reverent, impassioned, and clear-sighted, he celebrates the wilderness he has come to love, mourns its wounds, and demonstrates for all of us its power to heal.

176 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1999

Reviews

[James Easterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first read this book in 1999 and have kept it ever since. Poetic, predictive, pointed. Here is my take:
God to humankind: Quit thinking it’s all about you, because it ain’t. And quit creating me in your image, I’m not impressed! You are one of many species. You have become the witnesses of your own extinction, and the cause of many others. You want my grace? Save your selves.

[Karlo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful musings on the topics related somewhat to the sea. More of an opportunity to share philosophical wonder about the simple joys in life. Quite a moving book. It's a collection of short essays and should bring a thoughtful smile to an otherwise grey day.

[Bill Donhiser · Rating 4 out of 5]

More of a philosophy book than a sailing book. I found this a pleasant read and wondered why I let it sit on the shelf as long as I did before I got around to reading it. Well worth the time. I look forward to reading his other book "Riddle of the Ice"