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Summary: The book to read when you can't afford to go anywhere
Review: I first read Slocum's account ... while riding ... on a ferryboat. My experience with boating is basically limited to... that ferry ride,... I certainly cannot review "Alone" on any sort of technical level. I just know that it's the ideal escape fantasy. Here Slocum travels the world on his own terms, emphasizing all the pleasures of reading on an empty sea by day, while making the difficult parts (the storms, the pirates) seem like amusing diversions. The leaden 19th century prose is probably the biggest obstacle to enjoying the book. A narrative of the same journey written today would be far more action-oriented. However, the reader can fill in the parts that Slocum makes seem harmless -- the illnesses, the fear of sudden death, the near madness after 70 days alone on the Pacific -- for a truer taste of just how harrowing the voyage must really have been. And then there's always the pleasure of dining with island governors, and the hobnobbing with celebrity (Mrs. Robert Louis Stevenson has a large role), and unintentional amusement as Slocum describes, and bypasses, the island where a recent series of "Survivor" was filmed. When the nautical urge strikes me, this is the book I read.
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Summary: Superb seamanship plus a synoptic view of the world in 1895
Review: Although renowned at the time, Slocum has become a little-known American hero. The narrative in his book is direct, a working sailor's plain narrative of events, difficulties and dangers encountered. The book is also a fascinating glimpse into a world that has passed, since it's a single person's view of the whole world as he encountered it directly at the turn of the last century. Slocum met a number of prominent historical figures on his voyage: his assessment of President Kruger, who truly believed the world to be flat, is a gem.
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Summary: A touching love story between father and son
Review: An emotionally moving book that is for anyone with any knowledge of sailing or small boat handling, who has ever dreamed of taking a voyage beyond the safety of land. You expernience the reality of life at sea. More than that, this book is for anyone who has experienced the love of a child or parent. On a voyage that the father had looked forward to all his life, he (David Hays) steps aside and lets his son (Daniel Hays) cross under the Horn first. A truly selfless expression of love for a child. Buy it, read it, share it. A great book.
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Summary: One of the most entertaining books I ever read...
Review: I have to say I was absolutely shocked to see ANY reviews that were less than 5 stars. That is how much I enjoyed this book. I've have actually read this book about once every 2 months for a couple of years now, and I never get tired of my "evening conversations with the Captain", sharing his sail around the world. The Captain will take you to Yankee whaling towns, pirate shoals off the coast of Spain, South Sea paradise islands, among Fuegian natives round the horn, throughout distant Australia, then far beyond and back again. The book is absolutely full of adventures, and if you love the sea or reading about sailing, this is a must read classic. Merry Chistmas to all,
Mike
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Summary: A great true adventure story
Review: Joshua Slocum is one of the great adventurers of all time. His solo circumnavigation of the globe was the first and he decribes his adventures in a way that draws you into his world, as if he takes you along. we are fortunate that a man with his sea experience also could write with such insight - much like Ricard Henry Dana's "Two Years Before the Mast"
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Summary: A great adventure
Review: My feeling, upon finishing this book, was that I wish I'd had the opportunity to meet this remarkable man. What a great story of adventure as Slocum sets out in the Spray to sail solo around the world. He seems to have such a wonderful attitude about the whole thing, never really taking anything too seriously, but just enjoying the whole epic. It is incredible that this was done way back in 1895, long before the sophisticated navigational aides sailors and yachtsmen have available today. Yet, he seems to almost casually find his way around the world, meeting interesting people, avoiding mishaps and just generally having a great time. His writing is simple and a joy to read. It's a wonderful story for all ages and certainly not surprising that it has been so popular over the years.
Rating: 
Summary: A true adventure...
Review: My three stars are in no way a disrespectful gesture towards Joshua Slocum and his magnificent voyage. His bravery will go unmatched by many. However, rating his story on a literary scale, I can't give it more than a three. If you're not a sailor, and I'm not, then you may find yourself bogged down by many sea/boat terms. On the other hand, if you have worked on a boat, or enjoy sailing, then you will love this story. I might also note that at times the story becomes repetitive, but it is not without its witty and suspenseful moments. This account of Slocum's courageous voyage around the world would probably only appeal to those that already have some knowledge of the sea. I guess its all relative.
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Summary: A wonderful little book
Review: Quite simply, a perfect recounting of one man's sailing journey around the world in a time when you could do that sort of thing without a corporate sponsor. Men like Joshua Slocum -- who can perform great feats of daring and courage with complete humility -- don't exist anymore. No writer, Slocum's simple, straight-forward prose is a relief to anyone looking for a break from self-important fiction, wordy biographies and over-complicated takes on our over-complicated world.
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Summary: sailing- choada
Review: Some might find a book about 3 years at sea interesting like famous skot heffner. But I think waking up,
Using the restroom and sleeping on a boat for 3 years less than entertaining. Chalky white says what he wants when he wants!
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Summary: When the World was still Flat
Review: The story of the first solo circumnavigation of the world, is very intriguing. An epic adventure when many people still believed the world to be flat, Joshua Slocum writes of his experiences with pirates, dignitaries, and people from all over the world along his amazing journey. Despite the era that it is written in, the language remains somewhat timeless (and easily understandable), as is the challenge that Slocum undertook. You will enjoy reading about the nefarious storms of the southern ocean, and the calm, hospitable people of the islands in the south pacific, among other things. A great book.
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