Arctic Schooner Bowdoin: A Biography

Rating:
Summary: Nice portrait of traditional boat & its people
Review: An engaging and readable account of a famous and much-loved traditional sailing vessel, much of it through the accounts of the people directly involved in sailing the Bowdoin, or restoring her later in her long life. The author is particularly good at presenting the people involved and letting their interests and quirks show through, without becoming intrusive (reminiscent of John McPhee). The writing exceeds the usual standard for enthusiast books about boats.

Rating:
Summary: Could be a great account.
Review: As an avid ex-sailor and amateur historian the Bowdoin has been well known . What is lacking in the book are several ommissions that should be added in the next edition .

Ex. An index would be useful in chasing down facets of information that one might wish to pursue . E.g. "Etah" is mentioned . As I know it is a base in Greenland it is not easy to extract data on this area. {One wonders if the word is a slap at humor-{Backwards it spells "Hate"} Also missing are maps of each major voyage and the time frame that it covered , If the author would get in touch with me I have an historical card and picture of the Bowdoin mailed in 1925 from Canada showing the bowdoin at the three radio operators that manned the Zenith short wave radio as well as the Bowdoin . . The card relates that it was at Etah which is 78 degrees north latitude

Rating:
Summary: A poignant, compelling story
Review: Virginia Thorndike has done a nifty job of turning historical fact into a poignant, compelling story, weaving the voices of her sources to create the varied tapestry of Bowdoin's long, distinguished career. She has a gift for story telling, and for including and explaining shipbuilding concepts (such as "treenails") without interrupting the flow. One felt what it was like to be sailing the Labrador on Bowdoin, or to be struggling to restore her when she had fallen on hard times.

I do have one criticism: any book so filled with people, places and events should have at least a rudimentary index. For shame, North Country Press! I read the book over a series of weekends and found myself wanting to refer back now and then. That's a nit, though: this is a good read!