Rating: 
Summary: Follow the Spray, she'll lead you whe you need to go....
Review: I grew up listening to Sailing Alone Around the World
by Joshua Slocum. His adventures in a distant era on the Spray
seemed magical to me. All the more fantastic because they were
true. As I continue to plan my walk over the length of Europe, from Norway to the Medditerannean this story has often been remembered. I reccomend it for all who can dream.
good journey,
tor
Rating:
Summary: Slocum was one tough, old adventurer.
Review: I have many shelves of books and magazines I have yet to read. Yet, I have read this book three times in the past five years. I understand why it was required reading for school children when it was first published
Rating:
Summary: The best part of Slocum is, his life's based on a true story
Review: I have read any number of books by small boat sailors, but never have I enjoyed one more than this. Why? I love success stories, and Capt. Slocum was the sort who assured his success before he set out. He anticipated, and prepared for every contingency, and he succeeded in spite of doubters. But, what really sets the book apart is its language and the scope of knowledge of this third-grader. I gave most my other 'sea' books away, but will keep this one forever.
Rating:
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
Rating: 
Summary: a must read for nautical enthusiasts
Review: I've been on somewhat of an adventure mode lately with all the Shackleton books, modern sailing travels and rescues, Everest, etc...., but this one is worth reading because Slocum was one of the "original" adventurers. He took a very small boat and made it seaworthy -- it's interesting to note that he felt so comfortable on the boat that he never shows fear, not even as he rounds the Horn or passes through major storms. He downplays his skill, but with little more than dead reckoning, he manages to find little islands in the middle of the Pacific and never fears getting lost. After his first wife died, he didn't feel happy on land, so he set off to sail around the globe which takes him 3 years. Particularly interesting are all the ports of call and how he is treated in each one. In the late 19th century, there was great interest in his trip and usually he was greated with fanfare. In this well-written and adventure filled travelogue, he recounts his travels and the details of his trip around the world with many interesting stops along the way. A great read.
Rating:
Summary: A Lesson for Life
Review: In 1956, my Mother took my brother and I on a tour of the USA by Greyhound bus. This adventurous journey across the heartland of America was an eye-opener in itself. But, when we reached Boston to visit with my Godfather and Godmother, as a gift from them, I received a wonderful Dover Books copy of Captain Slocum's book "Sailing Around the World." My Godparents had originally gave an old, old copy of this book to my Father when he and my Mom had been guests of theirs in Boston during the war years while my father was serving aboard the USS San Fransico, which was drydocked at Boston Shipyard. With the receipt of this book, our Greyhound trip, that began as a simple navigation of our country quickly became a 10 year old's imaginary circumnavigation of the world, in addition to an education to the variety of our world's cultures through the work of this wonderfully humble man. It has been required reading for young adults for many, many years. It is a timeless memoir from which every reader can learn something. Self-determination, ingenuity, mathmatics, geography, navigation, it's all here.
Rating:
Summary: A Nautical Notebook
Review: It was an interesting experience reading all the reviews of this book: What is wrong, as one reviewer who got his throat cut by you guys, with saying that it's not Literature with a capital "L"??? It's not Moby Dick. It's not Conrad Aiken's Blue Voyage. It's not Richard Dana's Two Years Before The Mast.-What it is is a simple man's account of his daring trek around the world through many a life-threatening situation. What makes this short little book a good read is its to-the-point account of what he's up to. The only work of literature it reminds me of at points, oddly enough, is Thoreau's Walden, with that particularity in regards to detail: to times of day, expenses etc. But, of course, there are none of Thoreau's deep reflections of time and man's relation to Nature etc-But I don't think the lovers of this book are into that kind of thing anyway-What they want is sort of non-fiction Robert Louis Stevenson stuff-Oh well, I've never understood why Moby Dick is considered so great anyway: more of an encyclopedia on cetology than a novel as far as I can tell.-So, if you're into a non-sophisticated tale of one man's sea adventure, follow Slocum and hurry back to the sloop to forget yourself again in the voyage.
Rating:
Summary: A Nautical Notebook
Review: It was an interesting experience reading all the reviews of this book: What is wrong, as one reviewer who got his throat cut by you guys, with saying that it's not Literature with a capital "L"??? It's not Moby Dick. It's not Conrad Aiken's Blue Voyage. It's not Richard Dana's Two Years Before The Mast.-What it is is a simple man's account of his daring trek around the world through many a life-threatening situation. What makes this short little book a good read is its to-the-point account of what he's up to. The only work of literature it reminds me of at points, oddly enough, is Thoreau's Walden, with that particularity in regards to detail: to times of day, expenses etc. But, of course, there are none of Thoreau's deep reflections of time and man's relation to Nature etc-But I don't think the lovers of this book are into that kind of thing anyway-What they want is sort of non-fiction Robert Louis Stevenson stuff-Oh well, I've never understood why Moby Dick is considered so great anyway: more of an encyclopedia on cetology than a novel as far as I can tell.-So, if you're into a non-sophisticated tale of one man's sea adventure, follow Slocum and hurry back to the sloop to forget yourself again in the voyage.
Rating:
Summary: An inexpensive book with a big "true" story--Buy It
Review: Joshua Slocum found himself out of a job and depressed when he was given a boat-the Spray, which he restored and used to set off around the world alone. It is fitting that a life long seaman such as he was the first man to do it, and that he did it for himself and not for the glory of it. A first class read, and at this price how, can you afford not to buy it. You will treasure this book, and not want to lend it out for fear it may not return.
Rating:
Summary: Courage, adventure, interesting.
Review: Joshua Slocum is not a writer, is old sailor man, but this book is wonderful, you must read. This book was a gift that I received, and was one of the best gifts of my life. This book have a interesting history that can take all the atencion of the reader, and can inspirate some persons. A good gift for young readers.
|
