To the Sea

Rating:
Summary: Excellent pictures and stories, junior high writing
Review: I have loved the sea and its stories my entire life, so when I received "To the Sea" I was elated. From a photographic point of view, this book is, in my opinion, unequaled. The pictures are astounding... wonderful color, great action, and there are many several-page fold-outs. I enjoyed very much the inclusion of ancient and modern excerpts from the works of many varied authors-- from Edgar Allen Poe to Joshua Slocum, from Coleridge to Hal Roth-- each with a unique perspective on the sea. But there is a downside to this in many ways amazing book. There are so many grammatical and technical errors that it makes the reader (at least this reader) wonder if it was ever edited. Spelling errors, begun-yet-not-completed-sentences, bad grammar, and a generally poor grasp of engaging writing left me, while spellbound by the pictures and poems contained within, more than a little upset. Instead of becoming lost in the stories or accounts, I found myself anticipating spelling mistakes or wondering when the next run-on sentence would occur. Meisel obviously knows what he is talking about, but presents it in such a "research paper" fashion that it is difficult to really appreciate the end result. In addition, he sometimes seems rushed to get his ideas down, and in the process does not develop them as he should. His descriptions of voyages and sagas on the sea throughout history are short and lack a depth someone so versed in the sea could have brought across. I was constantly left thinking, "man... if only there were another paragraph or two on this topic..." If Meisel would have taken the time to expand his thoughts further, the reader would be that much more taken. "To the Sea" could easily have been 50 to 100 pages longer, and would be better for it. On the whole, though, it is worth reading, and in many areas quite memorable. And, as said before, the photographs are unbelievable. If you love the sea, it is a worthwhile addition to your library. If you are an English professor, stick to the pictures.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent pictures and stories, junior high writing
Review: I have loved the sea and its stories my entire life, so when I received "To the Sea" I was elated. From a photographic point of view, this book is, in my opinion, unequaled. The pictures are astounding... wonderful color, great action, and there are many several-page fold-outs. I enjoyed very much the inclusion of ancient and modern excerpts from the works of many varied authors-- from Edgar Allen Poe to Joshua Slocum, from Coleridge to Hal Roth-- each with a unique perspective on the sea. But there is a downside to this in many ways amazing book. There are so many grammatical and technical errors that it makes the reader (at least this reader) wonder if it was ever edited. Spelling errors, begun-yet-not-completed-sentences, bad grammar, and a generally poor grasp of engaging writing left me, while spellbound by the pictures and poems contained within, more than a little upset. Instead of becoming lost in the stories or accounts, I found myself anticipating spelling mistakes or wondering when the next run-on sentence would occur. Meisel obviously knows what he is talking about, but presents it in such a "research paper" fashion that it is difficult to really appreciate the end result. In addition, he sometimes seems rushed to get his ideas down, and in the process does not develop them as he should. His descriptions of voyages and sagas on the sea throughout history are short and lack a depth someone so versed in the sea could have brought across. I was constantly left thinking, "man... if only there were another paragraph or two on this topic..." If Meisel would have taken the time to expand his thoughts further, the reader would be that much more taken. "To the Sea" could easily have been 50 to 100 pages longer, and would be better for it. On the whole, though, it is worth reading, and in many areas quite memorable. And, as said before, the photographs are unbelievable. If you love the sea, it is a worthwhile addition to your library. If you are an English professor, stick to the pictures.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent pictures and stories, junior high writing
Review: I have loved the sea and its stories my entire life, so when I received "To the Sea" I was elated. From a photographic point of view, this book is, in my opinion, unequaled. The pictures are astounding... wonderful color, great action, and there are many several-page fold-outs. I enjoyed very much the inclusion of ancient and modern excerpts from the works of many varied authors-- from Edgar Allen Poe to Joshua Slocum, from Coleridge to Hal Roth-- each with a unique perspective on the sea. But there is a downside to this in many ways amazing book. There are so many grammatical and technical errors that it makes the reader (at least this reader) wonder if it was ever edited. Spelling errors, begun-yet-not-completed-sentences, bad grammar, and a generally poor grasp of engaging writing left me, while spellbound by the pictures and poems contained within, more than a little upset. Instead of becoming lost in the stories or accounts, I found myself anticipating spelling mistakes or wondering when the next run-on sentence would occur. Meisel obviously knows what he is talking about, but presents it in such a "research paper" fashion that it is difficult to really appreciate the end result. In addition, he sometimes seems rushed to get his ideas down, and in the process does not develop them as he should. His descriptions of voyages and sagas on the sea throughout history are short and lack a depth someone so versed in the sea could have brought across. I was constantly left thinking, "man... if only there were another paragraph or two on this topic..." If Meisel would have taken the time to expand his thoughts further, the reader would be that much more taken. "To the Sea" could easily have been 50 to 100 pages longer, and would be better for it. On the whole, though, it is worth reading, and in many areas quite memorable. And, as said before, the photographs are unbelievable. If you love the sea, it is a worthwhile addition to your library. If you are an English professor, stick to the pictures.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent!
Review: I liked this book a lot, because you get so many different things in it! Excerpts from classic books about the sea and sailing, poems, etc, plus practical knowledge such as knot tying and signalling, plus stories about famous sailors, both modern-day and of olden times. For an excellent all-around look at ships and the sea, get this book. Plus...check out the size of the wave on the cover!!

Rating:
Summary: Visiting the sea at home
Review: This is not just a coffee table book to display on your table, but a book to pick up each night to broaden your knowledge of the sea, to lean more about the sea and sailing. I enjoyed reading the first chapters on explorations and the ways of early mariners, of tools used for navigation and early sailing vessels. Mixed in the chapters are pages of instruction in the tying of knots, "how to" tips on things on your boat, consturction details and rigging. The chapters that were of most interest to me were the ones on "Racing Against the Elements" and the one on "Storms and Disasters." I have been in many types of racing and was involved in the rescue of a sinking sailboat in a stormy race where a sailor almost lost his life, but thanks to the help of all sailors involved, the person was saved. This chapter on disasters would be to ever sailors advantage to read and know details. I will leave the chapter on "Sirens and Serpents" for you to read and reach your own conclusions, for we all dread the serpents we think live in the sea and we all fantaize of the mermaids that may also live in the sea! As a final comment, if you also love pictures of the sea, this book has some of the best!

Rating:
Summary: Voyage "To The Sea "....and Beyond.....
Review: This review refers to the hardcover edition of "To The Sea" by Tony Meisel....

This by far is the most beautiful book I own. Open this book to any page and you will find exquiste stories, ageless poems, epic adventures, breathtaking pictures and informative pieces on anything and everthing to do with the seas and boating. It's big, beautiful and heavy, and your arms might tire from holding it, but you won't want to put it down.

Voyages from the 15th century through present day are covered.Routes and charts used, the progress in navigational instruments are shown, photographs and stories of the world's great sailors from Captain James Cook to America's Cupwinning helmsman Dennis Conner is just a small sampling to be found here.
You'll get lost in the classic stories and poems to be found throughout the book. Excerpts from "Gulliver's Travels" by Jonathan Swift, "The Perfect Storm" by Sebastian Junger, the entire seven parts of "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" by Coleridge, and "On the Sea" by Keats among them.

Sections on Knots, Boats, Sea Shanties, Disaters, Triumphs, stories of Mermaids and many beautiful photographs and paintings(some that pull out to a three page view), all will keep any enthusiast of the sea or boats totally enthralled. There's even sections dealing with the technical aspects (gear, ropes and rigging, etc) for the serious sailor.

The book is packed with nautical facts and inspirational stories,and printed on high quality paper.It would look beautiful on the coffee table, but you may want to keep it away from an accidental spills.

"Those who live by the sea can hardly form a single thought of which the sea would not be part"....Hermann Broc

Permission to board.... and enjoy.....Laurie

Rating:
Summary: Voyage "To The Sea "....and Beyond.....
Review: This review refers to the hardcover edition of "To The Sea" by Tony Meisel....

This by far is the most beautiful book I own. Open this book to any page and you will find exquiste stories, ageless poems, epic adventures, breathtaking pictures and informative pieces on anything and everthing to do with the seas and boating. It's big, beautiful and heavy, and your arms might tire from holding it, but you won't want to put it down.

Voyages from the 15th century through present day are covered.Routes and charts used, the progress in navigational instruments are shown, photographs and stories of the world's great sailors from Captain James Cook to America's Cupwinning helmsman Dennis Conner is just a small sampling to be found here.
You'll get lost in the classic stories and poems to be found throughout the book. Excerpts from "Gulliver's Travels" by Jonathan Swift, "The Perfect Storm" by Sebastian Junger, the entire seven parts of "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" by Coleridge, and "On the Sea" by Keats among them.

Sections on Knots, Boats, Sea Shanties, Disaters, Triumphs, stories of Mermaids and many beautiful photographs and paintings(some that pull out to a three page view), all will keep any enthusiast of the sea or boats totally enthralled. There's even sections dealing with the technical aspects (gear, ropes and rigging, etc) for the serious sailor.

The book is packed with nautical facts and inspirational stories,and printed on high quality paper.It would look beautiful on the coffee table, but you may want to keep it away from an accidental spills.

"Those who live by the sea can hardly form a single thought of which the sea would not be part"....Hermann Broc

Permission to board.... and enjoy.....Laurie