Rating: 
Summary: One of the best books of its genre
Review: This book reminds me of William Snaith's book "On the Wind's Way", written 35 years ago. The vehicle is sailing, but the subject is really existential philosophy and the story of how one young man from a very early age decided to lead a life of individual freedom, independence, self-sufficiency, honesty and responsibility. Don't be misled by the stupid and misleading title (probably suggested by some marketing genius at Sheridan House), this book has an important message for today's disaffected, disenchanted thirty-something generation. The message is that time is an individual's only asset and doesn't have to be wasted in jobs or activities we don't like doing. Although not quite in Camus' league (despite the flattery of Mme. Richardson), Kretschmer is a very good writer who doesn't let the underlying philosophy lesson get in the way of the yacht delivery stories, all of which are related with a sardonic humor and just the right amount of technical detail. And "Mom Kretschmer"--what a gal she must be! But that's another story which I hope her son will decide to write some day. Kretschmer the writer deserves a better publisher who can give much wider distribution and better editing than Sheridan House.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best books of its genre
Review: This book reminds me of William Snaith's book "On the Wind's Way", written 35 years ago. The vehicle is sailing, but the subject is really existential philosophy and the story of how one young man from a very early age decided to lead a life of individual freedom, independence, self-sufficiency, honesty and responsibility. Don't be misled by the stupid and misleading title (probably suggested by some marketing genius at Sheridan House), this book has an important message for today's disaffected, disenchanted thirty-something generation. The message is that time is an individual's only asset and doesn't have to be wasted in jobs or activities we don't like doing. Although not quite in Camus' league (despite the flattery of Mme. Richardson), Kretschmer is a very good writer who doesn't let the underlying philosophy lesson get in the way of the yacht delivery stories, all of which are related with a sardonic humor and just the right amount of technical detail. And "Mom Kretschmer"--what a gal she must be! But that's another story which I hope her son will decide to write some day. Kretschmer the writer deserves a better publisher who can give much wider distribution and better editing than Sheridan House.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent! I couldn't put it down.
Review: This has to be one of the best books I have read in quite a while. John makes you feel like you are a part of his crew (or at least a fly on the bulkhead) throughout each adventure. I only wish I had gone into the boat delivery business instead of computers...
Rating:
Summary: Buy It, Read It, Love It
Review: This is a great book! I dreaded finishing it as I saw the pages rapidly flying by. Mr. Kretschmer's every day adventures as a sailboat delivery skipper are very entertaining, but the true wealth in this book is this guy's attitude. An inspiration to all, sailors and landlubbers, who are concious of their voyage across this little blue planet.
Rating:
Summary: A Great Tale by a Great Story Teller
Review: This is a wonderful story within a story. John's style of writing makes the book hard to put down. Each chapter brings a new perspective to blue water sailing. The adventures, risks, and pit falls of sailing to distant ports in an unfamiliar boat, are made humourously, if not hair raisingly clear. If you ever thought you wanted to deliver sailboats for a living, you had better read this book to get an idea of what it's really like!
Rating: 
Summary: Memoirs of a B------ Artist
Review: This yarn-spinning is pretty good...and it's a good way to while away a few hours. But there is something tiresome, after a while, as you listen to all his little adventures made large with John always being the hero. I suspect he's a better writer than he is a captain. There was a little too much testosterone in the bilges of his boats for me to have too much respect for some of his actions.
Rating: 
Summary: Blue water calling
Review: Well it wasn't the best written but the interesting subject matter more than made up for the lack of caracter development. Inspired plans for an off shore cruise this summer.
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