I have been reading a lot of Tristan Jones Novels this past summer and I have read almost everything by him. Ice was one of my favorites as well as The Incredible Journey. Another great book I read while in Australia last year was about the Sydney to Hobart regatta unfortunately I can’t remember the name though. Dove was another great story of the youngest persons to sail singlehanded around the world. I am looking for some more great reading material so I can live the adventure through reading while I am saving my money for my own next adventure, which might not be for a long time.
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Patrick O'Brian
I am truly enjoying the Patrick O'Brian series. After the movie, Master and Commander, I went out and picked up the first few books. I enjoyed the movie, but the books, in my opinion, are MUCH better. Currently on #14 in the series, Nutmeg of Consolation. The paperbacks are relatively reasonably priced, although with so many of them, by the time I've bought the whole set, I'll have spent . . . more than my wife needs to know.
I am truly enjoying the Patrick O'Brian series. After the movie, Master and Commander, I went out and picked up the first few books. I enjoyed the movie, but the books, in my opinion, are MUCH better. Currently on #14 in the series, Nutmeg of Consolation. The paperbacks are relatively reasonably priced, although with so many of them, by the time I've bought the whole set, I'll have spent . . . more than my wife needs to know.
Longitude by Dava Sobel
I just read this book and found it very interesting. Quoting from a review: "Part biography, part history, part scientific exploration, Longitude relates the quest for an accurate way to determine longitude. Unlike parallels of latitude, which are fixed by nature, longitude is judged by means of time. Specifically, you must know the time where you are and the time at a known longitude simultaneously. The longitude problem remained unsolved for the better part of human history; it was a matter of life and death to those on ships at sea. If you didn't know your longitude, you couldn't know exactly where you were, and land could rise out of the water with terrible suddenness, smashing your ship and those it carried against land's end."
I just read this book and found it very interesting. Quoting from a review: "Part biography, part history, part scientific exploration, Longitude relates the quest for an accurate way to determine longitude. Unlike parallels of latitude, which are fixed by nature, longitude is judged by means of time. Specifically, you must know the time where you are and the time at a known longitude simultaneously. The longitude problem remained unsolved for the better part of human history; it was a matter of life and death to those on ships at sea. If you didn't know your longitude, you couldn't know exactly where you were, and land could rise out of the water with terrible suddenness, smashing your ship and those it carried against land's end."
lots!
I am a non-fiction reader: -Close to the Wind - Pete Goss - terrific read -Maiden Voyage - Tania Aebi - couldn't put it down -My Old Man and the Sea - David Hays - another great read -The Breath of Angels - John Beattie - just reading it now, love it -Mahina Tiare: Pacific Passages - Barbara Marrett - read this past summer, loved it -The Sea was our Village - Miles Smeeton - Anything by him is great And last but not least: -High Endeavors: The Extraordinary Life and Adventures of Miles and Beryl Smeeton - Miles Clark
I am a non-fiction reader: -Close to the Wind - Pete Goss - terrific read -Maiden Voyage - Tania Aebi - couldn't put it down -My Old Man and the Sea - David Hays - another great read -The Breath of Angels - John Beattie - just reading it now, love it -Mahina Tiare: Pacific Passages - Barbara Marrett - read this past summer, loved it -The Sea was our Village - Miles Smeeton - Anything by him is great And last but not least: -High Endeavors: The Extraordinary Life and Adventures of Miles and Beryl Smeeton - Miles Clark
Lila
Lila by Robert Pirsig. It's the sequel to Zen & the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, and takes place on a sailboat heading down the Hudson to NYC. -J
Lila by Robert Pirsig. It's the sequel to Zen & the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, and takes place on a sailboat heading down the Hudson to NYC. -J
Mutiny on the Bounty
My favorite sailing story is the true story of the mutiny on the HMS Bounty. I'm bias because 3 of the mutineers are my 6th great grandfathers (including Fletcher Christian). After the mutiny they found Pitcairn Island in the South Pacific and started a 'colony' of sorts and were not discovered for about 20 years. The 1984 movie 'The Bounty' with Mel Gibson has a lot of good old sailing shots and sailing drama on the 110 ft Bounty.
My favorite sailing story is the true story of the mutiny on the HMS Bounty. I'm bias because 3 of the mutineers are my 6th great grandfathers (including Fletcher Christian). After the mutiny they found Pitcairn Island in the South Pacific and started a 'colony' of sorts and were not discovered for about 20 years. The 1984 movie 'The Bounty' with Mel Gibson has a lot of good old sailing shots and sailing drama on the 110 ft Bounty.
Second O'Brian
I second the Patrick O'Brian books covering the British navy in the late 18th and early 19th century. Facinating - In the last month I read the first two in the Aubrey series, plus "The Golden Ocean". However, instead of laying out cash I borrowed them from my local library. I take out two at a time so that if I finish one I don't have to wait for the next. Just be sure not to read them out of order.
I second the Patrick O'Brian books covering the British navy in the late 18th and early 19th century. Facinating - In the last month I read the first two in the Aubrey series, plus "The Golden Ocean". However, instead of laying out cash I borrowed them from my local library. I take out two at a time so that if I finish one I don't have to wait for the next. Just be sure not to read them out of order.
Desperate Voyage
I liked this because: 1 It was true 2 The guy survived the type of stupid mistakes I would likely make (at one time). 3 He didn't give up on sailing 4 It was well written John Caldwell's harrowing account of finding himself stranded in Panama after World War II and setting out single-handed on a 9,000-mile journey aboard the 29-foot PAGAN to rejoin his wife in Sydney.
I liked this because: 1 It was true 2 The guy survived the type of stupid mistakes I would likely make (at one time). 3 He didn't give up on sailing 4 It was well written John Caldwell's harrowing account of finding himself stranded in Panama after World War II and setting out single-handed on a 9,000-mile journey aboard the 29-foot PAGAN to rejoin his wife in Sydney.
best books
"men qgainst the sea is a factual book about capt blighe's voyage (3500 nm) after the mutiny. he charted the great barrier reef as he sailed his 21 ft boat with 19 men to safety. (6" freeboard). shipkiller - largest tanker in the world runs down boat, kills wife. husband hunts down tanker in a swan. hillarity ensues when every country in the middle east and all secret security agencies in europe and us decide to stop him. great book.
"men qgainst the sea is a factual book about capt blighe's voyage (3500 nm) after the mutiny. he charted the great barrier reef as he sailed his 21 ft boat with 19 men to safety. (6" freeboard). shipkiller - largest tanker in the world runs down boat, kills wife. husband hunts down tanker in a swan. hillarity ensues when every country in the middle east and all secret security agencies in europe and us decide to stop him. great book.
don't forget non-fiction: The Coast of Summer
Steve, I'm another non-fiction reader and if you sail on the New England coast you definitely need to read Anthony Bailey's Coast of Summer. Bailey's navigation diary includes stories of pirate battles in the coves of Woods Hole, British naval fleets sailing in and out of Shelter Island, and recounted family lore from various islanders that will give your imagination a lot of color to add to that coastline as it goes by...
Steve, I'm another non-fiction reader and if you sail on the New England coast you definitely need to read Anthony Bailey's Coast of Summer. Bailey's navigation diary includes stories of pirate battles in the coves of Woods Hole, British naval fleets sailing in and out of Shelter Island, and recounted family lore from various islanders that will give your imagination a lot of color to add to that coastline as it goes by...
Fiction and Non-fiction
Your initial examples were all non-fiction. My suggestions that were not already mentioned: The Last Voyage of the Albatross - Chuck Geig. The inspiration for the movie White Squall. There are several other books on this same topic. Flirting with Mermaids: sailing writer John Kretchmer's adventures as a delivery boat skipper. Song of the Siren: Ernest K. Gann. The author's experiences on a variety of boats in the 50's and 60's. Gann is a fine writer. I especially remember his tales aboard the boat that would become the Albatross of White Squall fame. Novels: Anything written by Sam Llewellyn. Murder mysteries at sea. author Tony Gibbs also wrote a series of mystery/adventure novels set on a charter boat in the Carribean. I remember that one of them was titled Running Fix, and another was Landfall. I'm pretty sure there was a third one as well. He also wrote another mystery in the yachting world, but I can't remember the title. I do remember thinking it was a great nautical read.
Your initial examples were all non-fiction. My suggestions that were not already mentioned: The Last Voyage of the Albatross - Chuck Geig. The inspiration for the movie White Squall. There are several other books on this same topic. Flirting with Mermaids: sailing writer John Kretchmer's adventures as a delivery boat skipper. Song of the Siren: Ernest K. Gann. The author's experiences on a variety of boats in the 50's and 60's. Gann is a fine writer. I especially remember his tales aboard the boat that would become the Albatross of White Squall fame. Novels: Anything written by Sam Llewellyn. Murder mysteries at sea. author Tony Gibbs also wrote a series of mystery/adventure novels set on a charter boat in the Carribean. I remember that one of them was titled Running Fix, and another was Landfall. I'm pretty sure there was a third one as well. He also wrote another mystery in the yachting world, but I can't remember the title. I do remember thinking it was a great nautical read.
Dana
Don't forget "Two Years Before The Mast" by Richard Henry Dana Written in 1840 it holds up well and is an excellent education and glimpse into California history
Don't forget "Two Years Before The Mast" by Richard Henry Dana Written in 1840 it holds up well and is an excellent education and glimpse into California history
I loved Coast of summer too.
I just finished reading Coats of Summer for the second time......after going on a LI Sound vacation this summer I re-read Bailey's accounts and with my trip still fresh could understand and envision it a bit better. Some more books I liked : "Letters from the Lost Soul" ( Bob Bitchin rules!!) "All Fr A Bottle of Whisky" and (although I sail a classic plastic) I loved reading "Wooden Boats" by Michael Ruhlman
I just finished reading Coats of Summer for the second time......after going on a LI Sound vacation this summer I re-read Bailey's accounts and with my trip still fresh could understand and envision it a bit better. Some more books I liked : "Letters from the Lost Soul" ( Bob Bitchin rules!!) "All Fr A Bottle of Whisky" and (although I sail a classic plastic) I loved reading "Wooden Boats" by Michael Ruhlman
The Other Side of Sailing
Anyone who wonders what his boat or any boat might do in a serrious storm should read Fastnet Force 10. It's riveting non-fiction, very well documented, boat by boat report on the 1979 Fastnet race and the storm that swept over the fleet during that race. Ted Turner as skipper and Gary Jobson as tactician on Tennacious had the bittersweet victory considering the loss of boats and loss of lives.
Anyone who wonders what his boat or any boat might do in a serrious storm should read Fastnet Force 10. It's riveting non-fiction, very well documented, boat by boat report on the 1979 Fastnet race and the storm that swept over the fleet during that race. Ted Turner as skipper and Gary Jobson as tactician on Tennacious had the bittersweet victory considering the loss of boats and loss of lives.
...Before the Mast
I just finished reading this book. Besides the nautical aspects of the book his description of California was very interesting. I live, work, and sail in the area he visited. His descriptions of how barren California was in 1935 is amazing. The "24 years later" chapter starts to show the growth of California. I'm just glad I don't have to eat out of a "kid" and look forward to Sundays "duff". You can download a free e-text version of the whole book at
I just finished reading this book. Besides the nautical aspects of the book his description of California was very interesting. I live, work, and sail in the area he visited. His descriptions of how barren California was in 1935 is amazing. The "24 years later" chapter starts to show the growth of California. I'm just glad I don't have to eat out of a "kid" and look forward to Sundays "duff". You can download a free e-text version of the whole book at
Books
I have to second "The Boat Who wouldn't Float" One of my all time favorites. I was also struck by Chichesters's account of his solo trip around the world - i think it was "Gypsy Moth"
I have to second "The Boat Who wouldn't Float" One of my all time favorites. I was also struck by Chichesters's account of his solo trip around the world - i think it was "Gypsy Moth"
- Jan 22, 2008
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An old standby
is Lin and Larry Pardy's books, the one I am currently reading is Serafin's European Adventure. Another book I have heard of, is An Embarrasment of mangos- by ann van der hoof If you liked Mowatt's boat who wouldn't float, you will also like The Thousand Dollar Yacht by Anthony Bailey.
is Lin and Larry Pardy's books, the one I am currently reading is Serafin's European Adventure. Another book I have heard of, is An Embarrasment of mangos- by ann van der hoof If you liked Mowatt's boat who wouldn't float, you will also like The Thousand Dollar Yacht by Anthony Bailey.
Great topic!
My personal favorite, recommended by Chichester, is "The Bird of Dawning", by John Masefield, Poet Laureate of England for 38 years. While not as well known for his prose as he was for such poems as "Sea Fever", Masefield wrote knowledgably about the world of square-riggers, having rounded Cape Horn as crew on one before he was 20. This work of fiction deals with the celebrated competition between the tea clippers to bring the first tea cargo of the year to England in the 1850s. Though a little slow in the middle, it compensates with a rousing finish, putting the reader on board one of these magnificent ships as it roars up the Channel, its skipper determined to drive it home or drive it under. If you've ever wondered why all the fuss over the clippers, this one will answer that question.
My personal favorite, recommended by Chichester, is "The Bird of Dawning", by John Masefield, Poet Laureate of England for 38 years. While not as well known for his prose as he was for such poems as "Sea Fever", Masefield wrote knowledgably about the world of square-riggers, having rounded Cape Horn as crew on one before he was 20. This work of fiction deals with the celebrated competition between the tea clippers to bring the first tea cargo of the year to England in the 1850s. Though a little slow in the middle, it compensates with a rousing finish, putting the reader on board one of these magnificent ships as it roars up the Channel, its skipper determined to drive it home or drive it under. If you've ever wondered why all the fuss over the clippers, this one will answer that question.
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