When you're off the water do you enjoy reading about sailing? If so, what kind of books do you read? Is Jack Aubrey your hero or do you like older fictional works like those of Melville, Conrad or Dana? Maybe you prefer non-fiction adventure stories of racing or cruising, like Ellen Macarthur's new book. Or do your tastes run more to the how-to books on sail trim or maintenance? Perhaps you like to do it... but not read about it. Share your favorite sailing authors and books then vote in the Quick Quiz at the bottom of the home page. (Quiz by Gary Wyngarden)
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Adventure racing
Mostly Nonfiction. I was reading a lot of Linda Greenlaw and Sebastion Junger but have moved over to mainly sailing books. Books like "A Voyage for Madmen" and "Proving Ground" I also enjoy perusing the "Annapolis Book of Seamanship" and "This Old Boat". They always give me great new ideas on how to sail and improvements for my boat. I am currently reading "The Greatest Sailing Stories"??? which includes Pete Goos' account of the '96 Vendee Globe. Tim
Mostly Nonfiction. I was reading a lot of Linda Greenlaw and Sebastion Junger but have moved over to mainly sailing books. Books like "A Voyage for Madmen" and "Proving Ground" I also enjoy perusing the "Annapolis Book of Seamanship" and "This Old Boat". They always give me great new ideas on how to sail and improvements for my boat. I am currently reading "The Greatest Sailing Stories"??? which includes Pete Goos' account of the '96 Vendee Globe. Tim
I love to read about sailing
I love to read about cruising,technical aspects of sailing, sail magazines. anything I can get my hands on to learn more about the sport and other people's experiences, I read. There are not that many people interested in ailing in my area.....most people are interested in bass fishing,skiing, or jet skiing. my favorite books so far include: two around the horn, Dove, and blown away.
I love to read about cruising,technical aspects of sailing, sail magazines. anything I can get my hands on to learn more about the sport and other people's experiences, I read. There are not that many people interested in ailing in my area.....most people are interested in bass fishing,skiing, or jet skiing. my favorite books so far include: two around the horn, Dove, and blown away.
Reading
The nautical fiction genre is great: O'Brien; Alexander Kent; C.S. Forester have kept me busy for the last year or so. Any other serials that are good reading? Also am looking forward to the Patrick O'Brien movie coming out this November, Master and Commander, the Far Side of the World.
The nautical fiction genre is great: O'Brien; Alexander Kent; C.S. Forester have kept me busy for the last year or so. Any other serials that are good reading? Also am looking forward to the Patrick O'Brien movie coming out this November, Master and Commander, the Far Side of the World.
Everything, all the time
I pore over the catalogues, the magazines, the cruising guides, the boat reviews, AND any well-written fiction having to do with sailing or the sea. Just recently I reread Joseph Conrad's "Typhoon" and kept checking to see if I was wet. What a stark, awesome account of the power of a storm at sea. Not for the faint-hearted if you are ever tempted to head out in iffy conditions. Bernard Cornwell has also written several gripping sailing adventure stories (see link).
I pore over the catalogues, the magazines, the cruising guides, the boat reviews, AND any well-written fiction having to do with sailing or the sea. Just recently I reread Joseph Conrad's "Typhoon" and kept checking to see if I was wet. What a stark, awesome account of the power of a storm at sea. Not for the faint-hearted if you are ever tempted to head out in iffy conditions. Bernard Cornwell has also written several gripping sailing adventure stories (see link).
Circumnavigation
I love to read sailing stories about ordinary people who accomplish extraordinary things. Possibly the best circumnavigation novel I have ever read - and I have read many! - is "The Voyage of the Northern Magic" by Diane Stuemer - the story of an ordinary family of 5 "with virtually no sailing experience", whose sail around the world not only changed their lives but the lives of countless others. Fascinating and inspirational reading!!!
I love to read sailing stories about ordinary people who accomplish extraordinary things. Possibly the best circumnavigation novel I have ever read - and I have read many! - is "The Voyage of the Northern Magic" by Diane Stuemer - the story of an ordinary family of 5 "with virtually no sailing experience", whose sail around the world not only changed their lives but the lives of countless others. Fascinating and inspirational reading!!!
Slocum to Hill, & Everything in Between!
I've read so many Sea Stories I can't even tell you my favorite authors! We could start with Annie Hill. Her description of the Retired Doctor who lost his wife, cruising the French Canals, following the seasons, living such an abundant life on a small income, is one of my favorites. If all live-aboards on sailboats were as proud of their boats, we wouldn't have the "Right-Guards" of Southwinds to contend with. Another favorite: Anything by Peter Tangvald. I can't help but wonder what became of his son. Lisa Copeland and her tales of travelling with three small, growing sons The Lynn and Larry Pardey series has enough for those who like the How-To's as well as the sailing Eric and Susan Hiscock, Joshua Slocum, and every author in between who ever wrote a real-life story of their cruise is game for me. In fact, I checked out a good one, Sails Far Away, by Robert Carter, from my local library, just this past week. Had a lot about my dream destination: the canals of France and the inland waterways of Europe. Intend to do that trip in the near future! PS How do we get to the discussion board? I'd like to see what others have written!
I've read so many Sea Stories I can't even tell you my favorite authors! We could start with Annie Hill. Her description of the Retired Doctor who lost his wife, cruising the French Canals, following the seasons, living such an abundant life on a small income, is one of my favorites. If all live-aboards on sailboats were as proud of their boats, we wouldn't have the "Right-Guards" of Southwinds to contend with. Another favorite: Anything by Peter Tangvald. I can't help but wonder what became of his son. Lisa Copeland and her tales of travelling with three small, growing sons The Lynn and Larry Pardey series has enough for those who like the How-To's as well as the sailing Eric and Susan Hiscock, Joshua Slocum, and every author in between who ever wrote a real-life story of their cruise is game for me. In fact, I checked out a good one, Sails Far Away, by Robert Carter, from my local library, just this past week. Had a lot about my dream destination: the canals of France and the inland waterways of Europe. Intend to do that trip in the near future! PS How do we get to the discussion board? I'd like to see what others have written!
I love reading about other sailing adventures
I love reading and have a small library aboard. My son thinks it adds too much weight but I'd throw out an extra sail before I throw out my books! Don't foget "The Sand Pebbles" and anything by Tristan Jones!
I love reading and have a small library aboard. My son thinks it adds too much weight but I'd throw out an extra sail before I throw out my books! Don't foget "The Sand Pebbles" and anything by Tristan Jones!
William Buckley
I was turned on to William Buckley by a friend who had given me a few books to digest during a two week cruise in the North Channel, Ontario. He has several books that recount his adventures under sail. If you like his journalistic style, you'll enjoy his books.
I was turned on to William Buckley by a friend who had given me a few books to digest during a two week cruise in the North Channel, Ontario. He has several books that recount his adventures under sail. If you like his journalistic style, you'll enjoy his books.
Land at sea - Sea while ashore
At sea, or really any time aboard, I much prefer to read books concerned with the land. It could be Gone With The Wind, or Alan Watts, but certainly no sea tales. However, once ashore I would more likely read Conrad, Herreshoff, or Carleton Mitchell. Maybe the grass is always greener? <g> stephen
At sea, or really any time aboard, I much prefer to read books concerned with the land. It could be Gone With The Wind, or Alan Watts, but certainly no sea tales. However, once ashore I would more likely read Conrad, Herreshoff, or Carleton Mitchell. Maybe the grass is always greener? <g> stephen
Attachments
Mostly non fiction
I've read Conrad, Heyerdahl, Shackleton, Payson, Slocum, Roth, the LeHardy's, Ladd, Watterson, Jason, Aebi and Cantrell. Any true adventure that puts the salt spray in the brain and rocks the room with each passing wave. I'm an arm chair circumnavigator and adventurer. My book case over flowth.
I've read Conrad, Heyerdahl, Shackleton, Payson, Slocum, Roth, the LeHardy's, Ladd, Watterson, Jason, Aebi and Cantrell. Any true adventure that puts the salt spray in the brain and rocks the room with each passing wave. I'm an arm chair circumnavigator and adventurer. My book case over flowth.
Don't need fiction
Why would you read fiction when there are so many real stories of adventure, fun and sheer terror out there? God knows I could write my own book; I'm sure all of us could.
Why would you read fiction when there are so many real stories of adventure, fun and sheer terror out there? God knows I could write my own book; I'm sure all of us could.
I love all nautical literature
The Aubrey Maturin series is an old favorite, along with Horatio Hornblower. My father got me started on Hornblower when I was a wee pup and I still love it. Dana's "2 Years Before the Mast" made me want to be a sailor. Melville's works and "Treasure Island" are old favorites that I still re-read every now and then. I also like well written modern sailing literature - "A Voyage for Madmen" was fantastic. "Blue Latitudes" by Tony Horwitz is an excellent account of Capt. Cook's travels as told by a modern adventurer.
The Aubrey Maturin series is an old favorite, along with Horatio Hornblower. My father got me started on Hornblower when I was a wee pup and I still love it. Dana's "2 Years Before the Mast" made me want to be a sailor. Melville's works and "Treasure Island" are old favorites that I still re-read every now and then. I also like well written modern sailing literature - "A Voyage for Madmen" was fantastic. "Blue Latitudes" by Tony Horwitz is an excellent account of Capt. Cook's travels as told by a modern adventurer.
Sailing Authors
Paul Garrison wrote "Buried at Sea". Two men are in a sailboat heading for Rio, their destination gets changed to Africa and points beyond when they find people are chasing them. Very good book so far, I am half way through it.
Paul Garrison wrote "Buried at Sea". Two men are in a sailboat heading for Rio, their destination gets changed to Africa and points beyond when they find people are chasing them. Very good book so far, I am half way through it.
reading sets the hook in deeper
Reading about sailing for me only fuels the fire. I know why I like to sail, and why I do it almost every day, but when I get to read about it, put in words that I can't even conjure up, it adds a certain poetic beauty to sailing. A book that I highly reccommend is 'First You Have to Row a Little Boat'. Very nicely written with great sattires.
Reading about sailing for me only fuels the fire. I know why I like to sail, and why I do it almost every day, but when I get to read about it, put in words that I can't even conjure up, it adds a certain poetic beauty to sailing. A book that I highly reccommend is 'First You Have to Row a Little Boat'. Very nicely written with great sattires.
Sea Stories
I enjoy historical fiction, mixed together with a little mystery and sea stories. I read the book 'The Perfect Storm' while on vacation in Northern Lake Huron a couple of years ago...the book was far better than the movie could ever hope to be.
I enjoy historical fiction, mixed together with a little mystery and sea stories. I read the book 'The Perfect Storm' while on vacation in Northern Lake Huron a couple of years ago...the book was far better than the movie could ever hope to be.
My Old Man and the Sea
I really liked reading this book about a true story of a father and son leaving LI Sound and taking a round a trip around Cape Horn together in a tiny 25 foot sailboat built by themselves. I think most people would really like this book, non sailors alike. Lots of good sailing stories and reminisence of father sailing with his own father before WWII. Really a great book, I rarely read novels, but I couldn't put this one down.
I really liked reading this book about a true story of a father and son leaving LI Sound and taking a round a trip around Cape Horn together in a tiny 25 foot sailboat built by themselves. I think most people would really like this book, non sailors alike. Lots of good sailing stories and reminisence of father sailing with his own father before WWII. Really a great book, I rarely read novels, but I couldn't put this one down.
Vendee Globe
My favorite nonfiction is Godforsaken Sea by Derek Lundy about Vendee Globe. The rescue of Dinelli by Goss is a book within a book. My favorite fiction is The Sea Wolf by Jack London. I still have nightmares about waking up and being crew on Wolf Larsen's vessel.
My favorite nonfiction is Godforsaken Sea by Derek Lundy about Vendee Globe. The rescue of Dinelli by Goss is a book within a book. My favorite fiction is The Sea Wolf by Jack London. I still have nightmares about waking up and being crew on Wolf Larsen's vessel.
Cruising to Alaska
Passage to Juneau, by Jonathan Raban is an outstanding book about a solo cruise, history and philosophy. Highly recommended.
Passage to Juneau, by Jonathan Raban is an outstanding book about a solo cruise, history and philosophy. Highly recommended.
Fiction and Non-Fiction
I like both fiction and non-fiction. One thing that was missing from the quiz was contemporary fiction. I particularly like the sailing/mystery novels of Bernard Cornwell, who also wrote the Sharpe series of books that you might recall from Masterpiece Theater. If you haven't read them, check them out.
I like both fiction and non-fiction. One thing that was missing from the quiz was contemporary fiction. I particularly like the sailing/mystery novels of Bernard Cornwell, who also wrote the Sharpe series of books that you might recall from Masterpiece Theater. If you haven't read them, check them out.
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