Good Books for the Winter

[John Stone]

Ok so it’s not really winter here in the West Indies like in New England...alas me hearties, spring is only a few months away.

I’m about two thirds of the way through “Six Frigates” by Ian W. Toll. History of the founding of the US Navy centered around the first six frigates. Lots of detail. Well researched. Very suspenseful with some tremendous sailing, seamanship, political intrigue, and close combat.

Highly recommended.

[tjr818]

I highly recommend Six Frigates, what an eye opener.

[csoule13]

I know it's a classic, but I just started moitessier's The Long Way. J'adore!

This past year I also blew threw Sextent, which I would highly recommend for nothing more than the literary device used to craft the story.

[Neil Gordon]

The Naval War of 1812: A Complete History, by Theodore Roosevelt

"Although only 23 years old at the time of publication, Theodore Roosevelt made his mark as a military scholar with this detailed analysis of naval combat between the United States and Great Britain from 1812–15. Engagingly written and comprehensively researched, The Naval War of 1812 exercised considerable influence on the formation of the modern American Navy and remains a cornerstone work in its field."

[Sea Hunt Video]

Another good read is "The Biggest Boat I Could Afford" by Lee Hughes who sailed is small boat along the East Coast of the U.S. Light, easy reading.

For those interested we have had bone chilling temps in South Florida. Last night in my neighborhood it went down to 51 degrees ( ) and today only got to 72 degrees. Next week is projected to be as cold. I am thinking of resupplying with wool blankets, wool socks and wool watch caps.

[MHBsailor]

"The Secret Life of Lobsters" by Trevor Corson about how the Maine lobster industry reluctantly but ultimately successfully partnered with the scientific research and regulatory communities to preserve the Maine lobster industry.

[Frenchy]

One of my favorite books that teased me into learning to sail is "Princess- New York" by Joe Richards. It's basically
about an artist's pre-WWII love affair with a Friendship Sloop. Here's a quote from it: “An old dream is a tough thing to kill. It can hang on. An old dream about an island is all but indestructible. . . . If you’ve got the dream, chances are you’ve got a boat.
It’s a sign of the malady. . . I’ve got Princess.”

The original book is out of print, I'm pretty sure.

[tjr818]

One of my favorite books that teased me into learning to sail is "Princess- New York" by Joe Richards. It's basically
about an artist's pre-WWII love affair with a Friendship Sloop. Here's a quote from it: “An old dream is a tough thing to kill. It can hang on. An old dream about an island is all but indestructible. . . . If you’ve got the dream, chances are you’ve got a boat.
It’s a sign of the malady. . . I’ve got Princess.”

The original book is out of print, I'm pretty sure.

It is available:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/12581 ... HWK55XCGG2

[Joe Myerson]

I agree on "Six Frigates." Lots to learn, including how complex and back-biting politics was at the beginning of the Republic.

[John Stone]

Lots to learn, including how complex and back-biting politics was at the beginning of the Republic.

Just like today. All ya have to do is spend time reading about the election of 1800 to understand there is nothing new when it comes to human behavior.

[s2sailorlis]

Coast of Summer by Anthony Bailey. He’s written a couple of sailing books. He’s a former writer for The New Yorker, spent his summers in Stonington, CT aboard him small yacht Lochinvar a 27 foot sloop trollling the waters from Cape Cod to Shelter Island. More travelogue than sailing adventure but great writing and gets you in the mood for summer...

[John Stone]

I suspect most of us have read Sterling Hayden’s masterful auto biography “Wanderer” published about 1960. It is certainly quoted a great deal, especially among the hard core cruisers. And if you have not read it...

Hayden is the epitome of a sailor with a wounded and sometimes tortured sailor soul. But he is a wonderfully observant and honest writer. Shockingly honest at times.

I recently acquired a copy of his 1976 novel “Voyage.” It’s a story of a hard driving square rigger skipper trying to get his ship, loaded with coal, and recalcitrant crew around Cape Horn in 1896. It is filled with a wide assortment of of characters and plenty of back stories to flesh them out. It’s very suspenseful and quite authentic. I would not recommend it if you are squeamish or turned off by swearing, or a bit of raunchy descriptive sex.

The reviews on the inside book cover are spectacular and the terrific prose proves them quite credible.

Posted below is a sample...for educational purposes—so the copywrite police won’t get too upset.

Obviously I highly recommend it for a winter read. And while you are at it, you might visit iTunes and check out Tom Russell’s great song “Sterling Hayden.” It’s been on my play list for years. Once you hear it you’ll know why. Here is a link to the song on YouTube you can listen to for free. https://youtu.be/8sMmJ2zSeVQ