Winter Reading

[ronkberg]

Here is how I am filling the winter in Maine.

I read " A Speck on the Sea" and it was okay.....then picked up John Vigor's "Small Boat to Freedom" and I could not put it down. This is a great read and history lesson, a subject I hated in school, but brings some reality to blue water sailing in a small boat. I now have John's "The Seaworthy Offshore Sailboat" that will fill some more of my winter mornings. I am also looking at other books that John recommended, so that I can keep the salt running hot in my body as I await spring.

Any other good reading that others can recommend?

Ron

PS.....nice slide show of the winter meeting by Cathy.....:>)

[Steve Laume]

I recently read, "Over the edge of the world" by Laurence Bergreen. It is about Magellan's circumnavigation. If you remember your history Magellan never made it. The first man ever to circumnavigate was most likely Magellan's slave. He had been captured in the Philippians and was transported West where he eventually wound up in Portugal. Magellan then took him back to his home by way of the straight and the Pacific. Amazing story, spices were worth fortunes and the world was a great unknown. Magellan thought the Pacific was just going to be a small bay. He pretty well figured it out about 6000 miles later. These were very courageous men. "Ten hours till dawn" was more exciting but no less tragic nor the men less courageous, Steve.

[George Shaunfield]

Like you, I just finished reading "Small Boat to Freedom" by John Vigor a few days ago and was thinking I should post a message about such an excellent story. I liked the fact that John let us in on his thoughts and emotions.

Also, I recently unpacked some books that I bought years ago and reread "Wandering Under Sail" by Eric Hiscock. This book chronicles the beginning of his sailing experience. His first boat (Wanderer) was a day-sailer. The second (Wanderer II) was a 4-ton 25 foot cutter (with no engine). He gained skill and experience by spending time on the water. If you and I really want to learn seamanship and sailing, we will learn it far more quickly by sailing without using our engine. [I am sure this recommendation will be well received.]

George

[Len]

A Pirate of Exquisite Mind by D and M Preston(Biography of William Dampier-pirate, botanist, circumnaigator,oceanographer,rescuer of shelkirk,etc.etc.)

Demon of the Waters by G.Gibson (mutiny on the whaler Globe)

A Voyage for Madmen By Peter Nichols (THE Golden Globe Race

[Carter Brey]

I now have John's "The Seaworthy Offshore Sailboat" that will fill some more of my winter mornings.

It's funny that you should mention that. Here I am languishing in Laramie, Wyoming, 1000 miles from the nearest salt water, and that is precisely the book I brought with me for bedtime reading.

John is not only a wise and experienced sailor, he is a convivial companion in print whom I often take with me on lonely trips.

Carter

[tartansailor]

"Heavy Weather Sailing" by K. Adlard Coles. It is in its 3rd edition and 8th printing. A white knuckle read.

"Racing With Cornelius Shields" All about racing dinghies, real close to my heart.

"Sail Power" Wally Ross. It came out in 1977 and I must have read it at least 6 or 8 times since.

I know I'll never get there, but "A Yachtsman's Guide to the Windward Islands" by Julius Wilensky makes me wish I could.

Of course there is always Dutton and Bowditch, but I am sure that every serious sailor on this board has already mastered those.

Dick

[Neil Gordon]

Of course there is always Dutton and Bowditch, but I am sure that every serious sailor on this board has already mastered those.

I'm thinking that even Bowditch couldn't master Bowditch.

Good winter "reading" for me is pulling out the technical texts, as you mention, along with charts and rules and dividers. It's a good chance to work on those skills that don't require wind and water.

[Warren Kaplan]

I read many seafaring books during the winter also. However, when the snow is piling up outside and looking out the window makes me feel that there is no end to the darkness in winter's long tunnel, I need to "see the light" for a quick fix. I have many books of marine photography. Some of them 30 years old and in black and white. The pefect medium for photographing some of the legendary sailing vessels of our maritime past. I've looked through these books more than a 100 times over the years and I never get tired of them. I'll list one or two, although I'm sure they're out of print.

The Marine Photography of Peter Barlow 1973. Wonderful pictures not only of sailboats, but some powerboats, lighthouses, and tough old work boats. All black and white.

Yachting, A Pictorial History by Peter Heaton, 1972
Starts with the early yacht clubs and boats from the early 1800s. Drawings and then photographs of great old boats. Then right up to the 1970s. Lots of written commentary too.

The Spirit Of Sailing by Michael Kahn, 2004. My kids got me this one for a gift. Wonderful artistic pictures of sailboats done in a sepia tone. You just want to gaze at each one.

I've got others but I don't feel like climbing the ladder up to the top of my wall bookcase to get them, and these old eyes can't make them out from the floor.

Nothing chases away the winter blues like pictures of great sailboats. Then your mind can take you to them any way you like

[Sailing Soldier]

"Sailing Around the World Alone" by Johua Slocum. I never get tired of reading it.

"Airborne" by William F. Buckley is a close second!

[Dick Barthel]

I agree that “Small Boat to Freedom” by our own John V is a great read for many different reasons. I am astounded by the courage of wife and son to agree to such an adventure with such limited sailing experience.

My suggestions are:

Sailpower – Trim and Techniques for Cruising Sailors by Peter Nielsen [CR2004]

17 beautifully illustrated chapters on every conceivable topic. Sort of a modern version of Ross’ classic. I’d say excellent for Newbie to Mid-level sailor. So far it is the clearest explanation I’ve come across of this boundless topic.

Sailing Small – Inspiration and Instruction for the Pocket Cruiser [CR2004]

A collection of articles by sailors of small craft (like Flicka, Sanderlings, etc.) that have cruised extensively. A careful reading rewards with lots of ideas: for example – holding in washboards when offshore or in nasty stuff. You install eye pads on the inside of each, run a line through and hold in place with a cam cleat installed on the underside frame of the companionway. Nice and simple. What the book is doing for me is giving more confidence to venture farther in Dream Weaver.

I like Warren’s post. It reminds us that beauty is an important part of sailing.

My 2 cents.

Dick

P.S. Speaking of beauty - I also very much like Mr. Thompson’s Paintings!

[pete faga]

Wind from the carolinas by Robert Wilder . Written in the 60's a great story of a loyalist during the 1700's that moves to the Exuma's and restarts his Carolina plantation

[fenixrises]

Hi all,

Bernard Moitessier

First Voyage of Josuha also titled Cape Horn, The Logical Route

The Long Way

Not technical journals but written with the soul of a poet.

I had the good fortune to meet him in the early 80's in southern California.

And the inimitable Tristan Jones. What a story teller he was.
I have read many of his books and can recommend them all.
Polar bears anyone?

Take care,
Fred B.

[John Danicic]

To all. my humble suggestions

The Vigor book was a good read, I recommend it. The technical sailing books are always a good stand-by for cold evening dreams, but may I suggest a few books that run in another direction.

"Berserk" by David Mercy - A well written tale of sailing to Antarctica in a 27 foot fiberglass boat on the cheep. You'll appreciate the fire you are sitting in front of after reading this one.

"The Boat Who Wouldn't Float" by Farley Mowat - Very funny. Thank God for the seamless hulls and reliable engines of Cape Dorys.

And then there is the Eric Newby book, "The Last Grain Race". Another well written, true story of a young dreamer shipping before the mast in 1938 on a Finnish barque in what turned out to be the last commercial trip from Europe to Australia around the horn in a square rigged, grain freighter.

Sail on.


John Danicic
CD 36 - Mariah - #124
Lake Superior

[joeeb]

I would like to recommend DESCENT by Brad Matsen
which looks at the creation of the Bathsphere in the late 20's
and the two men who made the first dive into the Abyss.
Sailboats are mentioned in passing . This book is the kind you wind up reading in one sitting.Sparkman and Stevens designed the vessel.
The other author deals with a man I did a video interview with several years ago who teaches at the University of Maine, Orono.
I am working on a video project that looks at the possible psychological evolution of the human species.
Kyriacos Markides research has taken him into the presence of
Saints and Mystics. His books detail that journey.
I would recommend starting with his books MOUNTAIN OF SILENCE
and RIDING WITH THE LION
Here is an excerpt from his webpage.

Kyriacos' areas of interest in teaching and research are: sociology of religion, sociological theory, sociology of mental illness and sociology of violence and international terrorism. Kyriacos' research has ranged from projects related to political sociology and nationalist movements
to the sociology of religion, non-medical healing and Christian mysticism. For the last twenty years he has
been exploring the lives and teachings of Christian mystics, healers, and miracle workers and monastics around the world. In this area he has written several important books published in English and in eight other languages.
The Mountain of Silence: A Search for Orthodox Spirituality (ISBN 0-385-50091-2)
(Doubleday/Random House, September 2001) Kyriacos continues his exploration of Christian mysticism through his participant observation work with charismatic monks, hermits and celebrated living saints of Eastern Christianity.

Praise for Kyriacos C. Markides' Books



Ever Since his childhood, Kyriacos C. Markides has heard mysterious rumours about the 'Magus of Strovolos', Cyprus's ' leading specialist of the netherworld'.
Yet it was only when he revisited his native island as an adult that he learned to appreciate the full powers and wisdom of a gentle and humorous grandfather who was also a master healer and spiritual teacher. In this enthralling book he combines the skepticism of a trained sociologist with the passion of a disciple to explore the innerworld and beliefs of a truly remarkable man. From his exorcism of a Jewish girl haunted by Nazi ghosts to the theory of reincarnation, the Magus reveals again and again the value of a personal philosophy that draws on many sources but is firmly based on a belief in 'Holyspirit'. For anyone who suspects that there are vast domains beyond the ken of Western materialism and science, his miracle cures and insights will prove a revelation.

'This is a really marvelous book. I certainly think it is one of the most extraordinary accounts of a "magical" personality since Ospensky's account of Gurdjieff'
-Colin Wilson

'Markides succeeds where Carlos Casteneda came up short'
-Antonio T. deNicolas, Professor of Philosophy, SUNY, Stonybrook

[Domenic]

The year China discovered America. By Galvin Menzies. It's a great book.