I just finished reading the best book today and when I did, I had tears in my eyes, it was just that good. The book is "Sailing Alone Around The World" by Joshua Slocum. In the year of 1895, at the age of 51, Joshua Slocum left Boston and sailed around the world in a 36 foot sloop, Spray, that he had rebuilt himself. It took him three years to complete this journey, a distance of 46,000 miles and he did this all alone. The book was published in 1900 and has never been out of print since that time. And for good reason! Casually but carefully and with an understatement that is astonishing, Joshua Slocum writes of all that he experienced on his journey around the world. At times, you will laugh at his experiences (one of the best gifts given to him on the journey was carpet tacks, which was worth more than gold ...you will have to read the book to find out why that is so!) and other times you will be amazed at the stories of pirates, fierce storms, coral reefs, and the treacherous passage through the Straits of Magellan! How refreshing to read such a straightforward and honest account of an extraordinary journey. With all his adventures and all the people that he meets it seems like fiction, almost like the movie "Forest Gump", and yet, this story is all true!
I know nothing about sailing or anything about the sea, but I found his story to be absolutely fascinating. From the very first page, I was completely smitten with the charm of the writing. In describing Nova Scotia, the land of his birth, to the fond description of his father, Joshua Slocum was already someone I knew I would like, and I hadn't even set foot on the Spray yet! There is so much to take away from this book, and I don't mean just about how to sail a boat. There is sound good counsel that we in this computer age of the 21st century should learn from him...
"Keep on the windward side and take the combers end on".
"Even while the storm raged at its worst, my ship was wholesome and noble."
"To succeed, however, in anything at all, one should go understandingly about his work and be prepared for every emergency."
There is so much to enjoy in this book and perhaps I had tears in my eyes after I read this book not just because my journey around the world was over, but because I knew that Captain Joshua Slocum would have some serious legal problems ahead for him (and I seriously doubt that he was guilty of what he was accused of) and also, that he would sail again but would disappear at sea in 1909.
The great joy about reading: I can sail on the Spray again and again with Captain Slocum, as often as I choose to re-read this book. And you know I will!
And why is it that "Moby Dick" is given for students to read in high school and not "Sailing Alone Around The World"? I just don't understand it...
Let me leave you with the final words from Captain Joshua Slocum...
"And now, without having wearied my friends, I hope, with detailed scientific accounts, theories or deductions, I will only say that I have endeavored to tell just the story of the adventure itself. This, in my own poor way, having been done, I now moor ship, weather- bitt cables, and leave the sloop, Spray, for the present, safe in port."
It sounds AWESOME and I hope I can read it in the near future ~ sounds like my kind of book!
ReplyDeleteDear Audrey,
DeletePlease let me know if you ever do read it. The style of writing is so much to my liking, it is as if the book was written just for me!
Thank you for this excellent review, I am going to look it up on Amazon and see if I can find it for my Kindle.
ReplyDeleteYou say that he disappeard while on another sailing trip; isn't that just the kind of end he would have wanted for himself, you think?
Dear Meike,
DeleteI think that I read that you can get it on those kind of readers for free but the only thing is, you won't see the wonderful illustrations! :-)
He truly loved being at sea. Perhaps that is how he would have liked it.
You have me intrigued. I will add it to my list of books to read.
ReplyDeleteDear Tracey,
DeleteNo matter how far it might be in the future, please tell me if you ever read this book, I truly loved reading it.
Maybe Captain Slocum found a beautiful island to retire on! :-) I must find this book and read it.
ReplyDeleteThat is a wonderful thought! I hope so much you will like it as much as I do.
DeleteThe story sounds quite remarkable, Kay. I will have to look it up. I am amazed at the adventurous life some people have led.
ReplyDeleteI could have had so many quotes from it, it is just that memorable. When he turns around on his boat and sees the large moon rising over the water...can you imagine what a lovely sight that would have been? The flying fish and porpoises that kept him company, and the way that he describes them! What a writer!
DeleteThanks for the recommendation; i'm never really at loose ends for reading material, but i will work this one in soon.
ReplyDeleteOh, I wish, I wish that I could tell everyone in the world about this book. It would be like giving a big present to the world!
DeleteSounds like a wonderful tale, Kay...I shall definitely look for this one at the library. I think this is a book my husband would like, as well. If nothing else, I really must find out why carpet tacks would be so valuable! :-)
ReplyDeleteYes! I never think of books as being for either men or women. I think they should be for everyone! Many people tell me that the books that I read would not interest them. I assure you that I come from a long line of farmers and know nothing of the sea, nothing at all.
DeleteThis old sea dog is interested. I shall try to find this book.
ReplyDeletePlease tell me if you read it! I think you will really like it. It is so witty and straightforward, very much like you!
DeleteWe have dear friends who are huge fans of Patrick O'Brian's books. I am looking forward to telling them about this book; I am sure they will enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteLove the header.
I think they would love it! But guess what, anyone would love this book, honestly, even those who know about sailing, like me!
DeleteAnd the header photo was taken at sunset over Arabia Mountain. Richard took it, of course! So glad you like it! :-)
DeleteI just have to tell you that my son-in-law wrote "The Annotated Sailing Around the World Alone" which was published a few years ago. He has also just finished The Annotated Two Years Before the Mast by Richard Dana. The Sailing Alone was taken up by Annapolis for one of its classes. So maybe you could look for Rod Scher's book too!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for telling me that! Of course, I will check it out. I truly appreciate this comment, and hope that others will see it too! :-)
DeleteWhat a great book review, Kay!! That is one I'm going to put on my reading list. I love accounts like that from people who have done some remarkable things. I remember reading The Perfect Storm and having to remind myself that it wasn't fiction. I hope you are doing well!! xoxo Silke
ReplyDeleteThank you, Silke! I hope you get a chance to read it.
DeleteI also love books about people who do remarkable things.
Hope you will enjoy the most perfect Autumn, we deserve one after our hot summer, yes? :-)
Yes, we do deserve a good Autumn! You are probably already getting the cooler temperatures and we are looking forward to finally cooling down on Monday! I cannot wait!! I hope you are doing well!! Hugs, Silke
DeleteI am always better for seeing your smiling face and a comment here from you! xx
DeleteOh, I'm looking for a book to read. Thanks! This wounds wonderful.
ReplyDeleteOh, good! Sue, I am hoping so much that you will love it as much as I do!
DeleteThat sounds like a good book for my husband and I to read together. Only problem is he might get ideas. That is something he has always dreamed of. It reminded me of a book I read many years ago by a guy who walked across America. From Connecticut to Oregon. It was really good.
ReplyDeleteHey Connie!
DeleteThe funny thing you can say after reading this book, is if your husband wants to sail around the world, then he could do it all alone! :-)
Hope you both LOVE this book! The writing is simply something that is just so my style, simple and to the point and not given to "navel-gazing" as the style is these days.
I am so not a sailor. I can't think of any occupation which would be more terrible for me. I would feel trapped, not free. I would feel claustrophobic. Makes me shudder to think of.
ReplyDeleteSo happy you read the book though. Here is Les' post about it:
http://lesleysbooknook.blogspot.com/2009/06/barnes-noble-store-2939-bestseller.html
SO exciting!!
Goodness, I clicked on reply but my hand moved, and I almost deleted your comment. What a goofus I can be!
DeleteNan, thank you so much for your comment! I am not able to click on to that link, but I should be able to find it on her blog, so I thank you again!
You can't click because it isn't clickable. I haven't figured out how to do that. Just copy and paste, the old fashioned way. :<)))
DeleteThanks, Nan, I did find her post, but I am not sure if Les has read the book! Sometimes folks don't like non-fiction as much as I do.
DeleteAnd thank you, as always, for your help and support! :-)