Product Description

The definitive guide to the Laser.

The Complete Book of Laser Sailing is the most comprehensive book about successfully sailing and racing this popular and challenging high-performance dinghy. Dick Tillman tells you everything you need to know about the boat and how to set it up and sail it, including:

• Rigging and sailing the boat
• Trailering and cartopping
• Maintenance and storage
• Training and physical conditioning
• Upwind and offwind racing techniques
• Clothing and equipment
• Interviews with such champion racers as Hans Fogh, Ed Baird, Ed Adams, and Danielle Myrdal

Plus this updated and expanded edition gives you:

• The latest sail control and rig modifications
• Updated listings of major competition results
• New interviews with champion racers, including Olympian Mark Mendelblatt and Paige Railey on Radials

  "A fine-tuned guide to everything anyone could ever need or want to know about the Laser."—Sailing

  "This book will most certainly make you a better sailor and could help you become a champion."—Soundings

  "This book is a must."—The Little Ship ... Read more

  Customer Reviews (9)

  The complete *HISTORY* of laser sailing
  I enjoyed reading this book mainly because Bruce Kirby explains how he started designing and how the thing grew up. I found this alone is worth the price.
  On the other side the first edition of the book was published about 35 years ago, and most of the articles and the pictures seem to be left unchanged. I'd say almost the same about sailor's interviews.
  It would be a good book with an another title: the Complete History of Laser Sailing.
  If you're looking a way to improve your sailing technique, choose something else:RYA Laser Handbook or The Laser Campaign Manual

  Laser Sailing
  This is a great over all book about the boat and how to use it properly. The diagrams and information are written so that the average person can easily understand what the author is saying.

  There are better choices
  This book covers a lot of basics, but was not well-updated since its original publication.Too much irrelevant information on how to rig the old version of the Laser is included, and there are too many very dated interviews.Its hard to sort out whats new and pertinent and what's old and to be ignored.

  Great book!
  Excellent book, it covers all the aspects of the laser sailing, with a clear and in deep terms. One of the best parts are the interviews, that brings to me a wider vision through a lot points of view from many laser sailors.

  Laser Learner
  Great book to give a lot of detail and enthusiasm regarding laser sailing. Saves a lot of trial and error. Interviews with champion laser sailers are great. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (2)

A very interesting as well as moving account of the present role of zoos
I absolutely loved this book. I thought it would be just another collection of anecdotes but even if it includes indeed some of those it is a serious (yet not at all boring) and deeply-felt account of the role of zoos in conservation. If you're still in doubt as to whether it makes a difference or not to try and save all those species that are endangered or may soon be, this book will convince you as it has me. As Baba Dioum wisely put it "In the end we will conserve only what we love, we will love only what we understand and we will understand only what we are taught." And this book has definitely taught me a great deal.

An independent study offering in-depth analysis of modern zoology
Sailing With Noah: Stories From The World Of Zoos by Jeffrey P. Bonner (President and CEO of the Saint Louis Zoo) is an expansive and entertaining collection of true stories and informed ideals of what is to come for future generations of zoos and the animals they house. An independent study offering in-depth analysis of modern zoology, Sailing With Noah provides its readers the perspective of a thoroughly experienced and thoughtful zoo-master. Sailing With Noah is very highly recommended reading, ideal for non-specialist general readers with an interest in animals, environmental conservation, global biology, and zoology.
... Read more

Product Description
Multihull Cruising Fundamentals taps into the essence of multihull sailing and gives readers a clear and concise analysis of these largely unfamiliar boats. The book's eight chapters explore two distinctly different, yet similar types of boats. Chapters one through four provide the skills sailors need to get trailerable multihulls safely into the water, rigged and sailing. Larger, cruising catamarans and their unique sailing and handling needs are addressed in chapters five through eight.

The material in this book was developed by the American Sailing Association's Multihull Committee for use in classes throughout North America. Students will learn quickly and efficiently from Multihull Cruising Fundamentals "no nonsense," step-by-step format. The knowledge and skills found in this text will prepare sailors to more fully enjoy the most forward-looking boats on today's pleasure boat market. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Reasonable book for ASA 114 class
Book focuses on comparison between Monohulls and Multihulls and does not appear to be as well written as other ASA publications. I would have liked more coverage of Cruising Catamarans and less on trailable multihulls.

Text Book for Catamaran Class
I purchased this book as the required text for a two day catamaran class I am taking.It is well written and an easy read with some good tips and suggestions.It covers both trailerable size trimarans, catmarans and cruising sized Cats.As it's title says, it is a fundamentals book.

Multihull Cruising Fundamentals: The Official American Saili
Multihull Cruising Fundamentals is a nice book to get sailors familiar with the idiosyncracies of handling mid- to large size multihulls. CATAMARANS OFFSHORE,a new book by Gregor Tarjan, which will be published in 2004, will continue where Rick White has left off.

Too fundamental, better choices out there.
This book was a complete let down for me.A very shallow and thin book with not a lot of useful information in it.It is simply too watered down and should be renamed "beginers basics for learning to sail your folding trimaran" rather than trying to pretend it tackles the much deeper subjects of cruising.For someone looking to learn the basics I would suggest a better combination of reading Royce's Sailing Illustrated, and then take a look at The Cruising Multihull by Chris White.You will get a lot more useful information both on the beginner and advanced end from that combination than this very weak book gives.

Experienced multihull fan review
This book is intended for people who know very little about sailing, and even less about multihulls.

If you have sailing and multihull experience this book is not for you. ... Read more

Product Description
One of the funniest books ever published on its subject - SAILING, The New York Times bestseller, is back. And better than ever. A classic, SAILING is "...quite simply the funniest bookI have ever read" (William F. Buckley Jr.)

From AHOY - "The first in a series of four-letter words commonly exchanged by skippers as their boats approach each other" - to ZEPHYR -"A warm, pleasant breeze named after the mythical Greek god of wishful thinking, false hopes, and unreliable forecasts"- it brings new meaning to the things said at sea. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

Sailing-A sailor's dictionairy
It is obvious you do not read yopur emails, because I have written you several times telling you I have never received the book.I gave it extra time to arrive and I have since notified you again of the failure.I also requested a refund.What is the purpose of Amazon if it cannot fulfill what it promises?Please refund my purchase and try to keep me as a customer.

A Boat-load of Laughs
Beard and McKie's "Sailing" is a hilarious "dictionary" of sailing terms told in a way that pokes fun at almost all things nautical.

Sailing can be an expensive, difficult, and frustrating pastime, and this book pokes fun at all of the difficulties in its definitions of common nautical terms.Irreverent, witty, and sometimes too true, I sat around with friends reading definitions from this book and at times we were laughing so hard we couldn't go on.

William F. Buckley wasn't exaggerating when he said that this was the funniest book that he ever read and he quoted extensively from "Beard and McKie" in his sailing books.This book is a must-have for any sailor, and even non-sailors can appreciate much of the humor in this book.

Sailing put into perspective.
If you own a sail boat & love to sail, you need this book.Because people tend to take themselves way too serious...this book will put it all back into perspective.Everyone needs to laugh.(great little book - it fits anywhere.great gift for a sailor)

adaft, amuck and asludge
I got the book mail order: I was looking for a reference on sailing.
If you want to learn about sailing, not this book.
It is what can be only called upper class yacht social humor.
For a poor person related to an out-board motor mechanic,
this is just grindingly class oriented humor.
A book for indoctrinating rich peopleinto in jokes
that really aren't too funny?

Two different editions...
William F. Buckley, Jr. is credited with saying this is the funniest book he ever read.It IS hilarious, and a must for every sailor.Be aware, however, that there are two versions.The original edition was 8.5"x5.5".The current publication is a 4"x4" "pocketbook".In this newer edition, several things have been changed: the design and layout are different, and several definitions have been 'updated'.The content is essentially the same, but if you're a purist, check private sellers or eBay for a used original. ... Read more

Product Description
For all sailors—novices and experienced racersalike—the acclaimed primer on sailing, cruising, and racing.Stephen Colgate, the founder and president of the Offshore Sailing School, removes the mystery of sailing and reduces the techniques to basic, simple principles. He instructs the reader on all matters from how sails work under various conditions to night sailing and piloting, tactical problems and heavy-weather racing, emergencies, safety, boat control, and all other fundamentals. This edition contains the latest technological advances in equipment, and the newest rules, regulations, and strategies that are critical to safe and pleasurable time on the water. The result is a superior resource that is an absolute must for all sailors.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Used Book-Sailing and Racing
This was the first time I bought a used book. It worked out very well because I originally took out the book from the local public library and now I have a reference copy of my own. The condition was advertised as good and the book had some notes in the margins but provides me with the information I need and expected. I will use this again and saves some cash.

Excellent, comprehensive coverage of topics
This is one of the best books on general sailing that I have ever read. It comes in second only to 'Sailing For Dummies' and that is just by a very slim margin. I have both books in my sailing library and between them, Ihave more than enough reference material to cover almost any sailingsituation. This book should satisfy both beginning and experienced sailorsalike. Good job... ... Read more

Product Description

Gary Jobson shares his expertisefor a winning performancein sailboat racing

“The complete guide to racingat its highest level.”

—Paul Cayard, five-time America’s Cupveteran and six-time world champion

“A must-read for those whoaspire to win sailboat racesat any level.”

—Tom Whidden, CEO of North MarineGroup, three-time America’s Cup winner

In the pages of Gary Jobson’s ChampionshipSailing, the author shares more than 30 yearsof racing and sailing expertise at the highestlevels of competition, covering every aspectof racing in one-design or handicap fleetsfrom high-performance dinghies to big keelboats.Readers will learn Jobson’s secrets for:

• Organizing a crew
• Reading the wind
• Simplifying sail trim and rig tuning
• Improving boat speed
• Winning starts and leapfrogging boats atthe finish
• Regaining lost ground
• And much more

Customer Reviews (7)

Worst sailing book ever
Firstly, I greatly respect the personal and professional achievements of the author. I am at best a mediocre racer. I have been sailing for more than 30 years and have read everything I can get my hands on re the sport. I read every one of these multiple times and always got something new from them.

This book is worthless. Organization is random. Sidebars are mostly irrelevant digressions and the photos with captions have nothing to do with the text. I don't think I learned a single thing from this book except that I should "will" my boat to go faster. Sorry, I also learned that sitting on the rail is a great opportunity to discuss philosophy, family problems or just Zen out.

The advice from this book can be summed up by " to win, sail fast and make few mistakes"I will give this book to anyone who pays shipping.

Buy the Tactics and Trim duo by Gladstone. Infinitely more readable and packed with information on every page.

One of the best I've read
I've been racing sailboats off and on for about 30 years and read numerous books.This is the best compilation of wisdom I have read. There is a pearl in almost every paragraph.It is not for the novice, however, because you often need some background to understand the pearls.It covers virtually every aspect of getting around the race course and doing well.I race a J105 amd am buying one of these for each member of my crew.It is short enough that you don't have to spend a lot of time reading it and has enough information that the entire crew can have it as a reference.Everyone can be on the same page, so to speak.

Outstanding book from beginner to expert in regatta
I praticed sailing since several years and regatta since 1 year.

This book is an outstanding to everybody wanting to improve his or her perrformance on regatta. Gary wrote about all tips he learnt during his career and give you advice on everything. With this book you will learn all the basis to really improve yourself in wind lecture, tactics, start, finish, performance and team management.

This book may be read from beginner to expert. But the best target audience is intermediate or advanced sailors who wants to improve their performance.

For someone you haven't take lessons in regatta and learn by experience, this book will be a great help.

For an expert who already knows about performance and wind lecture,he/she can make huge progress on tactics and team management. Moreover, one can refer to the book whenever one has a problem to solve.

I live in France where there is a long tradition of regatta and famous sailors. In my country, you can find outsanding books in sailing technics, wheather forecast, boat architecture, cruising, small boat regatta, but I haven't found a good regatta book for keel boats. Think about it.

Packed with useful information
I'm new to sailboat racing, having finished my first season of racing on my new boat last year. And I didn't do nearly as well as I should have given my boat.I immediately identified from every chapter things I was doing wrong, at the starts, trimming sails, communication on the boat, and in how I was organizing the crew. I marked specific pages with sticky notes that I especially wanted to refer back to and by the time I was done with the book I must have marked 40 pages.

The book has tons of useful technical information on starts, sail trim, etc. written in a way that is easy to understand. The shaded summaries at the end of many of the sections is helpful as well. But Gary Jobson also goes into how important attitude and practice are to successful sailboat racing. This book could just as easily be an effective business management book (but much more fun to read).

I can't wait to try to apply what I've learned from this book to the upcoming racing season.

Very nice
A very instructive reading for those who looks for a sail teacher who is a natural leader and a national hero, I liked very much. ... Read more

Product Description
In the spirit of The Perfect Storm and Shadow Divers, Sailing into the Abyss presents a minute-by-minute account of the sinking of the Merchant Marine vessel the SS Badger State, a cargo ship loaded with bombs being sent to support US troops in Vietnam. A true story that rivals that of any fiction thriller, Sailing into the Abyss uses eyewitness accounts, official documents and rarely seen photos to relate what would become the deadliest sea disaster of the Vietnam War Sailing into the Abyss compellingly documents a tragedy while celebrating the triumph of the human spirit in the face of adversity. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (24)

The Old Man and the..Bombs
The Old Man (Captain Charles Wilson)..this is how the crew was calling him. His ship was not hauling a fish marlin, but explosives and bombs. Extraordinary book deserving to be the winner of the 2006 US Maritime Literature by all means. So much I have learned about life and struggle of seamen on board of modern mid XX century merchant cargo ships!
Drama and tragedy of "Badger State" and his heroic crew has been vividly depicted. On top of main saga, extremely interesting, numerous historical marine events from war and peace times of last two centuries make the reading totally engrossing.

My husband's brother
One of the hero's of this book was my brother-in-law Calvin Smith.I only knew that he died trying to save others.I am so happy to at last find a book with the whole story in it.I have a few pictures of him for the
family tree, but now I will also have this book to pass down.Calvin (also called Todd and Rae)had no children.

Thoroughly Enjoyable
I have read lots of Nautical fiction and non-fiction over the last 10 years. Some of the books are easier to get through than others just as you might imagine.This one had me hooked from the first page and I had a hard time putting it down.You just can't ask for more. I recomend you add this book to your reading list.

Non-fiction Adventure with History Lesson
I have not recently read Vietnam-era events, so this book was an enlightening visit to that unfortunate war, and also a refresher on the history and workings of the US merchant marine.At one time I studied World War II in college, an era familiar to me from childhood.One of our neighbors served in the merchant marine, and I have always been fascinated by the Outer Bankers of North Carolina (our graveyard of the Atlantic), and have read of the heroism of the lifesaving crews and visited the historic sites dedicated to them.

Benedetto's prose is vivid; one can almost feel the deck shift, the cold spray, and taste the salt of it while reading.He gives an account, as complete as possible, on the actions and fate of each of the men aboard, even following their lives beyond the Badger State's final voyage.This is a book hard to put down once begun.

Better than the Titantic tale
Sailing into the Abyss, is a true story of a merchant ship encountering very foul wheather while ferrying ammunition to Vietnam. Unlike the Titanic story which esentially is one catastrophe(e.g. iceberg hits ship) event, the crew of the S.S. Badger State, encounters many trials. Through the author, the readers gets "into the head" of the captain as decisions are made and options exhausted.

The author speaks with authority.He is a maritime lawyer, and twenty-six year veteran of the Coast Guard.However, he is not a professional author.There are a few awkward transitions from telling the story of Badger State and providing some background of the Merchant Marine.

Sailing into the Abyss, reminds me of the true of story of Capt. Schakelton and the Endurance,If you enjoy reading about that true tale you very likely will enjoy Sailing into Abyss. If you are not familar with that story, but enjoy reading something different in military/naval history, then this is book for you.Even if you a not a history buff, the human drama makes a compelling a true tale.

... Read more

Product Description
Looking for a new adventure, Patricia Vellinga and her husband buy a boat-a big boat that turns out to be more a yacht kit than a yacht.Their simple plan is to cruise Europe and the Mediterranean for one year.Their journey, however, is far from routine.As Pat and Ray motor through the canals of Holland, Belgium, and France, then sail to Italy, Greece, Turkey, and Spain, they find beauty and danger, towering locks, salty characters, peaceful anchorages, treacherous winds-and even a forest fire.Forced at gunpoint to cast off into the raging Saône River, they struggle to safety.Even so, they get hooked on a cruising lifestyle that takes them well beyond their one-year plan. Sailing There, Cruising Across Europe and the Mediterranean is a rich and entertaining tale of a couple's lively voyage with the wind through ancient ports and history. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

What a delightful read!
What fun!I don't know alot about sailing but I was intrigued by the title. I took this book to read on my vacation and it was perfect.Pat, the author, invites you aboard and you really feel like you're there - and you don't need Dramamine to enjoy the ride!

I Was With You


I was with you all the way from the start of the trip to when you put the boat away at the end.I went thru the heavy seas. Got soaked from crashing waves.I suffered the severe winds you were caught in,even when you should have stayed in the harbor.

I even tasted all the wonderful food except I did get tired of the cucumber, tomatoe and olive salads with oil.I would have had to have had a stash of Best Foods Mayonaise.What an adventurous couple!I envy you.

Shirley Hansen

Wish I Were There
What a TRIP in every sense of the word!From Holland to Turkey to Gibraltar I sail vicariously with the author and her husband as they cruise aboard their 41-foot yacht in calm and stormy seas.After negotiating the locks and barges of the inland waterways they stop at congested to secluded ports along the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas in a thrilling two-year-long adventure.The account is rendered in exciting detail with wit and humor and leaves this reader anxious for more tales of the Vellinga's years afloat

A Great Adventure
If you're planning a boating trip via canals and sea, this is a must read. You will glean many helpful tips and suggestions from their experiences. It is so descriptive that you feel you've been on a great trip with friends. Also a good read for the seasick prone landlubber looking for adventure.

Thoroughly entertaining!
Even though I am not an avid sailor, I was caught up in the adventures and found them thoroughly entertaining. Patricia has a wonderful way of relating the many stories so that the reader feels they are sharing the experiences.There was much more to the book than just sailing stories.Even a land-based traveler will benefit from the wealth of information she shares about their many ports of call.And for anyone considering a cruising adventure, it's a must read! ... Read more

Product Description
The big adventure begins when Yaghan leaves Bullando Marina in Stockholm on June 1, 2006. Arne and Helene Martensson have both left important banking jobs in order to take on an entirely different kind of challenge - circumnavigating the world. Arne is chairman of Handelsbanken as well as on the board of some of Swedens lagerst companies when he and Helene decide to pursue their dream and sail around the world. They travel west through the trade wind belt along the equator in the wake of James Cooks first expedition. They continue all the way down to the dangerous, but beautiful, Antarctic after which they sail up the coast of Chile and around the islands of Patagonia. The Yaghan is a 62-foot Hallberg-Rassy equipped with the latest in modern technology and everrything else that makes a cruise around solitary waters easier. All important functions are doubled as an extra precaution in situations when help is a long way away. Arne and Helene write about how to equip a yacht to cope with an extreme circumnavigation, criteria for weather and route analyses, fantastic scenery and, above all, about their choice to leave the financial world in order to lead another kind of life. The Yaghan website and blog attracted 600.000 hits during the three year circumnavigation and the twenty-one movies at Youtube have been wachted 120.000 times during first six months. The channel is Etaomega07. The Swedish edition of the book sold almost 10.000 copies the first twelve months. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A great read
This book is just an amazing story. About a couple from Sweden that despite having it all (Arne was on the board of about all big Swedish companies you can think of), breaking up from this and instead pursuing a dream, to sail around the world.

Apart from this life lesson, you get a fascinating insight into all the preparations that are needed to embark on a huge adventure like this. But also you get to follow Arne and Helene on their voyage that will take them to Antarctic, Borneo and many other places on their route around the world.

Either you are sailing enthusiast or a landlubber like me, this book is really worth reading. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Excellent Beginners Book
This book is an excellent starting manual for beginners.Granted, when sailing there is no substitute for experience, but the beginning sailor, without the benefit of classes, will have no trouble learning the ropes after this book.Other books just gloss over beginning sailing, and focus on cruising or racing.This is the pure and simple beginners handbook.Text is clear and concise, summaries and vocabulary lists accompany each chapter, and the photos are useful with descriptive captions.Definitely worth checking out. ... Read more

Product Description
Sailing The Bay is a complete survey of San Francisco Bay: tide, wind, folkways, mores, the places to go, the ocean outside, the bruises, the beauty, and the inside line. Here is everything you need to know to be a complete sailor on San Francisco Bay.

Kimball Livingston's writing is packed with the spirit and the canny tales ofa water rat who has sailed the bay upside down and sideways. The author also gives rein to his scientific, analytical side, and he draws upon the best talents of the time, relating their favorite "holds and escapes" for the challenging winds and tides of the region. Whitbread winner Paul Cayard writes the foreword, Olympian Jeff Madrigali speaks on racing strategies for the Berkeley Circle, and U.S. Geological Survey hydrologist Ralph Ta-Shun Cheng addresses the interplay between wind and tide, for example.

Cruisers will find a guide to favored destinations from Petaluma on the north to Alviso on the south. But, Sailing The Bay reaches beyond the nuts and bolts ofracing moves and overnight anchorages to embrace the characters and events that have "made" San Francisco Bay. If you want to be a savvy sailor, you need this book. If you want to share in the traditions of San Francisco Bay, you have to have it. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

not my cup of tea
too general. was looking for more specifics such as places to go, best times to go, slips, anchorages, or moorings available at each site. I already know how the wind blows and the effect of currents in the bay, so give me something to read that I didn't know.

Beyond Sailing the Bay
While the focus of this book is on sailing San Francisco Bay this book offers much to all travel on the bay whether in kayak, windsurfer, powerboat or sailboat.Full of nautical and maritime history and lore. Marine articles from local newspapers. Plenty of tips on wide range of conditions one can expect on the bay (wind and the fog).Full of tips on the different micro bays (West Bay, North Bay, San Pablo Bay, the Delta, Sausalito, East Bay, South Bay and Beyond the Golden Gate Bridge (aka Potato Patch) within the San Francisco Bay. Included are harbors and boat launches located throughtout San Francisco Bay. While I learned to sail in San Francisco as a child, I have done most of my sailing in Southern Cal which is a lot calmer than San Francico Bay so this book is valuable resource for anyone who want to enjoy and challenge the conditions of the San Francisco Bay area waterways! Cheers! ... Read more

Product Description
The New England coast, a small cruising sloop, warm winds--and Anthony Bailey's seductive storytelling powers. An account of a season afloat and an autobiography of half a lifetime spent sailing New England waters. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Enjoyable read.
Great book - I read this book for the second or third time last year, at the time we were sailing the exact waters descried in the book. If you are a New England sailor you'll likely enjoy this. If not you may enjoy it anyway.

The Coast of Summer: sailing New England Waters from Shelter Island to Cape Cod
Captain LAM reports to me on the gift:

,,It is fantastique! A wonderful and accurate review of harbors and anchorages, on the Southcoast. It covers from Provincetown to Cape Cod to Buzzards Bay and the Elizabeth Islands and off to Narragansett Bay, RI. It is a wonderful read for anyone who has sailed the Southcoast waters! Thank you a hundred times!
LAM ,,

Crusing Guide
I first read this book from a copy obtained from the local public library.I was so impressed I bought one.It is a beautiful description of one man's sailing adventures of the New England Coast in the summer of 1992.I bought it primarilly as a cruising guide to the all the places I intend to explore with my own sailboat.

A Dream of Coastal Cruising
Long Island Sound and the south coast of New England--City Island in New York City to Martha's Vinyard and Nantucket and then the north shore of Cape Cod is one of the finest sailboat cruising grounds in the world.This area is replete with coves, quaint villages, rivers, islands, and a vast number of harbors and anchorages all different and interesting.Anthony Bailey writes an informative and charming description of a summer cruising the eastern sections, from Shelter Island to Provincetown.For anyone who is interested in or contemplating taking up coastal cruising Bailey's book is a dream of the way coastal cruising could and can be.Bailey cruises sometimes singlehanded, but mostly with his wife Margot.They are serious and dedicated sailors, cruisers, and enjoyers of people and the outdoors.I have cruised many of these same areas and thoroughly enjoyed revisiting them vicariously with Bailey.Bailey is a fine writer, with a modest and friendly voice.This material could easily have been unexciting and tedious in less skilled authorial hands.Bailey brings it lovingly to life.

The Coast of Summer is part informal cruising guide, part "log of our journey," and part dreamy reminiscing.Unlike some cruising guides, Bailey's is very much focused on people.Some sailors have a girl in every port--Bailey has a friend in every port, and we learn much about them.Bailey is British but partly grew up on Cape Cod and lived for years in Stonington, Connecticut while he worked for the New Yorker magazine.He seems to know an endless number of the rich and famous (and eccentric) who summer along the New England coast and he and Margot are happy to be entertained by one or another of them in most every destination on his cruise.

Although The Coast of Summer is one of my favorite and most enjoyed sailing books (and I've read many), I must nevertheless enter some qualms.For one thing, this book tends to breed resentment, at least in my puny soul.Bailey spends three quarters of the year living in London, and then July, August, and part of September cruising New England in his sailboat.Hmmm.What a nice life!I've also already mentioned his many aristocratic and intellectual friends--probably from his New Yorker days.And if you or I wrote a manuscript about our summer cruise, no matter how charming and informative, I bet we could not get it published.But Bailey can!Why?One surmises it's his New Yorker connections again.

OK.Enough of these cranky thoughts.I still have other more serious qualms.Bailey enters disclaimers about treating his tale as a cruising guide and I'm inclined to agree.For one thing the book is dated.Much has changed since he wrote it (but some things never change).I also question some of his boating methods.He and Margot cruise without a bimini.I consider a bimini essential protection from the Sun.Do not cruise anywhere south of the Arctic without a bimini.His auxiliary engine is gasoline rather than diesel.Diesel is much safer.Furthermore Bailey is unwilling to use his engine except in the most dire of circumstances.This can be a danger to oneself and others.We sailors rely on our engines when the wind dies and to get us out of tight spots.To compulsively insist on keeping the engine off, as Bailey does, even in dodgy situations is unwise and in my opinion unseamanlike.

But for his joy in sailing, his love of anchoring in remote spots and enjoying the peace and calm (what we cruisers call "gunkholing"), for his friendship and conviviality, for his treading softly and easily--Bailey is to be learned from and prized.

I recommend this book highly to anyone who is interested in coastal sailboat cruising, especially in Long Island Sound and New England.

Dated, but entertaining
With a title like "Sailing New England Waters from Shelter Island to Cape Cod" one expects a practical sailing advice on sailing the said waters. Well, this book doesn't do much in the department of practicality or advice, and I am still looking for a good guide on New England cruising.

Other than that, the book is quite enjoyable and makes a wonderful winter read, much recommended. ... Read more

Product Description
A sailing guide, taking the reader step-by-step through the basics of learning to sail with the aid of colour photograph sequences. It covers every aspect of sailing from rigging and launching the boat to hoisting sails, trapezing and recovering from capsize. ... Read more

Product Description

Product Description

Crispin is a mosaicist, a layer of bright tiles. Still grieving for the family he lost to the plaque, he lives only for his arcane craft. But an imperial summons from Valerius the Trakesian to Sarantium, the most magnificent place in the world, is difficult to resist.

In a world half-wild and tangled with magic, a journey to Sarantium means a walk into destiny. Bearing with him a deadly secret and a Queen's seductive promise, guarded only by his own wits and a talisman from an alchemist's treasury, Crispin sets out for the fabled city. Along the way he will encounter a great beast from the mythic past,and in robbing the zubir of its prize he wins a woman's devotion and a man's loyalty--and loses a gift he didn't know he had until it was gone.

Once in this city ruled by intrigue and violence, he must find his own source of power. Struggling to deal with the dangers and seductive lures of the men and woman around him, Crispin does discover it, in a most unusual place--high on the scaffolding of the greatest artwork ever imagined....

Despite its seemingly prosaic cast and quest, Sailing to Sarantiumis a charmer, another Kay classic. As usual, the character descriptions aresubtle and precise--the mosaicist, Crispin, is a shrewd, irascible, andintensely likable man who is fiercely devoted to his art but troubled byguilt and loss. Reluctantly surrendering to events, he agrees to travel toSarantium to work for the emperor. ("Sailing to Sarantium," we learn, is anexpression synonymous with embracing great change.) As Crispin moves fromroadside quarrels to palace intrigue, Kay gracefully shifts perspectivefrom character to character, moving forward and backward in time and givinga rich sense of the world through the eyes of soldiers, slaves, andsenators. --Paul Hughes ... Read more

Customer Reviews (82)

Guy Gavriel Kay: can we quit calling him a fantasy writer?
Guy Gavriel Kay is one of the reasons I hate the whole concept of genre. Tragically, he is, now and probably forevermore, labeled as a fantasy writer (and thus stuck on the shelves next to sword 'n' sorcery dreck). But he ought to be appreciated as a Great Writer, an appellation that escapes almost anyone whose protagonists ever pick up a sword or for whom goblins are a serious concern. By me, there ain't no such fancy word as ZHAHNN-ruh. There's good writin' and bad writin', and Kay is good writin'.

The Sarantine Mosaic duology--the current volume and its sequel, Lord of Emperors--is set in a thinly-veiled analogue of our own Dark Ages world (check out Kay's Lions of Al-Rassan to see what he does with Spain, and Tigana to see what he does with Italy), when Rome was a barbarian-ruled backwater, and Constantinople still glittered. A mosaicist named Crispin is summoned to Byzantium--sorry, I meant Sarantium--to decorate the greatest temple to Christ--sorry, I meant Jad--ever built.

That's as much as I'm giving away. Read the rest. Every page showcases Kay's skills as a novelist and a historian. You learn more about Byzantium from this "fantasy novel" than from a stack of straight histories. The fantasy/magical elements are almost jarring, and, quite frankly, could've been left out--they seem to be there only because the publisher said, "Say, Guy, we're marketing this as a fantasy. Throw some magical shine-ola in there, like a foul-mouthed elf as a best pal or something." GGK: "Magical. Huh. Well, gosh... how about some mechanical talking birds housing the souls of dead girls?" "PERFECT, Guy! Get crackin'!"

The plot is gripping, the scary scenes genuinely harrowing, the love scenes genuinely moving, and even minor characters are more completely drawn than a stack of characters in the egregious shmutz that passes for Serious Literature.

The Byzantine Empire has long been the raw fodder for fantasy literature (Harry Turtledove's spent a lot of imaginary time east of the Bosphorus), but no one does it like Kay. His body of work is simply marvelous writing about... well, about the marvelous.

Novel as a mosaic
Sailing to Sarantium is a lush novel from Guy Kavriel Kay, whom I consider to be the finest modern writer of fantasy. I highly recommend it to anyone who has enjoyed Kay's other works. For readers who have not yet sampled Kay's vibrant fiction, first, shame on you, and second, read The Lions of Al-Rassan or Tigana before you read Sailing to Sarantium. They are more accessible and serve as a better introduction to Kay than Sailing.

The most intriguing aspect of Sailing is its structure. Ostensibly, it is about Crispin, an artisan who must travel to Sarantium to create a legendary mosaic. In my opinion, in an effort to connect story and structure, Kay composes the novel as a mosaic with the Sarantine Empire as his subject. I think that Kay is enamored with his setting and he writes the novel around it. Interestingly, he reveals his setting through character. In this novel, setting is character. We learn about this world by glimpsing character's lives, thoughts, and dreams. Often these characters are peripheral or even irrelevant to the main storyline; however, by presenting these people, Kay illustrates his world more deeply and fully.

In regard to style and language, few fantasy writers can match Kay. I marvel at his lyrical prose. In Sailing, he does display a penchant for portentous phrasing but it is forgivable because he writes with such elegance. Furthermore, it is even apt. If I am correct that Kay structures his novel as a mosaic, then his dramatic, solemn words and phrases are the novel's tesserae.

Rich and satisfying
If you are looking for a thrill a page action/adventure, keep looking. Guy Gavriel Kay writes character driven novels of remarkable depth. His characters are complex, flawed and very, very real. That's not to say that the novel is slow or a simple character study. There is enough tension and plot twists to satisfy most, but the plot is driven more by political intrigue and by living, breathing characters than by blood and guts.

Sarantium is a fantasy version of Constantinople and the Eastern Roman Empire set about the time when Rome was failing. I don't know how much of the background is based on historical characters but the problems of empire and emperors saturate the story. We get the story of Sarantium via a mosaicist who is commissioned to create a great public work and who gets pulled into the plots and affairs of the powerful. It's brilliantly done. Kay's mastery of plotting, character and description lift this book out of simple genre pulp and put it on the par with any modern fiction.

Character Driven and Brilliant
I've just re-read both volumes of The Sarantine Mosaic. The two taken together are deeply moving and memorable. A number of reviewers comment on the books' "slow pace" but this misses the point. Character is front and center here, brilliantly revealed and explored, from the first paragraph (which ends, unexpectedly, commenting on the character of historians!) to the last word.

Surely Kay is accessing his own temperament to give us an artist-protagonist. When the mosaicist Crispin speaks of art, he is convincing, expert, and driven. As the lens through which we see the poverty of his declining city of Varena, the spirits in the wilds of Sauradia, and the sophistication of Sarantium, Crispin is observant, intelligent, and emotionally responsive. He is also a highly tempermental artist, frustrated by the lack of resources in Varena, and embittered by the death of his family in the plague. I was intrigued from the outset to see how this complex character would evolve in the world Kay casts him into.

The world-building of this series is rich, and I found it rewarding. I disagree with reviewers who felt that the secondary areas of plot and character are unessential. The charioteers, for instance, are showmen and celebrities, their effect on public sentiment and therefore on royal policy is crucial to the society, as it is with today's celebrities. And they are artists, too, in a pair of novels devoted to exploring the motivations and character of artists. The Introduction sets the large plot of the whole duology in motion, and elements introduced there are not resolved until the very end of the second book. When you look back, the Introduction seems not only essential, it's worth re-reading to see how thoroughly Kay has set the plot's groundwork in place.

The character of the royal figures is especially fascinating. Kay has given us truly regal leaders. They earn their leadership by huge personal and intellectual effort. I found it tremendously moving that, in Kay's world (like ours) these efforts and resources are in a way insufficient to what the world requires. There are several effective tragic elements in these books, and the inadequacy of even brilliant leaders is one of them.

Finally, this is quite a stunning love story, actually several love stories, all intertwined. Kay's capacity to describe mature love, with its passion, affection, physicality, and emotional depth often, in these books, can have an impact deep enough to force the reader to stop reading and feel the emotions as though they were his (or her) own.

Admirable, enjoyable, and thought-provoking work.

Disappointed...
Guy Gavriel Kay came very highly recommended, so I was quite excited about reading the first book in the duology. Doubly so because I've always been fascinated by the Roman and Byzantine Empires, and Sarantium is Byzantium with the serial numbers filed off.

Others have mentioned the very long, and I have to say insufferable, introduction. It was exceedingly long and tedious, but I persevered as I have something very rare these days, an actual attention span. Even though the introduction becomes relevant later on it could easily have been cut down to four or five pages.

When we meet the main character I have some sympathy for him, I think he's a bit of a jerk, and your typical "reluctant hero". Nevertheless the machinations in the beginning of the story are somewhat interesting. The reasons why he finally accepts the offer to go to Sarantium is also fairly well played, as is the visit to the alchemist.

I found it tedious, but I will grant that it was in a sense well written.

It's hard to give more details without spoiling the story but I will say that the hero struck me as an insufferable moron. Yes the character is consistent; he was consistently a moron whose sharp tongue got him into a lot of trouble. His supposed wit only seemed to get him out of problems that his own stupidity had gotten him into.

However that's not necessarily a deal killer, once more that's fairly stereotypical. So is the fact that the hero has lost his entire family in the plague (I'm not really giving anything away, it's revealed very early on). I could live with that.

The problem is that I don't care about the main character, he keeps talking about his grief. He doesn't sleep with a young woman because of it. However I don't *feel* any grief, I don't feel like I'm watching someone who is deeply in grief.

Likewise the young woman (whose name I shan't reveal to avoid spoilers) doesn't feel real either. She's the Suffering Young Woman and the Victim, yes her sob story is described from her point of view, her being unable to go home, etc. It's presented in such a dispassionate way that I find it very hard to *care* about any of it.

The only character that actually seemed to come alive was the hero's bodyguard. His thoughts, actions, and behaviour seemed very realistic, and it was possible to relate to them.

Even if you disregard the characters the book isn't even all that exciting, we're constantly told that they can never recover from an incident on their journeys. I just didn't feel any grandeur, or mystery, or power about the incident or the aftermath. The fog and the crazy cultists were reminiscent of a cheap slasher film, nothing more cerebral than that.

All too often we see things like "And that is why I want you to do this" or "And that sent a chill down his spine," followed by an infodump to make us understand *why* this was such a horrible thing. As examples I offer the Zubir and the Empress' dolphins, neither of them inspired the awe and worry they should have.

The plot bounces up and down the chronology, and between points of view, like a deranged jackrabbit. Over and over again we get a scene, then we skip back in time to a different character, and see his or her perspective on the events leading up to the scene. Sometimes we're then shown that the scene is really something *quite different*! The first time this happened it was alright, the second it was a little annoying, the third, and fourth, and so on times...

Well it got very, very annoying, very fast. Nor was it effective as a story telling device.

Then there's the Jadite faith, which is meant to stand in for Christianity. I'm suppose to care about the different sects and beliefs thereof, or at least see why they're important. I don't. Mainly because the portrayal of religion is so shallow and half-hearted that I can't be bothered. I mean Harry Turtledove of all people did a better job of portraying religious and sectarian strife in his Basil Agyros / Agent of Byzantium series! And that is a series of cheap action spy thrillers set in an alternate Byzantium!

Perhaps it's worse for me since I recognised all of the Byzantine, sorry Sarantian, characters, and I know exactly what incidents he's referring to (and yes all the important Sarantians are based on equivalent historic figures, up to and including the charioteer). Perhaps I'm not able to enjoy it because I'm aware of what tribes and pagan gods he's referring to. Perhaps I'm troubled because I recognise where the Jadite faith comes from (a mixture of Sol Invictus and Mithraism unless I miss my bet).

Thing is that sort of knowledge should *increase* my enjoyment of the book.

One quick note, some people complain that the charioteering factions in Sarantium are too simplistic. That's unfair, since Guy Gavriel Kay ripped them off wholesale from Byzantium, it may be simplistic but, hey, worked for the real Byzantines. Beside how sophisticated are modern day sports fans?

Overall I didn't like this book much, and when I finished it I decided I wouldn't bother to get the sequel. Quite frankly I don't care *what* happens next.

Two stars for getting all the grammar right, and for good research. Not recommended. ... Read more

Product Description
This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Sparse, wonderful story
As others have said, this should be required reading for those who love travelogues.Sloacum wastes no words telling his story and it is as interesting today as it would have been 100 years ago.His descriptions of exotic ports of call, descriptions of encounters with pirates and indigenous peoples along the way are fascinating and, at times, hair-raising.The book will have you 'googling' for pictures of the Spray - Sloacum's boat.Also, for sailors out there, you will marvel at the fact that Sloacum made this circumnavigation with boat, sails and lines made of natural materials (rather than the kevlars, nylons and other synthetics we use today.)It's truly an incredible voyage on many levels.

A Classic
This should be required reading for all Americans. An incredible tale of Yankee ingenuity, hard work and adventure like none other I've ever read. This was a normal guy without significant education or experience, written before modern education advances (sarcasm intended) who commands a clarity of thought and expression that rivals most people with advanced education today. Even if a sailing tale is of no interest to you, read this solely to learn to write!

You don't have to be a sailor to enjoy this book!
Let me say that I've never been on a sailing vessel of any type.I've never even been on the ocean.But I found this book quite interesting and entertaining.Joshua Slocum's narrative style makes it almost impossible not to read it without imagining a bit of a sailor's accent.His kind heart and happy disposition make me wish I could have met him.
A great read!

Classic Sailing
Written from a man and during a time before cruising was something "average income" people could / would do. Inspires one to not just sit wasting life go by on a tv, but to go out into the world and experience life!
Rachel Derlatka

The classic seafaring adventure
Sailing alone around the world is the book most mentioned by sailors when telling their own story. It is a 19th century tale of courage, determination and adventure in a world much simpler and more mysterious than our own. Captain Slocum also has a great knack for spinning a great yarn and his other books are also well worth reading. This is THE classic solo sailing book by which all others are measured. ... Read more

Product Description
Dave Perry's 100 Best Racing Rules Quizzes is designed to highlight specific aspects of the racing rules in an enjoyable format designed to help you become more familiar with the rules. Increase your knowledge and your racing will improve dramatically as you gain greater confidence making tactical decisions and maneuvering in close quarters. ... Read more

Product Description
Joshua Slocum's Sailing Alone Around the World is a classic, beloved by sailors the world over who have enjoyed this engrossing tale of a man who sails around the world alone in a small wooden sailboat built with his own hands. This edition is thoroughly annotated by teacher/journalist Rod Scher, who provides explanation, commentary, clarification, and In the News sidebars for historical context that will make Slocum's masterpiece more accessible to today's readers, sailors and landlubbers alike. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Interesting perspective on a very salty dog
I'm not a sailing guy. Never spent more than a couple hours in a boat. Needless to say, it blows my mind to think of someone sailing around the entire world. That's actually what drew me to Slocum's story. How the heck can someone do that, and do it 100 years ago at that?

I really liked Rod Scher's annotations because, frankly, a quarter (or more) of what Slocum is talking about is lost on me. Scher's juxtaposing of some world events along with the text is interesting, as well. We're connected to the world and what is going on 24/7 from anywhere, and it's really weird to think that Slocum wouldn't have heard about world events until, say, months after they happened -- if he cared.

I can't speak from the seaman's perspective, but as a landlubber, I'd recommend this story.

A solid pick for those who enjoy true-life nautical adventures
One man did what many thought was insane - sail around the world. He took it one step further and did it alone. "The Annotated Sailing Alone Around the World" presents Joshua Slocum's epic voyage with notes and research from Rod Scher, giving greater depth to Slocum's writings and logs of his lonely voyage around the planet. "The Annotated Sailing Alone Around the World" is a solid pick for those who enjoy true-life nautical adventures.

Sailing Alone Around the World, Ed. Rod Scher
This book captures much the same adventure and raw daring as did Thor Heyerdahl's Kon Tiki, although this book came far earlier. Scher's capable handling of subject matter gives the reader ready context and clarifying explantion of the subject matter from practical and historical perspectives. A must-read for any sailor, would-be seaman, or thrill-seeker who appreciates the immense risk Slocum courted in facing the open seas solo, in a boat expertly fashioned by his own hands.

A fascinating literary adventure
I thoroughly enjoyed Rod Scher's annotated account of Joshua Slocum's incredible journey. The annotations contributed greatly to my comprehension of Capt. Slocum's original work. Without the benefit of Mr. Scher's wonderful annotations, I would have missed ironic (and sardonic) subtleties within Slocum's original narrative, which were quite delicious. Scher's sparkling wit is also evident in the annotations, which further enhances the read. Absolutely delightful.

A Great Read!
One of the strengths of this book is how Rod Scher historically and technically "frames" Slocum's account. When you read Slocum's words, Scher gives you context, and when needed, explanation. As an almost life-long boater (I started sailing in my early teens on San Francisco Bay) and now a licensed mariner with many years of professional experience, I can easily say that Scher's nautical knowledge is right on. I even found myself checking a term or two, and Scher was correct.
But beyond this, this annotation rekindled my interest in Slocum's grand voyage.
A good read, a good buy, which even The Joshua Slocum Society attests by placing Scher's edition at the top of its recommended reading list.
Go read! ... Read more

Product Description
A memoir about an amateur sailor who buys an old motorsailer, which he names Yonder, and sets out to both restore and sail it, also includes reflections on his wife and both of their families." ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Sailing in a Spoonful of Water
We are boaters, not especially sailors, but have restored
and love old wooden boats.But even if these were not interests, would've enjoyed this writer's work since it's well written and also about family.

Coomer does it, again, with grace and style
Actually, I have just finished all of Coomer's works and have been a rabid fan since day One.However, Sailing in a Spoonful of Water touched my heart and soul.I too am bitten by the restoration of a boat and mine is currently in Damariscotta, Maine.When he touches our hearts with stories of his grandfather and father, it makes me relive the lives of both of mine who have passed, but how I wish they could be a part of my boat project.As he writes, you can smell the oil and diesel grime on your fingers.You can smell the salt air and even the smell of the fog as it rolls over the ocean.You can feel the swells from miles of crossing the Atlantic and even feel the sun on your face as you read each page!Mr. Coomer writes in his OWN style...a style that makes me tell people that I even enjoy the sentence structure with which he writes.He is one of the best writers of our times and I wish I could tell more people to enjoy their hallucination as well as I have enjoyed mine!Thank you as always Joe Coomer.

Wonderful saga of taking an old wooden boat into one's life
I found Joe Coomer's story of the acquisition of an old wooden boat, and the things he learns about it, and his life, and his family members, to be a very endearing tale.Maybe it is because I am a frustrated landlubberwho has yet to have the courage, or moment of irrationality, to buy my ownsimilar boat.By reading his account, I feel I have experienced many ofthings I might have expected.From that early uncertainty of the boat'sseaworthiness and doubt about his own seamanship skills, to a point fourseasons later when he is leaving the dock, "and we caught the outgoingcurrent as if we were swinging onto a moving bus".Coomer is at timesfactual and analytical in recounting the specifics of his encounter withhis motorsailer Yonder.At others, he captures in a phrase or two thebeauty and wonder of a special moment at sea.After an unexpectedrendesvouz with some gray whales in the fog, "my wife and I silentlyscanned the ocean, like children looking across the backyard one last timebefore letting Easter go".I highly recommend this book for anyonewishing to vicariously live the adventure of owning their own old woodenboat.

A bittersweet account of a family's boating adventures.
Although this bookis humorous, as its title suggests, it also is a storyof the passing on of a heritage of boating from generation togeneration.The author artfully combines an account of his adventures aboarda less-than-bristol, fifty-year-old wooden motorsailer, with memories aboutboating from his childhood. In the end, the boat has become so intertwinedwith his family life that he cannot abandon it even when it requiresrepairs that cannot be justified by its market value. The book issentimental, funny, wiseand very well written. ... Read more

Product Description
Sailing is a sport for life, and this photographic guide gives children aged eight or more a perfect introduction to the art. Written in clear, non-technical language it contains all the information young readers need to rig, sail and enjoy their boats - in safety.

For those who want to go further, there are also tips on sailing faster and preparing to race.

The book is based on the International Optimist, the world's most popular children's boat and an established favourite with sailing schools.

This the official handbook to the RYA Young Opportunity Scheme, launched by HRH Prince Andrew as a campaign to encourage more children into sailing. ... Read more