Books : Phoenix: Sailing Alone Around the World: A Travel Classic: The First Solo Voyage Around the World
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Binding: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 355
EAN: 9781842120859
ISBN: 1842120859
Label: Phoenix Press
Manufacturer: Phoenix Press
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 256
Publication Date: 2001-03
Publisher: Phoenix Press
Sales Rank: 1966429
Studio: Phoenix Press
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Editorial Review:
Product Description:
Epic in scope, spellbinding in every detail, Sir Joshua Slocum's famous account of his solo journey around the world--the first ever made--has already inspired a generation of readers. Born in Nova Scotia in 1844, Joshua Slocum was a seafarer from an early age, and by age 25 had already become a successful commander. But, after personal and professional catastrophe struck, he rebuilt a shipwreck with his own hands, turning it into an ocean-going vessel, and sailed out of Boston at age 52...alone. Three years later he returned, and what had occurred during that time is, by turns, magical, thrilling, terrifying, and exhilarating. "...a literate and absorbing yarn....His story is a convincing tale of the intelligence, skill, and fortitude that drove a master navigator."--The New York Times. "A classic book....Slocum's writing is as elegant as his thirty-seven-foot sloop, Spray..."--The New Yorker.
Average Rating: 
Rating:  -
I first read this book about 30 years ago, I think. I vaguely remember thinking it was dry, and now I'm amazed at myself. It is anything else but that, from today's perspective! First published in 1900, Slocum's prose reads fresh and crisp; and his sense of humor pleases me with its dryness. No wonder it's still around, over a century later.
Slocum, who worked his way up to shipmaster and owner after starting before the mast in the days when sailing ships still ruled international commerce, reached middle age in a different era. With his family grown, he accepted a friend's gift of a sloop that lay decaying in a field. Slocum rebuilt the SPRAY completely. Then he set out in her alone, to circumnavigate the globe.
He spent nearly three years in that successful effort. Newspapers followed his progress, and in port after port he made new friends and learned new things. Seasoned world traveler though he was, I got the feeling as I read that he hadn't had time for much of that learning on earlier voyages. He'd been busy looking after his ship, its cargo, and his family (who sailed with him). Now, off on his own with a freedom he hadn't known before, he savored each new experience and then recorded it for eventual publication.
"The author made me feel that I was there, too," is a cliche. But cliches come into being because they're true enough to invite over-use, and in this book's case the words fit perfectly. A classic for good reason!
Rating: -
This book is a wonderful find! Very readable and compelling, the author unwittingliy tells the tale of his adventures around the world on a small boat that he built with his own two hands in New England near the turn of the century. The book is without pretense, at times is hard to imagine, yet the language is so simple and straightforward how can we do anything but believe his stories written in a down home style. This is a book that's easy to get lost in and holds your attention until the very last page. I read it while on the beach. I recommend that you do the same. The sound of the lapping waves makes the book that much more enjoyable.
Rating: -
This story is the greatest sailing story I have ever heard of. Joshua Slocum is so far out and such an indomitable human being that it is difficult to fathom without reading the story. This book is truly an exercise in understatement.
A large society of Slocum afficianados exists now, largely in response to this one book. I just this past friday saw a replica of the Spray, the vessel on which he made this unprecedented voyage, owned by an old sailor. The replica is named Joshua, and sails from Alameda California. I saw it because it was at the annual wooden boat festival in Port Townsend, Washington.
Spectacular.
Rating:  -
Wish I had been a little more careful before I selected this edition. It's a tiny book with stiff pages and cover which doesn't stay open unless you want to break the spine. Just awful. I'll find a different edition at the library.
Rating: -
this edition has no illustrations, a cheap edition, very frustrating because the book is very good. I was forced to buy another edition with the illustrations, but have had problems with the shipping from the vendor, the book has not arrived, so I will have to buy a third edition !! Very frustrating. The first time this has happened to me at Amazon.
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