Customer Reviews
A classic which has endured for over 100 years - By: RobF, 23 Nov 2007 
After spending years commanding large merchant vessels, Capt Joshua Slocum completely rebuilds a 37 foot yacht & sets sail around the worldin it. Slocum's grasp of the English language is exemplary as he describes his single-handed voyage around the world. The book is a fascinating insight into life 100 years ago when sailors were unable to use electronics for navigation, meteorology or helming & vessesls had to sail around the Capes as the "shortcut canals" (Panama & Suez) had not yet been constructed.
An understated epic of seamanship and adventure - By: Robert Aitken, 25 May 2004 I share other reviewers' enthusiasm for this book, but for me astonishment & admiration are the dominant emotions it evokes. At an age when most of us are ready to start taking it easy, & long before the days of modern aids to navigation & survival, Captain Slocum cobbles together his tiny boat & sets off around the world single-handed, braving wild seas & fending off wilder but barefoot natives with tin tacks scattered on the deck. Don't look for any modern angst or self-revelation as to why he decided to do it, or what drove him to persist when, for instance, it took him exhausting weeks of battling to get round the Horn. The whole saga is so quietly told that the man's huge competence, sagacity & sheer fortitude emerge only slowly. I'm no sailor, but this is one sailing book that I will always keep to hand for inspiration.
The best part of Slocum is, his life's based on a true story - By: , 06 Nov 1998 I have read any number of books by small boat sailors, but never have I enjoyed one more than this. Why? I love success stories, & Capt. Slocum was the sort who assured his success before he set out. He anticipated, & prepared for every contingency, & he succeededin spite of doubters. But, what really sets the book apart is its language & the scope of knowledge of this third-grader. I gave most my other 'sea' books away, but will keep this one forever.
Top shelf true adventure reading! - By: , 02 Oct 1997 Slocum eases the reader on an adventure around the world, baiting us along with peaceful respect for the sea, & a love of sloitude. No hollywood storms or disasters. He is as good at story telling as he is at sailing. I would recommend his work to non-sailors & non-adventurers alike. This is a slice of history as he visits the South Pacific & South Americain the 1800's, quietly cruising past a world just comming to grips with expansion into unknown cultures & countries. A wise "old Salt" & a teriffic story teller!
Top shelf true adventure reading! - By: , 02 Oct 1997 Slocum eases the reader on an adventure around the world, baiting us along with peaceful respect for the sea, & a love of sloitude. No hollywood storms or disasters. He is as good at story telling as he is at sailing. I would recommend his work to non-sailors & non-adventurers alike. This is a slice of history as he visits the South Pacific & South Americain the 1800's, quietly cruising past a world just comming to grips with expansion into unknown cultures & countries. A wise "old Salt" & a teriffic story teller!
