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I''m looking for some nautical fiction to read while these long winter months tick by. Of course there''s plenty of work to do on the boat, but this pleasant Wisconsin weather is going to permit that for only so long. I read ''The Proving Ground'' awhile back and found that interesting.
In a less contemporary mode, The Patrick O''Brian Aubrey and Maturin series is first rate, escapist stuff, if you haven''t already read it. It is set in the British Navy in the early 1800''s. The recent movie with Russell Crowe, while not bad, did not do them justice.
The characters are well-developed and very human. The historical aspect is extremely well-researched. It is addictive, however. When visiting a couple we hadn''t seen in a while, on seeing one of the books in our house my friend''s wife asked my wife if she was an O''Brain widow also. Highly recommended.
Although not fiction, Joshua Sloane''s "Sailing Alone Around The World'', will leave you in awe, but inspire you to read more about sailing, while moving you to sail further offshore.
I just finished Woodward''s book "Bush at War" it''s not a sailing adventure as such but it did reveal that Bush has seaweed for brains and doesn''t know his ass from a rudder post, sort of a nautical adventure if you think about it!
Try "Voyage" by Sterling Hayden. Very good story about sailormen on the square riggers at the turn of this century.
Hayden was a movie actor and before that quite a sailor working on ships as an officer. He went around the world a few times and knew the life styles and the talk of the men on boats.
Thanks all, for the suggestions. I finished Tristan What''s-his-name''s book, ''One Hand for You, One Hand for the Boat'' or something to that effect. Lots in there about boat design. It was written mid-80s, I believe, when Kevlar and carbon fiber were just making their way onto the sailing scene...a bit amusing to hear his predictions on their usefulness and longevity.
I''d take exception to your comments and offer a rebuttal but this forum is not the place and since the original post asked for "fiction" I guess your comment fits the bill.
Not fiction, but wild enough to be...
The Nagel Journal, from Chicago University Press, recounts the story of John Nagel. He starts out at the Battle of Brandywine, where he decides that Privateering might be better than soldiering in the American Army. He gets captured by the British, and the story improves to the point that he''s the coxwain in the longboat that founds the city of Sydney. A fascinating read, and from his personal journal, backed up by historical research by the editor from Chicago University.
If you have not read these, then your winter is ready:
Heavy Weather Sailing
The Boat That Wouldn''t Float
Five Against the Sea (If I am done with it by the CSO concert, I wil bring it)
The Last Strange Voyage of Donald Crowhurst
You must have read Perfect Storm, but is not, do so.
Look in the coat closet at the club as there were a bunch of books there late this summer.
Try also "The Proving Ground" and "REd Sky in Mourning"...
bobbi
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