What is your favorite Sailing book?

[dancingbare]

Wanderer by Sterling Hayden and Sailing the Dream by Dr. John F. McGrady

[sailorgirl60]

What a great thread!!!

Non-fiction-The Handbook of Sailing- Bob Bond
I never take it off the boat, VERY PRACTICAL.

Non-fiction-The Essentials of Living Aboard a Boat-Mark Nicholas
Lots of good info! Easy read, very funny and down-to-earth.

Fiction- Sail-James Paterson
It was just ok- he could have called it Murphy's Law Aboard,
.

[kwaltersmi]

Hmmm...so many choices, but today I'll nominate Blue Latittudes by Tony Horwitcz. Great book chronicling Capt. Cook's voyages, but with a modern day twist.

[jephotog]

Just have to chime in on the Hornblower vs Aubry thing. I have been slowly working my way through the Aubrey series for 20 years off and on. I think I only have 2 more in the series left and haven't read one in a year as i will be so disappointed to have it end. I too like the nature walks and 1700s medical lessons as it gives a perspective on the times.

I have just read Midshipman H-Hornblower to fill this need. It is a good book and I am looking forward to the series, but not in the same caliber as the Aubrey/Maturin series. Although I am only one book into it I did not see the level of detail or continuing thread going throughout the one story. As a matter of fact I was annoyed when Horblower jumped from a falling mast then flipped the page to find him doing something years later. I think Hornblower will be a way to prolong having to finish the Obrian series someday. I am now reading Forester's "the Ship" which is also good.

A note for Aubrey fans there is a companion book "A Sea of Words" that helps you understand more, with a history lesson, glossary and more about the series. There is also a few books on non-fiction books on frigates that give a good understanding on the time and importance of that class of boat.

[anderbra]

My fave is God Forsaken Seas, by Derek Lundy if memory serves me well. It's an account of a non-stop round the world solo race. Gripping.

[TaylorC]

Riddle of the Sands - Erskine Childers - a classic amongst sailing geeks everywhere, it is supposed to have been the first spy novel. Author was executed as a spy in 1922 following the Irish revolution .

Interestingly, there is a sequel called Shadow of the Sands by Sam Llewellyn, which in my view may be even better than the original.

In both books sailing and navigational skill play a major role in the plot. I would say both are must reads for your next summer cruise.

[RainDog]

After 10 people had read, and loved, my copy of Amazon.com: Seaworthy: Adrift with William Willis in the Golden Age of Rafting (9780307335944): T. R. Pearson: Books I realized I needed more than one copy to loan to people. Great book about one of sailings great characters.

[TQA]

Shrimpy by Shane Acton

It is hard to find nowadays but a great read and a good antidote to 2 foot itis and gadget averice.

[mitiempo]

one of my favorites is "Song of the Sirens" by Ernest K. Gann, a biographical book about the boats he owned, including the square rigged Albatross, later made famous in the movie "White Squall"
Anything by the late Hal Roth, an opinionated sailor and good writer.
Anything by Larry & Lin Pardey - there are many
Chichester's books, as well as Robin Knox-Johnson's books (winner of the 1st solo around the world non-stop race)
Moitessier's "The Long Way"
Brian

[tdw]

I found a pile of old sailing books at a second hand bookseller last week.

Racundra's First Cruise - Arthur Ransome, which amazingly enough I'd never read before is thoroughly enjoyable.

Sea Saint - Ian Nicolson, young bloke finishes off bare hull in Nova Scotia and sails home to England single handed, early 1950's...great read.

The Wombette is in the middle of 'The Sailor's Foot' by Ethelbert Robinson and loving it.

The Quest of the Schooner Argus - Alan Villiers is looking very promising but I've just begun.

Couple of weeks back I reread 'Passage to Juneau', Jonathan Raban and it remains right up at the top of my list along with his 'Coasting'.

oh yes....I also found a 1950 edition of Eric Hiscock's 'Cruising Under Sail'. Technically way out of date of course but it's no wonder the man (and his wife Susan) were the inspiration for an entire generation of cruising sailors and wannabees.