Across Islands and Oceans [Kindle Edition]

James Baldwin (Author)

Book Description

Across Islands and Oceans is the memoir of twenty-five year-old James Baldwin and his epic two-year, solo circumnavigation in Atom, his trusty but aging twenty-eight foot sailboat.

Early on and “as broke as [he] dared to be,” James determined not only to sail around the world, but also to hike across every island that he visits. His inland forays are unique in the literature of circumnavigators as he finds danger, humor, friendship and romance in places most sailors will never visit. James' story unfolds in his earnest exploration of distant lands and seas, his meditations on the people whose lives he touched, and his greater voyage to explore his own private ocean of solitude.

His adventure is not merely an attempt to seek thrills, nor even to tempt death, but rather a voyage of discovery as he set out in the direction of his youthful dreams to meet the life he imagined.

“Go seek what you will, where you will,
but be a seeker all of your life.”
–James Baldwin

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Baldwin's crisp, clear writing carries the reader forward...the book has a reflective tone as Baldwin examines his own growth during the journey and the many lessons he learned that only the sea can teach." -Practical Sailor Magazine, July 2012

"His tales of the hikes and the people are as fascinating as the stories of his voyages and times at sea. This book is a wonderful addition to anyone's cruising bookshelf and likely to become a classic someday." -Good Old Boat Magazine

"This is the well-crafted story of a young man's voyage of self-discovery coupled with a desire to absorb and learn from the people and cultures he experiences." - Cruising World Magazine, October 2012

Product Details

• File Size: 7188 KB
• Print Length: 378 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1470004615
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: Atom Voyages (January 28, 2012)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B00738SYEG
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Not Enabled
• Lending: Not Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,942 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
  • #2 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Outdoor Recreation > Sailing
  • #2 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Nonfiction > Sports > Water Sports > Sailing
  • #4 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Water Sports

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars inspiring, informative and enjoyable February 1, 2012

By Jonathan

Format:Kindle Edition

I've long enjoyed, learned from and been inspired by James, primarily through his website. This book brings so many of James' experiences, perspectives and wisdom together into an enjoyable read which gave me a much better understanding of his adventures and accomplishments. These accomplishments go well beyond sailing and into his overall approach to life. I look forward to re-reading this soon and hope James, and hopefully Mei, share more in the future.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars In the tradition of Henry Thoreau February 1, 2012

By Triton106

Format:Kindle Edition

I have been waiting for James Baldwin to publish this book for a while. He originally published it one chapter at a time on his own website AtomVoyages.com. I always read each chapter in one sitting and looked forward to the next one.

Although you are reading two reviews by Triton (the same maker and model as the sailboat in James' story) sailors here the book is far more than sailing a small engineless sloop around the world single-handedly in author's youth (the first of two such solo circumnavigations James completed). It's about James' approach to life and his continuous strife to seek out what nature and other cultures have to offer. He writes it in beautiful and simple style that reminds me of the writings of Joshua Slocum and Harry Pidgeon (the first and second sailors to ever solo circumnavigate in history) and, if I dare say, in the tradition of Henry Thoreau. The writing is easy and personable as if you are sitting there listening to the story telling by a skilled novelist.

James has also published many other seafaring short stories and small sailing craft improvement writings on his website. I hope he will find the time to collate them into book form so that they can be collected and not lost.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The best in this genre August 16, 2012

By PDX Author

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

James Baldwin not only had a dream to sail the world, he fulfilled it and then some. "Across Islands and Oceans" is a complete account of a sailing adventure and a thoughtful reflection of the explorations that extend beyond the ports of call.

Baldwin not only sailed the oceans alone, enduring storms and torturous encounters with rugged lee shores, he also explored the interior of the islands he visited. His descriptions of landscape and culture and the relationships he forged with locals add a richness to an already adventurous story.

The personalities of sailing's greatest solo sailors are referenced throughout this book. Inspired by Joshua Slocum, Bernard Moitessier, Robin Lee Graham, among a few others, Baldwin worked in a land locked steel foundry to save enough money to finance his travels. His writing is exquisite and contains the thoughtful reflections of one who spends time thinking about the larger context of humanity.

If being transported on an armchair adventure via some good reading is what you are looking for, "Across Islands and Oceans" is sure to satisfy the most discriminating reader. It is by far the best in its genre.

More About the Author

Atom's Virtual Homeport at http://www.atomvoyages.com/ contains stories and scenes from over 20 years and two voyages around the world seeking adventure aboard our 28-foot Pearson Triton sailboat, Atom.