All Sail Set: A Romance of the Flying Cloud (Nonpareil Book, 35.) (Godine Storyteller) [Paperback]

Armstrong Sperry (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 1995 | Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up | Series: Godine Storyteller

Who can love the spread of canvas and the bend of the oak and not thrill to the names of the great clippers built by Donald McKay? Great Republic, Sovereign of the Seas, Lightening, Star of the Empire, and Westward Ho these names ring from an era when the windships were the queens of the ocean and sail was king. But the most famous, the one that most securely captured the hearts and imaginations of the entire nation, was McKay's masterpiece, the Flying Cloud.

Here is the story of Enoch Thacher, a boy whose father lost his fortune at sea, who McKay takes on during the lofting, building, and rigging of the Cloud, and who finally ships out on her for her maiden, record-breaking trip around the Horn. Accompanied by Sperry's wonderfully vigorous drawings, this realistic and riveting narrative will keep even landlubbers pegged to their seats.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A magical book. The romance is irresistible. --Fort Worth Star Telegram<br /><br />All Sail Set is a gripping novel and one of the best sea yarns ever written. It tells the story of Enoch Thatcher, who sails with the renowned skipper Josiah "Perk" Creesy on the maiden voyage of the legendary Flying Cloud, the clipper that set the record 'round the Horn. What sets All Sail Set apart from most sea tales is its unerring accuracy; it has the ring of truth. Coupled with Armstrong Sperry's detailed, vigorous drawings, this is a realist and riveting narrative that will keep even landlubbers pegged to their seats! --Midwest Book Review

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: David R Godine (March 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0879235233
• ISBN-13: 978-0879235239
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #228,371 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Ripping Yarn, February 14, 2006

By 

J. Brian Watkins (Laie, Hawaii) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: All Sail Set: A Romance of the Flying Cloud (Nonpareil Book, 35.) (Godine Storyteller) (Paperback)

Though he writes for younger readers, Sperry has an unmatched gift for writing adventure tales. This reissue is an essential of its genre and takes you in a clipper ship around the Horn to California. Of all the sea stories I've read--Hornblower, Aubrey/Maturin--this little work actually managed to explain more sailing terminology than 21 volumes of the O'Brien series. And the author's superb woodcuts fit the story perfectly. What sets this story apart is its ability to convey the adventure of going to sea, the wonder of the open ocean, of exploring remote places seldom visited by man. For this deskbound reviewer who is hardpressed to get off to Catalina Island for a weekend, this tale of taking a clipper ship around the Horn earned a privileged place in the library.

This book would make a welcome gift to any young person who is beginning to realize that the world is a large and interesting place and teaches an excellent lesson about how a blend of hard work, study and self-confidence can help one through just about any challenge.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars All Sail Set, January 12, 2009

By 

Ford K. Saye - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: All Sail Set: A Romance of the Flying Cloud (Nonpareil Book, 35.) (Godine Storyteller) (Paperback)

This is a book by Armstrong Sperry I read as a small boy. Now I give Armstrong Sperry books to my grandsons when they are between the ages of 10 and 14. The books are about boys of this age and the adventures are credible. Boys who are reluctant to read will like these books.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Cipper Ships, October 16, 2010

By 

Books_Shasta Lake City "Patricia White Lily" (California) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: All Sail Set: A Romance of the Flying Cloud (Nonpareil Book, 35.) (Godine Storyteller) (Paperback)

Interesting for me because I have been trying to learn more about the great sailing ship builers and the ships' masters.