Customer Reviews

Around the World Single-Handed: The Cruise of the "Islander" (Dover Books on Travel, Adventure)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book is special to me as it opened my eyes to the reality that anyone with a true desire to see the world can make it a reality. It sparked in me a desire to 'go cruising' which I will be doing this summer when I leave on a trip to circumnavigate the world by sailboat. I was inspired by Harry Pigeons' account of his voyage aboard the 'Islander', and I think you will be too.

While Harry Pidgeon's feat of sailing around the world is exceptional, and his writing style clear and concise, he offers few insights into sailing or his life. The book is fashioned after Joshua Slocum's "Sailing Alone Around The World:" Or equally as likely, Pidgeon and Slocum were two men of a like mind. In any event, both men portray that 19th century reserve so characteristic of the Englishmen. Such reserve in the face of near scrapes with death maybe admirable, but it does not make for as interesting reading.

No fantastic adventure, no , no fight with aggressive natives: just a plain yet fascinating description of a great adventure. A very enterprising man decides to explore that (large) part of the globe he does not yet know: ninety years ago it was still possible.
Through his simple and rugged vessel the author can reach persons and human groups who often are minorities and sometimes disappearing.
I was touched from the attitude of this unassuming man, who likes to really get in touch with human beings so different from his neighbors; he is not an ambassador of western culture, but a curious man who want to explore clean waters and unspoiled lands as well as to communicate as far as possible with persons who have a different perspective of life.
I like this book a lot.

Historical nautical read. In very good condition for an old book. Good read if you are interested in the sea. Arrived fast and well packaged.

Call me an escapist, but I love this book. To accompany Mr. Pidgeon as he builds the Islander and sails her around the world, from one adventure to another, is a wonderful way to spend a snowy evening by the fire. He gives us a great glimpse into the flavors of the various south sea island groups in the early 20th century, where most cultures were dilluted already, but a few were intact. This book lets us see the world with wide eyed wonder through the eyes of a man with a thirst for knowledge and experience, and from the deck of a small boat.