A B Sea: A Loose-Footed Lexicon [Paperback]

Jack Lagan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 15, 2003

An entertaining, comprehensive guide to the language and lore of 21st century seafarers. Packed with practical advice, this is a dictionary with a difference: many words are illustrated by passages from classic books of the sea, others by the author's experiences aboard an American schooner with a European engine and two boxes of tools. Sample entries from this informative and entertaining dictionary include:

Bermuda Triangle: ...Given a choice between alien creatures and bad weather combined with inept seamanship and navigation, you should vote for the latter every time. The US Coast Guard certainly does...

carry away, to: when any part of the standing rigging or a spar breaks it is said to have 'carried away.' What you say is probably unprintable.

seasickness (mal de mer): a form of motion sickness usually brought on by a feeling of well-being and euphoria. Reputedly comes in two stages: during the first you fear you might die; during the second, you fear you might not.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...a compendium of interesting and useful nautical information and trivia..." -- Good Old Boat, August 2003

"...a fascinating collection of terms and expressions related to the sea and seafaring.... Excellent!" -- Classic Boat, June 2002

"...a very entertaining guide...packed with practical advice..." -- Latitudes & Attitudes, November 2003

"...witty and slightly twisted..." --Sailing, October 2003

a dictionary of boating-related words that keeps its tongue firmly in cheek.

This loose-footed lexicon defines such commonly used terms as cuddy, rudder and pennant...other definitions offer interesting facts or tips.

--Soundings, 2003 --Soundings October 2003

written in highly accessible terms for non-specialist general readers of all skill and experience levels as they embark upon the adventurous world of sailing the seas (as well as boating the rivers and lakes of the world)!

--Midwest Book Review --Midwest Book Review, September 2003

a dictionary of boating-related words that keeps its tongue firmly in cheek.

This loose-footed lexicon defines such commonly used terms as cuddy, rudder and pennant...other definitions offer interesting facts or tips.

--Soundings, 2003 --Soundings October 2003

written in highly accessible terms for non-specialist general readers of all skill and experience levels as they embark upon the adventurous world of sailing the seas (as well as boating the rivers and lakes of the world)!

--Midwest Book Review --Midwest Book Review, September 2003

About the Author

Jack Lagan is a writer who has been sailing since the 1960s. As a navigator, he believes that those who travel on the sea should have one GPS set stowed in the chart table and 500 years of nautical history stowed in their hearts. He lives in the UK.

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Sheridan House (April 15, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 157409159X
• ISBN-13: 978-1574091595
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,872,679 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A "user friendly" lexicon of common nautical terms, September 13, 2003

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A B Sea: A Loose-Footed Lexicon (Paperback)

A B Sea: A Loose-Footed Lexicon by writer and experienced navigator Jack Lagan is a straightforward, "user friendly" lexicon of common nautical terms used by 21st century seafarers. Ranging from "abaft" to "yardarm", A B Sea is an authoritative reference and a definitive resource which is written in highly accessible terms for non-specialist general readers of all skill and experience levels as they embark upon the adventurous world of sailing the seas (as well as boating the rivers and lakes of the world)!