Customer Reviews

Gipsy Moth Circles the World (The Sailor's Classics #1)

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I recall the thrill and deep emotion that came over me in 1967 when I saw TV coverage of England welcoming home Francis Chichester (soon to be "Sir Francis") from his "singlehander" circumnavigation of the planet. (I still tear up thinking about it.) I am not especially Anglophilic, but the man and the moment epitomized for this American all that is great and good about England and her people, even if the British Empire ain't what it used to be (which is very likely a good thing).

Alas, almost four decades later, I didn't find Chichester's memoir of the voyage an especially engaging read. "British understatement" is an understatement. One can admire the man's restraint in not overdramatizing the more perilous episodes of the voyage -- capsizing off Australia, rounding the Horn, etc. -- but the drama that certainly did accompany this maritime feat is hardly there at all. Nor is there a strong sense of the emotional and physical toll on a 65-year-old man (however fit) of operating a 53-foot sailing vessel 'round the clock, alone, for 226 days, snatching sleep a few hours at a time. Much of the routine is ... well, routine, and it begins to run together after a few chapters.

Chichester's mostly matter-of-fact recounting of the voyage is full of details about sails, masts, booms, navigation and other nautical equipment and tasks, details that are likely going to leave most 'lubbers (such as myself) a bit glassy-eyed. Find yourself a sailor's glossary, because there's none in this account. Although the book contains boat diagrams and a sail plan, keeping track of the genoas, staysails, and jibs becomes stultifying. There is also several pages' discourse on supplies and foodstuffs one would want for a long ocean voyage. (Take plenty of fresh eggs, but paint them with beeswax before stowage!)

In an epilogue, J.R.L. Anderson, himself no slouch of a sailor, and a more polished writer, succeeds in putting Chichester's achievement in perspective. "He has succeeded in making dreams come true, his own private dreams, and the dreams that most men have from time to time ... He has lived not alone his dreams, but ours too." Only occasionally does Sir Francis himself grant us such a personal insight, before returning to his litany of sail-setting, navigating, and trying to eat and sleep on the rolling sea in a boat heeled over 20 or 30 degrees.

All in all, a great man, a great feat, a disappointing book. If you are a yachtsman, or want to be, or if you are planning your own nautical sojourn, you may find this book more informative and entertaining than I did. Perhaps "British understatement" is what this volume is really about, after all.

Chichester's story-- of his nine-month single-handed circumnavigation of the world with just one port of call-- is laconically told. His bravery, focus and endurance was applauded by a crowd of thousands who celebrated his return to London. His worst moments were the realization that he had almost depleted his stock of his favorite drink, gin; whenever his solitary journey was interrupted by news-hungry reporters in boats or airplanes; whenever he had to prepare for and deliver a radio message to his newspaper sponsors. His best moments were consuming simple meals; playing music taped for him by his son; toasting his wife with champagne on their wedding anniversary while wearing his 'smoking'. Chichester is a man with a huge amount of will power and modesty. When he speaks of discomfort, danger, illness, injury, fear (and he experienced much of each during his journey), he brushes it aside as a necessary part of the challenge he accepted. He is a solitary man, sustained by his belief that he can achieve his extraordinary goal, and by his love for, and support from, his wife and son.

If you want to while away a summer afternoon listening to a guy complain about his boat for 2/3 of a trip around the world, go for it. Supposedly a classic of nautical libraries everywhere, but I was rarely engaged by the author for more than a sentence or two. While his feat was amazing and had never been accomplished before, the crowd that followed in the golden globe were far more insightful and sentimental writers in my opinion.

great service; already had the book and gave it as a gift. very happy with everhthing

"Gypsy Moth" Circles the WorldExcellent book worth reading,especially if you want to know how it feels like to circumnavigate around the world by yourself. 100x better than reality tv!