Customer Reviews

Into the Light: A Family's Epic Journey

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I read this book when we were in the process of finding a boat to cruise on with our 2 toddlers. I found this book to be very enlightening on the crusing lifestyle. I found it humerously written in parts when the Martins made a plan for every obstacle they faced. I laughed, I cried and I laughed and cried at the same time. I've read a lot of books catered to women out cruising and as a woman and mother I found this book to be the most interesting as it really delved into family life on board. It is the only cruising book my husband wanted to hear about - in fact I'd read to him at night and we enjoyed it together. Jaja has a positive attitude that is infectious. You find yourself almost connected to the Martin family. Other books leave you feeling depressed your not out there yet but this book leaves you feeling inspired. A very happy read and I've recommended it to a lot of people. My only regret is I loaned it to my father-in-law and, now that I'm out cruising, I'd love to read it again but I can't get it back from him!

I've just finished reading the Martin's "Into the Light" and I have to say it was a wonderful experience. The book is a page turner from the adventure standpoint, but on a higher level it talks about a wonderful philospophy of life from which all of us can learn and benefit. This is a book I will come back to again and again. I've got it on my personal favorite list, right up there with Peter Mathieson's "Snow Lepoard" and Pirsig's "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance".

This is the first sailing book that really beautifully combines adventure, travel-logue, family and humor all wrapped up in a simple, intelligent and creative narration. Dave Martin takes us truly on an epic journey, from Bermuda to Iceland, to Scotland and Norway, with countless stories of friendship and peril along the way. I laughed out loud probably 30 times reading this book, and felt tears welling up almost as many. I was a fan of Dave's ariticles in Cruising World while the Martins were circumnavigating, but this is much more mature. The book winds around and through your heart. I didn't want it to end. GREAT Book!!!!!

How many books have you read twice? I'm on my second reading. "Into the Light" is a story about real people, not only the Martin family but the many friends they made during their journey. There are lessons for all ages in this book. Not only lessons in seamanship but those pertaining to life. It is easy to become part of this family as you read the book.
Compelling and spell binding.

Five stars --all the reviews below say it all well!-- but was disappointed that the publishers included no photos of the Martin's amazing trip to the beautiful far north. And no technical specs on the boat or gear, that cruising sailors might want to know about. Great story full of life, adventure, fine people, and cruising.

A truly great cruising/life/adventure story, well reviewed by the folks below. The Martins have long been a source of inspiration, cruising/life information, and humor.

But too bad the publishers didn't think to put a few pages of photos in their unique book about their unique trip to the beautiful far north. And why no real specs on their boat/rig, cruising gear they used, etc.? Cruising sailor-readers would like to know about such things. Was a bit disappointed to find neither of these --especially photos!

Just when I was about to give up on our "Dream" my wife gave me Into the Light for a birthday present. I started reading it on Friday, and could not put it down. For years my wife and I have talked about changing our life-style and doing something less hectic and more enriching. Lately I'd begun to think it would never happen - that we would never put together the necessary financial and career requirements. But the Dave and Jaja have opened my eyes to the possible, and what we need to make this happen. We are now energized towards getting out of the rut. Thank you Dave and Jaja for your inspiration and guidance

We all love adventure books: the power and challenge of wild, the beauty of nature, the personal tests of hardship, and the strength of the human spirit. All of this and more can be found in the Marin's saga. It makes for great reading. But pervading all of this adventure and beauty is a philosophy. For some, it appears, this philosophy is enlightening, uplifting and "enriching", speaking to our desires to be free from the pathos of our modern world. For me, this philosophy of rejection by the Martins comes across a little heavy-handed, with inverted narcissism (hey, look at us, look how simple and humbly we can live), a touch of hypocrisy (ooh, let's keep our children out those American schools in North Carolina, but wow, wouldn't it be culturally uplifting to enroll them in an Icelandic and a Norwegian school), and an air of superiority. OK, OK, I'm being overly critical. We all at times seek a simpler life and I too envy the Martin's freedom, spirit and sense of adventure and this really is an enjoyable book. But hey, let's not take ourselves too seriously here. I give Into the Light 4 stars: 4 or 5 for the great adventure, and 2 or 3 for the overdose of "Martinism".

I would HIGHLY recommend this book for anyone who loves adventure stories. Be forewarned, you'll be envious of the Martin's incredible experiences and want to buy a boat and follow in their wake. Still can't believe they sailed 3 children into harms on a 33 foot sailboat.

For me "Into The Light" had it all, adventure, humor, love and exciting locations. I've read it several times and continue to find it fun and entertaining. I really enjoyed the Martin's close and unique relationship with each other and with their children. I felt like a welcome stowaway aboard their boat, getting to enjoy the trip without having to man the lines or suffer the sea sickness.