Customer Reviews

Letters from Sea, 1882-1901: Joanna and Lincoln Colcord's Seafaring Childhood

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Letters from the Sea takes the reader back to the turn of the century and lets them peak into the unique life of a sea captain and his family. Not only do the letters tell us of the trials and tribulations of being away from home and friends, they let us look into the warm relationship this family shared, despite being apart for years at a time.

Parker Albee uses the treasure trove of actual letters from the Colcord's along with the Joanna's and Linc's later writings to put us on the deck of the State of Maine during a storm, socializing with other families in Hong Kong Harbor and waiting in Searsport for the family to come home. It is a wonderful story of the sea and of family.

I had thought of this book for many years. But never tried to find it. Lincoln Colcord lived in my home town in the late 1930's. His son was a classmate. Lincoln was a very talented sea captain and also a song writer. He wrote the words to the "Maine Stein Song". His books are delightful.Letters from Sea, 1882-1901: Joanna and Lincoln Colcord's Seafaring Childhood

I thoroughly enjoyed the account of a family that lived the last days of sailing ships on the sea. Their letters are very insightful and it is wonderful that they have been preserved. Thank you for offering this delightful book. We will be attending an Elderhostel (August, 2011) in Camden, Maine, which focuses on the days of sailing ships and the life such a family lived. The Colcords illustrate how families long for togetherness and lovingly share their lives through the written word, often enduring long stretches of time between letters. The details of daily life take on new meaning. As Emily Dickinson wrote: "The days of life goes on like the nibbling of a mouse," and those "nibbles" become charged with meaning as one reflects on these moments. This book offers such fascinating insights. The pictures are most helpful. I highly recommend this book for a delightful journey into the daily life of a sailing family.