Customer Reviews

Living a Dream

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

 

 

GETTING STARTED and the UPS and DOWNS of the cruising life is what best sums up this WONDERFUL book by Suzanne Giesemann. I HIGHLY recommend this book to ANYONE contemplating the cruising life. This book is a MUST READ. Here's why:

1.) You will find yourself relating to the same yearnings that Suzanne and Ty had experienced in wanting to cruise full time. This couple had magnificent careers, yet they understood what it means to prioritize and sacrifice in order to live life to the FULLEST.
2.) As retired Navy officers, Ty and Suzanne have MANY combined years of professional wisdom in handling themselves out at sea, and this maturity shines through in the book. Each step they took was methodical and carefully planned--- from the selection of their boat, to their groceries and charted destinations.
3.) Suzanne is commended for her honesty in handling her fears and mishaps out at sea - which is a BONUS, as she is a superb role model. I would feel 100% secure in having Suzanne in charge of MY boat! She is an incredible lady!
4.) This book should be kept on the shelf of ALL cruising enthusiasts. You will glean from these chapters EXAMPLES of how Ty and Suzanne handled themselves in sticky situations, their cool-headedness while faced with danger, and their step-by-step approach to getting their goals accomplished. I'm very impressed with these two.

The bottom line is that I had always wanted to SELL ALL and to LIVE THE DREAM like Ty and Suzanne. Their book showed me (by their own example) on how I can approach my own goals and dreams. This couple is an inspiration. Even if you don't plan to cruise, this book is WONDERFUL reading. Suzanne's warm personality, sense of humor, excellent writing, and intelligence SHINES THROUGH.

Fortunately, the adventures of Ty and Suzanne do not end. They are logging their adventures online now at, www.libertysails.com

* * * * * Another FIVE STAR book, and one of my ALL TIME FAVORITES!

I couldn't put this book down. The emotions and honesty make this so much more than a "we went here, then we went there" account like so many others of this genre. Definitely worth a read!

I was given the book "Living a Dream" by my sister-in-law, Denise Zachar, wife and widow of Frank, my dear brother. Suzanne dedicated the book to her husband Ty and Frank and Dee "for showing us the way" and she personally signed it for me. Not only is it very well written and exciting reading, but for me there was so much more personal meaning, since Frank and Dee had been living a dream for fourteen years. For all of those years, I followed them mentally through visits, phone calls, letters, and e-mails; I was their personal postmaster, did some of their banking, even helped sell a home that they had bought along the way, when they realized they would never leave the waters. Ty & Suzanne's trip to Nova Scotia and Newfoundland paralleled in time Frank and Dee's last journey together. When Ty and Suzanne returned to Annapolis, they met up with Dee once again and were told that Frank had passed away in Portland, Maine. This book would be good reading for almost anyone, seafarer or landlubber, but no one will shed as many tears as I have throughout the entire book. Thank you, Suzanne.
Ottie Lynn Galis

I love the way this author writes - I felt as though we were sitting together in the cabin of her boat while she shared her stories with only me. I hung on every word and couldn't wait to find out what happened next. This book is so much more than a book about sailing. It's about putting your thoughts into action and taking the necessary steps to make dreams come true. It's about working through fears and the unknown to experience all that life has to offer. She has motivated me to re-evaluate my priorities and to begin working toward my dreams. I really hope there's a continuation of her adventures in the future.

Well, I don't know if it's really better, but I do know this: I left my copy of This Game of Ghosts (the sequel to Touching the Void) at work, so I started reading Living a Dream and I couldn't go back to 'Ghosts' because I just couldn't stop reading. I had been picking up 'Ghosts' when I got bored, but for some reason I was compelled to read Living a Dream straight through. You don't have to have much mountain experience to appreciate Joe Simpson's story, but I've had no sea experience whatsoever - so it's a mystery to me why I was so pulled in by Living a Dream. I gave the book five stars because it's so good for what it is (I'm not comparing it to Garcia-Marquez or Rushdie). The gratification you get is exponential to the effort of reading it.

The chapters about her working at the Pentagon were awesome, her job was important enough to be really intriguing but not so rarefied that it's way out over our heads. (She was apparently one of only a few people on the last plane in US airspace on 9/11, and saw Manhattan and the Pentagon in the same day.)

The bulk of the book is a narrative about the decision, subsequent to her 9/11 experience, to become a full-time cruiser, and the adventures that ensued. I can't get over how captivated I was over a story that didn't involve anything over the top (like circumnavigating in a row boat, or being stranded for some ungodly amount of time). I have a friend who plans on becoming a cruiser, I'm buying a copy for him for sure. Even if you have only a passing interest in cruising, I would say this book is worth purchasing.

My husband and I interested in learning more about the cruising lifestyle. When I heard Suzanne give a lecture for women sailors, I was immediately captivated. She's warm and friendly in person, so it was easy for me to quickly become engrossed in the book. I must admit, I could'nt put it down. I've read books by other cruisers before, but this was the most enjoyable by far. Suzanne is a talented writer...she has a way of helping the reader to feel as though he/she is experiencing the adventures first hand. I was pleased to see that she included a glossary for those of us who may not be completely familiar with nautical terms. I would highly recommend this book not only to sailors, but to anyone with an adventurous spirit. This book won't disapoint!

Lorna
Boston Mass

An easy and enjoyable read that will really appeal to those thinking about taking the plunge into the cruising life - or indeed just looking to make a major life improvement through change.
It's not a sugar coated romanticized account of success, but rather an account of how someone hugely successful in her career, took a careful look at her life and made the bold decision to give it up and move on.
The decision continues to be questioned and second guessed and the book highlights some of the difficulties in discussing one's innermost fears with a trusted partner - for fear of sending wrong signals and collapsing a tenuous grasp on the new life.
Heroic and amusing anecdotes are scattered through the book, making it an enjoyable story of the transition from hectic and immersed professional life to a different hectic immersion in their new life.

Great book! This is a well written book that puts you on the edge of your seat. You feel as if you are on the boat traveling with the writer. Looking forward to the next book!

Suzanne truly welcomes the reader into her life and aboard "Liberty" to experience both the joys and trials of the cruising life...while sharing those personal experiences that accelerated the desire to live their dream - NOW. What wonderful insights...what wonderful travels...what wonderful people! A great "easy" read - recommended even for Landlubbers!!

What a great adventure! Ty and Suzanne have actually done what so many of us talk about - but never quite get around to doing. As I was reading about their travels, my thoughts were sailing along the line of what fun to be able to experience "Living A Dream" through the eyes of such a remarkable couple. Now my thoughts include ... why not us.

Suzanne's sharing of their journey was informative, exciting, at times funny, and thought provoking. And always personal. Her narrative is richer because of her willingness to share so much of herself and, along with her readable style, enables readers to better understand what the cruising life is truly about. "Living A Dream" is one of those books that you know you should put down and turn out the light - but you keep reading "just one more page!"

"Living A Dream" tells a story of adventure that, long after you finish reading it, keeps playing in your mind and stirring your own dreams. A great read .....