Sailing Alone around the World (Shambhala Library) [Hardcover]

Joshua Slocum (Author), William Gilkerson (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1590302664 | ISBN-13: 978-1590302668 | Publication Date: August 9, 2005

Full of astounding adventures, Sailing Alone around the World is the true story of the first man ever to circle the globe alone entirely by sea. In a little over three years, Captain Joshua Slocum completed the feat many experts believed couldn't be done—and he has the stories to prove it. During his historic voyage, Slocum was chased by pirates in Gibraltar, soaked by a "rain of blood" in Australia, and battered by perilous storms in the open ocean. He also met many famous—and infamous—people along the way, from Mrs. Robert Louis Stevenson in Samoa, to Black Pedro, "the worst murderer in Tierra del Fuego." This absorbing tale, written with humor and poetic eloquence, was first published in 1900 and has remained in print ever since.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"One of the most readable books in the whole library of adventure."— Sports Illustrated

"A classic book. . . . Slocum's writing is as elegant as his thirty-seven-foot sloop, Spray, whose crossing of the Atlantic he describes vividly."— The New Yorker

About the Author

Captain Joshua Slocum (1844–1909) was the first person to circle the globe alone entirely by sea. On April 24, 1895, he departed Boston in his 37-foot sloop, Spray, and sailed around the world, returning to Newport, Rhode Island, on June 27, 1898. This remarkable achievement made Slocum the most famous North American sailor of all time.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Shambhala (August 9, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1590302664
• ISBN-13: 978-1590302668
• Product Dimensions: 4.6 x 1 x 7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #771,240 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Classic Sailing Story for All Time, December 1, 2005

By 

Mark L. Corson (Lakewood, Ohio) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Sailing Alone around the World (Shambhala Library) (Hardcover)

It is awesome to read what Joshua Slocum did. His achievement should be celebrated forever. His writing style is not particularly good but the content of the story is unique. All cruising sailors should read this book. Slocum clearly was an outstanding navigator and all around sailor. The section of the book on his adventures going around Cape Horn dealing with the weather, currents, and natives is particularly exciting. This is a story waiting for a Hollywood movie or, even better, a long running TV series.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the great sailing books, June 15, 2008

By 

P. Sagues (Marin County, California) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sailing Alone around the World (Shambhala Library) (Hardcover)

In today's era of stainless steel, Dacron and electronics, we can lose sight of what real sailing is. This is a readable story of the first person to sail alone around the world. Using a one dollar wind-up clock and a ton of skill, this old sailor circumnavigates the globe and spins some yarns that take us away from the world of new technology to a simpler time. A great read.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE BEST CLASSIC SINGLE HAND SAILING EVER, December 10, 2006

By 

D. SAILOR "dave" (PASADENA CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sailing Alone around the World (Shambhala Library) (Hardcover)

A must read for everyone. Truly one of the great classics on sailing single handed around the world. And this was during the turn of the last century. Hearing about the ports and native people over 100 years ago, is living history. A must for every sailors library. One of the all time bests. If you pick one book to read about sailing, start here. People will be reading this for a thousand years. Our American Ulyses.