Customer Reviews

On Wits and Wind

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
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A true adventure story of a round-the-world voyage by four men and a dog on a three-masted schooner. With many ports of call and stays ashore of varying lengths to earn money to continue their journey, provision and repair the schooner's wind-battered sails, have fun, see the sights and explore remote and dangerous areas, William Ward Vicker's account of this epic voyage is a fascination. Lavishly illustrated with 161 photographs, the majority memorably captured by crew member Art Teets, "On Wits and Wind" is a unique five-star treasure.

I'll read this book several times-the story, the character development, the scientific info--and more. Well written, stirs my sense of adventure. It is a pleasure to "accompany" these men on their journey-almost a journey to manhood.

We now live in a very different world than that which existed following the end of World War II. After six years of unimaginable tumult, chaos and destruction, there was a short period of time when much that survived the war but which has now passed forever away was still available to be explored and experienced.

William Ward Vickers and a small group of companions - having served in the military but having never seen combat and knowing that the world and they would soon change forever - were determined to see as much of the world and learn as much as they could about themselves before the forces of change reshaped the world and themselves.

In his book, "Of Wit and Wind", Mr. Vickers tells the story of an unforgettable voyage put in motion by desire and audacity and sustained by an unquenchable spirit of adventure and resourcefulness. He tells it in the first person - and in his telling of his story - it is easy to forget that you are reading words on a page and to feel instead that he is there with you as his tale unfolds - a master storyteller spinning a yarn that enthralls and ultimately exhilarates as you realize that every word of the yarn is true.

The book is handsomely illustrated with photographs that document the various - and at times unbelievable - stages of the voyage and is a wonderful history of places and peoples that are now long gone.

Do yourself a favor and sign on for a weekend with the crew of The Cal - you will be very glad that you did.

On 'Wits and Wind' is an American classic. It's an adventure on the scale of Magellan's voyage or that of Charles Darwin. Vickers' descriptive writing will spin visual images in your mind of times past. A unique period after WWII and before leisure travel became easy and ubiquitous. It could be the last of one of the worlds great adventure stories and would make a fabulous movie. I just finished reading the book for the second time. It's a page turner.

As other reviewers have written, this is a marvelous first person story of young men who sensed that this was a unique time in their own lives and the life of the world, who made a life altering decision to explore both on an old barkentine.

With marvelous photos and clear narrative Vic brings us along on this four year journey around the world. I felt the wind, rain and motion through the water and marveled at their ingenuity solving what seemed like insurmountable problems on s shoestring budget. Down to five dollars at one point the cruising kitty did not support dropping into the marine store and buying solutions.

As I read I kept thinking "what a different world that was" and "would that journey even be possible today?" Would today's young men be able to tame their rugged individualism and work together toward a common goal in the face similar obstacles like the crew of the California? Or were they truly a unique product of their age?

California and her crew will stay with you as they do with me.

Unbelievable! When reading this book, the stories and anticipation as to what is going to happen next will leave you questioning whether your reading fiction or non-fiction... yet the story is true! I loved the book since it depicted a crew of 6 relatively inexperienced sailors who embarked on a circumnavigation knowing they did not have sufficient money to complete the voyage. These men were truly risk takers when it came to finances, storms, cannibals, etc... If you like adventure, you'll love this book! Five stars!