Each year I give several dozen lectures and safety seminars. Interested? Contact me through FACEBOOK.
I'm a writer living near the water in Manhattan, and my last name's pronounced "Room-an-ear," with a silent "s" (I'm descended from a French soldier who came over in 1780 to fight for Americans in the Revolution). I've written 26 books on sailing, the sea, and New York history. I was educated at… Read more
Each year I give several dozen lectures and safety seminars. Interested? Contact me through FACEBOOK.
I'm a writer living near the water in Manhattan, and my last name's pronounced "Room-an-ear," with a silent "s" (I'm descended from a French soldier who came over in 1780 to fight for Americans in the Revolution). I've written 26 books on sailing, the sea, and New York history. I was educated at Columbia University (bachelor's and master's degrees in history) and Union Theological Seminary (M.Div. -- readers say they see religion and spirituality in my books). After teaching history and writing, I worked as an editor at a sailing magazine, then became a freelance writer. Here I am, 30 years later, living the most interesting life I can imagine.
JOHN ROUSMANIERE
Interests
My 26 books cover a wide range of fascinating topics -- history, art, business, religion, even a cemetery (my recent book GREEN OASIS IN BROOKLYN is one of my most favorite projects). I suppose I'm best known for my writing about boats. I've long be… Read more
My 26 books cover a wide range of fascinating topics -- history, art, business, religion, even a cemetery (my recent book GREEN OASIS IN BROOKLYN is one of my most favorite projects). I suppose I'm best known for my writing about boats. I've long been fascinated by the techniques, challenges, risks, history, and romance of the sea and sailing. In my books, videos, and lectures I've tried to convey that love to my readers. When asked to list the books that are my favorite, I say that #1 among the sailing books is THE ANNAPOLIS BOOK OF SEAMANSHIP, which after 25 years and three editions is one of the top-selling, most cited sailing manuals. I wrote it to help people sail safely and enjoyably. I've also written two storm books, FASTNET, FORCE 10 (about the tragic 1979 Fastnet Race, in which I sailed, and AFTER THE STORM, about storms at sea and how sailors have dealt with them -- both at sea and later in their lives. Among the subjects is the writer of the hymn "Amazing Grace," who was featured in a film of that title.
Of my many maritime history books, my three most recent are A BERTH TO BERMUDA (the history of the famous Newport-Bermuda ocean race), IN A CLASS BY HERSELF (an intimate view of the creation and preservation of one of America's classic boats), and THE NEW YORK YACHT CLUB: A HISTORY, which came out early in 2009.
I've written three books about the America's Cup and its controversies, and have been keeping up with recent developments and reporting on them in SCUTTLEBUTT, the sailors' daily E-mail newsletter.
The world's most successful yacht designer and a superstar in the sport of sailing, Olin Stephens writes the story of his long life around boats. There's much here to interest sailors -- including stories of the America's Cup and other key races -- as well as a lot that's controversial about racing, racing rules, Dennis Conner, and the Cup. Olin sailed in two Cup winners, designed six of them, and designed and raced winners of other major races.
This is also the story of a fascinating, sensitive, and humble man, as you can see in the opening sentences: "I was lucky; i had a goal. As far back as I can remember I wanted to design fast boats."
I am giving copies of this wonderful guide to reflection and private devotion to several friends and family members. A beautifully published collection of almost 90 great sermons -- some familiar, others not so -- it ranges from the Sermon on the Mount to words of John Paul II, Desmond Tutu, Billy Graham, and Peter Gomes. Extremely helpful are the excellent introductions by the editors and the thorough index, which allows finding readings for special seasons and occasions like Advent, Lent, and marriage.
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