Moitessier has received some less than positive reviews of this classic of sailing literature. A non sailor may ask what can be so absorbing about sitting for months in a boat rocking around to wind and sea.
Bernard Moitessier conveys in a poetic manner just what that essence is of being at sea for months and the moment by moment intensity that can be experienced in a world that could seem rather dull and uninteresting to the uninitiated.
Indeed it is his full immersion in the moment that comes across, his absorption in the complete world both superficial and at much greater depths.
His heightened perception of life is drawn out through his experience and this is a journey into which we are drawn ourselves as we travel the long way.
As a sometimes sailor myself i can perhaps appreciate all the more the little things that help us see the bigger picture and give us those moments of rapture and revelation.
To the non-sailor who can let his/her imagination flow with the journey, comes the reward of insight into the beauty and majesty of the ocean world and the internal trials and joys of the lone sailor.
For Moitessier, the feeling of connection to the spirit of nature leads him to forgo the more worldly pursuits which are represented for him by the machinations of the European world, and leads him towards the Pacific Islands, giving him more time to experience this connection and take him to a world less troubled by the ingress of modern civilization.
Sadly he finds that the concrete is rapidly replacing the greenery in Tahiti too.
Some may scoff at what may appear as naive ranting and green fanaticism, calling it dated and over simplistic, however the message is as valid today as it was in the 1960's, probably more so as environmental destruction continues at a pace unheard of before.
His dream that a simple life can lead to greater happiness and fulfillment for all are just as apparent and important now.
Moitessiers' books are still a great source of reference, inspiration education and enjoyment to the sailing community the world over and takes us into the magic and beauty that is the world when seen through the lens of a purified mind.
The down side of this paperback edition is that it omits the great photographs to be found in the hard back edition, i would have paid more had i known, and bought a better copy.
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Reviewed in the United States on October 26, 2012
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Reviewed in the United States on December 11, 2002
Reviewed in the United States on August 11, 2016
Top reviews from other countries
Andrew Spears
A wonderful book about being true to yourself and an amazing sailing voyage.
Reviewed in Canada on March 28, 2021
Shovelhead
Best singlehanded sailing adventure ever!
Reviewed in Australia on February 11, 2020