This book is fantastic as an overall introduction to Pacific landfaring/navigation. As a standalone book I do not think it is good for learning how to use these navigation systems yourself, but if combined with knowledge from the internet and other books, this book provides a lot of vital details which I have never seen published anywhere else.
This book also is unique in the fact that it focuses not on a single system of navigation but the navigation systems of the Polynesians, Carolinians, etc. etc. There are many differences between the systems which is interesting not only from a historical standpoint but a navigational standpoint.
Edited to add:
This book covers not only "star course" navigation methods, but also methods for navigating by observing general swell patterns in open ocean (Up to 3 or 4), local swell patterns i.e. reflected swell or shadow swell near an island, how to estimate drift due to current or wind, etc. etc. The author also talks about wind compasses which I don't believe has been covered in detail in any other book. Rare information.
Many concrete examples are given in great detail, for example how the author aligned specific trees and rocks just before losing sight of the departure island in order to be in exactly the right corridor to start using the star course to the destination. There are very clear diagrams of how particular stars are aligned with particular parts of the boat or canoe in order to maintain the correct direction. He talks about how to deal with bearing error when a "steering star" is too high above the horizon to be perfectly accurate, and he also talks about how to deal with cloudy nights where the star you are heading for is not visible (Aligning stars other than straight ahead of the boat. Very difficult stuff!)
The back of the book is full of very detailed star courses with the modern names and the Islander's traditional names for the stars, as well as the declination / right ascension. The author also explains in modern mathematical / astronomical terms why these navigation systems work.
Throughout the book there are many well drawn illustrations that make everything clear and easy to understand, as well as photographs of rare traditional boats, construction methods and old navigators.
Using techniques I learned from this book (And several other sources), using a simulator I have been able to fly without any navigation instruments and arrive at tiny specs of land with excellent precision. With very good understanding of the principals this book introduces it is possible to create your own star courses at most latitudes on the planet.
This is one of the most well researched, well executed books I have ever read in my life. The content is somewhat dry at times, if you are not a navigation freak, but if you are like me, and love to know where you are at any given moment, you'll never get tired of this.
Buy this book, you won't regret it.
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We, the Navigators: The Ancient Art of Landfinding in the Pacific Paperback – May 1, 1994
by
David Lewis
(Author),
Derek Oulton
(Editor)
|
David Lewis
(Author)
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Print length464 pages
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LanguageEnglish
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PublisherUniversity of Hawaii Press
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Publication dateMay 1, 1994
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Dimensions5.98 x 1.04 x 9.02 inches
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ISBN-109780824815820
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ISBN-13978-0824815820
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Editorial Reviews
Review
Intensely thorough ... An exhaustive examination of the pre-European navigational system which should fill any scholar's need ... Succeeds admirably., The Northern Mariner
The strength of this work lies with the islanders who instructed Lewis in their techniques of navigation.... Lewis successfully distills abstract navigational concepts into a well-organized and interesting text.... We, the Navigators is a work of great depth, and one of the most detailed investigations of an ancient art that is being lost forever. Through it one gains insight into the rich history of long-distance and inter-island voyaging in the Pacific., Mariners' Museum Journal
The strength of this work lies with the islanders who instructed Lewis in their techniques of navigation.... Lewis successfully distills abstract navigational concepts into a well-organized and interesting text.... We, the Navigators is a work of great depth, and one of the most detailed investigations of an ancient art that is being lost forever. Through it one gains insight into the rich history of long-distance and inter-island voyaging in the Pacific., Mariners' Museum Journal
From the Back Cover
The second edition of David Lewis' classic book on Pacific navigation promises to satisfy yet again scholars and seafarers alike - and all others who have marveled at the ability of island mariners to navigate hundreds of miles of open ocean without instruments. The new edition includes a discussion of theories about traditional methods of navigation developed during the past two decades, the story of the renaissance of star navigation throughout the Pacific, and material about navigation system in Indonesia, Siberia, and the Indian Ocean.
About the Author
David Lewis' navigational research has taken him to Central Australia, throughout Micronesia, from Hawaii to Tahiti on the Hokule'a, through Indonesian waters on traditional prahu, to Manus and New Ireland, and among the Alaskan Eskimos and Siberian Chukchi. In 1972-1974 he made the first single-handed voyage to and from Antarctica. Dr. Lewis has received numerous awards for his navigational achievements, including the Gold Medal of the Royal Institute of Navigation, London.
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Product details
- ASIN : 0824815823
- Publisher : University of Hawaii Press; 2nd edition (May 1, 1994)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 464 pages
- ISBN-10 : 9780824815820
- ISBN-13 : 978-0824815820
- Item Weight : 1.4 pounds
- Dimensions : 5.98 x 1.04 x 9.02 inches
-
Best Sellers Rank:
#582,997 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #230 in Australia & New Zealand History
- #842 in Ships (Books)
- #1,218 in Aviation (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
Customer reviews
4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
67 global ratings
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5.0 out of 5 stars
This book is fantastic as an overall introduction to Pacific landfaring/navigation
Reviewed in the United States on January 27, 2016Verified Purchase
19 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on December 25, 2015
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A great, fun, interesting, read. Tough to slog through at times because this is NOT an adventure tale but a serious academic research. That means at times in the quest for completeness or thoroughness you feel maybe you are getting bogged down in stuff.... but never for long. Because it is part adventure tale too. The author actually goes out and does these passages between islands with some of the traditional navigators. If this sort of stuff interests you this a wonderful book. Definitely now will be counted among my most treasured on the subject of navigation. Fair warning: You will need to brush up on your geographic knowledge of the pacific islands!
5 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on January 3, 2020
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This was a fascinating look at an ancient form of navigation. It's just amazing to realize this is how people used to travel, guided by stars and terrain familiarity.
3 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on June 6, 2018
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Interesting new(ish) Hawaiian historical point of view. Raises interesting ideas and questions regarding Polynesian migration.
2 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on March 13, 2020
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Fun book. This is just what I was hoping it would be. Lots of detail
on the various ways the Polynesians likely navigated between islands
hundreds of years ago, without any of our "modern" math or technology.
on the various ways the Polynesians likely navigated between islands
hundreds of years ago, without any of our "modern" math or technology.
One person found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on July 19, 2010
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In the 1960s David Lewis sailed with his family from North America to New Zealand via the Magellan Straits and Pacific Ocean in a 40' catamaran. Later he spent more time in the Pacific Ocean and later still he sailed down to the Antarctic single handed: as such he is well placed to study the traditional navigation methods of Oceania. This book brings to life the cross cultural connection between mariners and has the reader itching to learn more - provided the reader is themselves a seafarer. We find ourselves utterly in awe of the knowledge and feats of the navigators but I am not sure how much appeal this book would have for landlubbers who have never experienced the phenomena he so comprehensively describes. All in all a scholarly and sensitive work. Vale David - wishing you a fair wind and a star (or rather, succession of stars) to steer her by!
10 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on April 4, 2013
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Very good description of navigation methods used prior to the advent of electronic navigation aids. Reconnects you with the logic of natural, oceanic phenomena that enable navigation without dependence on batteries or sight reduction tables.
3 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on August 27, 2020
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If you were looking for navigation in ancient times this is a beautiful book.
Top reviews from other countries
jonsnow
5.0 out of 5 stars
Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 21, 2017Verified Purchase
Simply great how the ancient navigators got around 10/10
Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars
Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 16, 2015Verified Purchase
This is a very interesting book on the almost lost art or skill of navigation without instrumentation.
David Giffard
5.0 out of 5 stars
excellent
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 6, 2013Verified Purchase
This book should be read by all who wish to understand navigation at sea. No charts, tide tables compass or GPS
Alte Reben
5.0 out of 5 stars
ohne GPS und Kompass
Reviewed in Germany on January 17, 2021Verified Purchase
Faszinierend, wie die Menschen im riesigen Pazifik selbst ohne Kompass diese winzigen Inseln präzise ansteuern konnten. Der Autor hat das immer nur mündlich weitergegebene Wissen dieser Art von Navigation erforscht und zugänglich gemacht. Und auch ausprobiert!
enrico zambianchi
5.0 out of 5 stars
un grande classico
Reviewed in Italy on January 18, 2015Verified Purchase
libro affascinantissimo, ovviamente per chi è interessato all'argomento.
non c'è molto altro da dire, è un caposaldo, abbastanza piacevole da leggere anche se molto tecnico, pieno di aneddoti anche curiosi.
non c'è molto altro da dire, è un caposaldo, abbastanza piacevole da leggere anche se molto tecnico, pieno di aneddoti anche curiosi.
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