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I just finished "Compleat Cruiser" (available from Small Craft Advisor). I had read this boom once before, about 40 years ago. The book, written by L Francis Hershoff, has a 1956 copywrite. However, I think it may have actually been written several years previous to that. The book is on the order of Izak Walton's "Compleat Angler" and is ostensibly a story of two boats sailing off the New England coast. Both are small wooden sailboats of about 22 feet in length. Both boats have children aboard as well and the kids are being taught about boating and seamanship. First thing is that the first boat (the Viator) has a 15 year old girl aboard unlike any 15 year old I have ever run across in my entire 68 years!! Perhaps children were much more mannerly and disciplined 60 years ago. The other boat (the Rozinante) has two boys somewhat younger. The style of the writing is very stilted but in my humble opinion is does instill a desire to go cruising. By the way, Mr. Herreshoff is highly opposed to the income tax, stockless anchors, "modern" motor boaters (wonder what he would say about today's high speed bass boats) and "Tom boys who lost their morals because of the late war)

Its a good book in my opinion.

Great review! Thanks —Eds

Editors wrote:Great review! Thanks —Eds

Well, its a C+ at least!!

Been reading Reece Palley very educational and enjoyable... Though it is amusing how he is talking about cruising on a "small boat" that is around 40' (maybe 30')

One of the liner notes or reviews compared him to Erica Jong or Henry Miller. He is a little earthy -- in that vein --- but they would be better to compare his straight forward style to them than imply he is producing books with erotica.

He addresses a lot of issues that non-sailors would concern themselves with sailing off-shore. Like: "what if you get sick or have a heart attack"

Another book that I haven't completely read, but refer to a lot:

"The Sailor's Book of Small Cruising Sailboats: Reviews & Comparisons of 360 Boats"

It's a great book to use as a reference. I like the ability to compare boats to each other with handy comparison charts.

TitusTiger wrote:Been reading Reece Palley very educational and enjoyable... Though it is amusing how he is talking about cruising on a "small boat" that is around 40' (maybe 30')

One of the liner notes or reviews compared him to Erica Jong or Henry Miller. He is a little earthy -- in that vein --- but they would be better to compare his straight forward style to them than imply he is producing books with erotica.

He addresses a lot of issues that non-sailors would concern themselves with sailing off-shore. Like: "what if you get sick or have a heart attack"

My idea of a good sized cruising boat is around 20 feet. 30 or 40 feet is a "yacht" and can only be owned by rich people (Like Josh for example )

Maybe we should start a thread on book reviews.

lustyslogger wrote: Maybe we should start a thread on book reviews.

I thought you just did.

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Because I was getting back into sailing I bought a few books.

One I liked was a primer: "The complete Sailor" by David Seidman. Pretty simple, but a good thing to read as a reminder and probably one I will read again, once the rain stops filling up the weekends.

TitusTiger wrote:

lustyslogger wrote: Maybe we should start a thread on book reviews.

I thought you just did.

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Because I was getting back into sailing I bought a few books.

One I liked was a primer: "The complete Sailor" by David Seidman. Pretty simple, but a good thing to read as a reminder and probably one I will read again, once the rain stops filling up the weekends.

LOL. Right after I posted my plea for a book review thread I realized "hey, isn't this a book review thread?"

I am currently working on two books regarding dingy cruising. I will write them up as soon as I finish and this time I will take notes! I also read "Desperate Voyage" and Tristan Jones "Incredible Journey" . There are a lot of good sailing books out there, both "How to" and "Look what we did"

I would like to find a humor sailing book... How to are okay --- I don't enjoy 'worse storm ever' books

I read:

"If the Boss Calls, I'm in a Sails Meeting : Confessions of a Boataholic" by Judith Archer

It was okay -- Maybe a B minus. I would like to find the kind of book that is so good and funny, doesn't matter if you like sailing or not

I am on the verge of finally finishing two books on cruising in small boats. One American and one British. While there are similarities of course there is also a different culture between the two. As soon as I finish both I will review here. They are not really books you start reading and just can't put down!! However, I will say these two I will not lend out. Books I lend out have a habit of starting on round the world solo voyages. At least that must be what happens to them since I rarely if ever see them again. I want these two for reference books. Who knows, some day the Lusty Slogger may very well actually sail in Abaco or the Thames