Product Description

First published in 1900, Joshua Slocum's autobiographical account of his solo trip around the world is one of the most remarkable and entertaining travel narratives of all time. Slocum set off alone from Boston in April 1895 and went on to join the ranks of the world's great circumnavigators. But by circling the globe without crew or consorts, Slocum outdid them all. His three-year solo voyage of more than 46,000 miles remains unmatched in maritime history of courage, skill, and determination.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #297823 in Books
• Published on: 1999-10-28
• Format: Illustrated
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 273 pages

Review
"Sailing Alone continues to be an inspiration to many would-be adventurers." Lloyd's List (December 2006) "[Slocum's] amazing character lives on in this compelling account of his remarkable global journey." Advertiser & Times (Hants) (Autumn 2006) 'There is so much to this book that it is not surprising that it is has been continually in print since 1889' '..this book has literary merit, thoughtful and beautifully written and packed with incident.' Nautical Magazine (March 2007)

About the Author
Joshua Slocum was born in 1844. After his famous trip he became friends with Mark Twain and Theodore Roosevelt. In 1909 he sailed south from Martha's Vineyard and disappeared at sea. He was declared officially dead in 1924. Thomas Philbrick introduced the Penguin Classics edition of Richard Henry Dana's TWO YEARS BEFORE THE MAST.

Customer Reviews

The best part of Slocum is, his life's based on a true story
I have read any number of books by small boat sailors, but never have I enjoyed one more than this. Why? I love success stories, and Capt. Slocum was the sort who assured his success before he set out. He anticipated, and prepared for every contingency, and he succeeded in spite of doubters. But, what really sets the book apart is its language and the scope of knowledge of this third-grader. I gave most my other 'sea' books away, but will keep this one forever.

An understated epic of seamanship and adventure
I share other reviewers' enthusiasm for this book, but for me astonishment and admiration are the dominant emotions it evokes. At an age when most of us are ready to start taking it easy, and long before the days of modern aids to navigation and survival, Captain Slocum cobbles together his tiny boat and sets off around the world single-handed, braving wild seas and fending off wilder but barefoot natives with tin tacks scattered on the deck. Don't look for any modern angst or self-revelation as to why he decided to do it, or what drove him to persist when, for instance, it took him exhausting weeks of battling to get round the Horn. The whole saga is so quietly told that the man's huge competence, sagacity and sheer fortitude emerge only slowly. I'm no sailor, but this is one sailing book that I will always keep to hand for inspiration.

Top shelf true adventure reading!
Slocum eases the reader on an adventure around the world, baiting us along with peaceful respect for the sea, and a love of sloitude. No hollywood storms or disasters. He is as good at story telling as he is at sailing. I would recommend his work to non-sailors and non-adventurers alike. This is a slice of history as he visits the South Pacific and South America in the 1800's, quietly cruising past a world just comming to grips with expansion into unknown cultures and countries. A wise "old Salt" and a teriffic story teller!