Alone Together cover art

Alone Together

Sailing Solo to Hawaii and Beyond

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Alone Together

By: Christian Williams
Narrated by: Christian Williams
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About this listen

What happens when a man of today's overconnected world sets off alone across the Pacific at the age of 71? Christian Williams, a veteran sailor and writer, planned a 6,000-mile voyage as a test of his own seamanship and endurance, and to fulfill a lifelong goal. But he found his focus quickly turning from the surrounding sea to all of us. Is anyone the same person when no one else is there? Do we dare to find out? In a new world of soaring seabirds, violent storms, and majestic emptiness, Williams discovered answers to questions he had never asked about who we are, why we sail, and the universal fear of being alone.

Alone Together is a complete technical course in offshore sailing technique and yacht preparation, and a philosophical inquiry into what it takes to be truly alive in the 21st century.

©2016 Christian Williams (P)2016 Christian Williams Sailing Sailing & Boating Social Sciences Sociology Sports Water Sports Thought-Provoking

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All stars
Most relevant
I loved listening to the story of Mr Williams' sail to and from Hawaii. It isn't edge of your seat drama and not much really happens, but the author's style is convivial and inclusive.

I genuinely felt I had sailed there and back to Hawaii with the accompanying philosophical insights and occasional related stories.

I can't say I've heard or read a book quite like it before and I heartily recommend it to those who sail and those who don't.

A book greatly improved by the narration.

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Too many things to praise. Funny, poignant and thought provoking. Just lovely, can’t wait to find more that Christian has written.

Fabulous captivating study of both sailing and life

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Just fantastic from Mr Williams. Have listened to this over and over.

He whisks you into his adventure, just wonderful 👍🏻🇬🇧

Superb thanks

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At first I was confused by the going back and forward but realised after it was integral to the current adventure. A brilliantly constructed tale at the end.

INTERESTING TALE

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This book is about Christian's solo sail to Hawaii, it's planning and execution. If you like the sea, sailing books or adventures you'll probably enjoy this.

There's no plot, there's not really any tension but in the end I found it quite compelling.

I expected more descriptions of the sea, instead we are given expansive and detailed descriptions of the mechanics of the yacht and it's preparation. I quite enjoyed these, although occasionally his voice (and I mean narrative voice) seemed a bit whiney - many of us would give our eye-teeth to have the chance to do a trip like this, so when he's moaning about an inconsequential leak he can't find or some other small problematic detail with the boat it does get a bit tiresome. There are few passages where Christian seems to be really content, perhaps this is a reflection on the inner 'us' we take with us wherever we travel and whoever we are with.

I expected more philosophy. 'Alone together' is the paradox at the heart of the Northumbria Community and I was expecting some deep reflections on the state of aloneness which he experienced. There is a bit of this, but actually the 'alone together' is a device in which the author keeps talking to you as though you were on the boat with him. Truly I found this immensely annoying and distracting and his assumptions about what I may or may not want to do patronising. This is the principle reason for dropping two stars. However, having paid my money I pressed on and like the leaks it seemed to disappear as the book went on and although the philosophy was not explicit, there is a wonderful connection with the sea and his life on it which does have impact.

Do I recommend it? Yes, of course: four stars is a hearty recommendation.

If you like the sea, sailing or adventures...

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