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Sailing Alone Around the World

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Sailing Alone Around the World

By: Joshua Slocum
Narrated by: Bernard Mayes
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Summary

Challenged by an expert who said it couldn’t be done, Joshua Slocum, a fearless New England sea captain, set out in April 1895 to prove that a man could sail alone around the world. A little over three years and forty-six thousand miles later, the proof was complete. This is Slocum’s own account of his remarkable adventures during the historic voyage of the Spray.

Whether Slocum was more accomplished as a writer or sailor is hard to say. His writing style is fast paced, witty, and exhilarating, an absorbing match to his harrowing adventures - adventures that included being chased by Moorish pirates off Gibraltar; escaping a fleet of hostile canoes; being submerged by a great wave off the Patagonian coast; an encounter with Black Pedro, “the worst murderer in Tierra del Fuego”; and foiling a nocturnal attack by savages by strewing carpet tacks on the Spray’s deck.

Captain Joshua Slocum (1844–1909) was the first person to circle the globe alone entirely by sea. This remarkable achievement made Slocum the most famous North American sailor of all time.

Public Domain (P)1992 Blackstone Audio, Inc. Sailing Sailing & Boating Travel Writing & Commentary Water Sports Sports Heartfelt Witty Pirate Nonfiction Adventure
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Critic reviews

“[A] literate and absorbing yarn…A convincing tale of the intelligence, skill, and fortitude that drove a master navigator.” ( New York Times)
“One of the most readable books in the whole library of adventure.” ( Sports Illustrated)
“A classic book…Slocum’s writing is as elegant as his thirty-seven-foot sloop, Spray, whose crossing of the Atlantic he describes vividly.” ( New Yorker)
All stars
Most relevant
Great story and great narration. Slocum really comes alive in this reading, and whilst mostly accurate, it’s fun spotting the bits that are embellished to make a wonderful story even better. Highly enjoyable.

Brilliant!

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I really enjoyed the authors sense of humour. It comes out again and again. He has a lovely relaxed style of writing that is enhanced by the narrators voice. I felt like I was gliding round the world on the wind with him. It was a bit light on detail. I would have been quite happy for it to have been double the length.

One of the most enjoyable, and stylishly written books I have listened to on audible. A hidden gem, and a book anyone would enjoy.

Stylishly written, charming, and witty.

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In 1895 and at over 50 years old, Joshua Slocum set off to sail around the world - oh yes, after first having (re)built the boat he was to sail. No one had ever done this before.

Despite this amazing feat by a truly remarkable man, who obviously re-drew the boundaries of the possible, this book is easy to read, funny and filled with observations of and encounters with a world which has long since disappeared. The writing is simple but brilliant and focussed not on sailing tech stuff, but on the story. The whole thing is understated and accessible and I'm surprised that he and the book are not better known.

It is narrated by a Brit - I am one too, so this is not anti-British; however Slocum was a Canadian sailing under US colours and the language does not quite fit being heard in this accent. The narrator does a good job and mostly I forgot this.

A true gem - you won't regret it.

A diamond among adventure stories.

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It’s an epic story in all ways, humbling and inspiring - the world’s seas are there to be sailed

Beautiful and inspirational

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Smile in my face from beginning to end with the odd bit of astonishment. I’m inspired to do the same. We’ll see.

Just charming

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