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Sailing Alone Around the World

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About this listen

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

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
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As an amateur sailor this book/ audio book is a fantastic insight into what it took to sail, single handed in a relatively small, simple boat well over 100 years ago. A charming and inspiring read/listen.

Fantastic

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The pride - even smugness - comes across throughout this story, although that's probably entirely justified given the achievement. I wasn't always sure it was completely honest - almost as if difficulties were played down. the writing and narration make for easy listening. I preferred the first half, which is about the experience aboard, whereas the second half focusses more on his hobnobbing with local big-wigs and interactions with the 'natives'.

proud of his achievement

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An amazing story of the first single-handed navigation of the globe. Simply told without conceit. The journey takes three years and passes by wild lands with wilder peoples. Slocum takes it all in his stride and seemingly passes through the toughest storms without batting an eyelid. It is only when he casually mentions that he was 30 hours at the wheel without a break that you realise how hard it must have been in reality.

Great salty sailing story

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the reader was a little too British and I would have prefered an American reader to match the writer.

wonderful story if youve always wanted to sail around the world be never get the chance , I would prefer an American reader.

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loved it, a very brave man for the time, modest to the end. a great navigator.

very interesting

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