Home Is the Sailor

Rating:
Summary: Just not that exciting...
Review: An autobiography of what happened after sailing around the world alone, Home Is The Sailor can't keep her sails filled.

I read "The Boy Who Sailed Around The World Alone" as a kid, shortly after it came out. Now thirty years later, that book is still in my head. So when I discovered that Robin had written another book, I was intriqued. What I found was mostly dissapointment.

It's a brutally honest book: he talks about suicide and depression and religon. But I found it to be uninspiring and the writing style to be amatueresque. When he did talk about sailing, his words kept my attention. But when he delved into his family troubles, he lost my interest for the most part.

There are years that he describes in detail in many chapters. Then there are others that are tidied up in a paragraph or two. For instance, he wrote at length, about his first child, daughter Quimby. But his second, Benjamin, gets barely a mention, save for his birth.

Overall, I found this book boring and lacking in substance, considering it's 217 pages. I kept saying to myself "so what!?"

The ending I found to be rushed and inconclusive, as the book was published right before they decided (apparently) to return to the sea.

I give it two stars, only because he was honest enough to put his problems in print, and because I like his previous work.

Rating:
Summary: Just not that exciting...
Review: An autobiography of what happened after sailing around the world alone, Home Is The Sailor can't keep her sails filled.

I read "The Boy Who Sailed Around The World Alone" as a kid, shortly after it came out. Now thirty years later, that book is still in my head. So when I discovered that Robin had written another book, I was intriqued. What I found was mostly dissapointment.

It's a brutally honest book: he talks about suicide and depression and religon. But I found it to be uninspiring and the writing style to be amatueresque. When he did talk about sailing, his words kept my attention. But when he delved into his family troubles, he lost my interest for the most part.

There are years that he describes in detail in many chapters. Then there are others that are tidied up in a paragraph or two. For instance, he wrote at length, about his first child, daughter Quimby. But his second, Benjamin, gets barely a mention, save for his birth.

Overall, I found this book boring and lacking in substance, considering it's 217 pages. I kept saying to myself "so what!?"

The ending I found to be rushed and inconclusive, as the book was published right before they decided (apparently) to return to the sea.

I give it two stars, only because he was honest enough to put his problems in print, and because I like his previous work.

Rating:
Summary: Good follow up to "Dove"
Review: I can't imagine what I would do after having seen the World by age 21. Robin chose to head for the mountains of Montana where he and Pattie found their creator and learned life's lessons the hard way. At the end of the book he hints that he wants to sell the ranch, buy a large teaching crusier, and once again sail the South Pacific.
I hope he made it.
[e-mail]

Rating:
Summary: Good follow up to "Dove"
Review: I can't imagine what I would do after having seen the World by age 21. Robin chose to head for the mountains of Montana where he and Pattie found their creator and learned life's lessons the hard way. At the end of the book he hints that he wants to sell the ranch, buy a large teaching crusier, and once again sail the South Pacific.
I hope he made it.
[e-mail]

Rating:
Summary: Great Continuation of a Spiritual and Adventurous Life.
Review: Robin continues to live and grow in his quest to be a husband, father, and spiritual person. Very painful to read about some of the family's hard lessons in building their home.

I contacted Robin several years ago wondering whatever happened to the rest of the story. He was very gracious to respond (twice!) and those notes, as well as his family newsletter are proudly stored with my copies of his books.

I know many people pursue truth and faith. Few have written about their journey in such a transparent, warts-and-all manner.

Rating:
Summary: Great Continuation of a Spiritual and Adventurous Life.
Review: Robin continues to live and grow in his quest to be a husband, father, and spiritual person. Very painful to read about some of the family's hard lessons in building their home.

I contacted Robin several years ago wondering whatever happened to the rest of the story. He was very gracious to respond (twice!) and those notes, as well as his family newsletter are proudly stored with my copies of his books.

I know many people pursue truth and faith. Few have written about their journey in such a transparent, warts-and-all manner.

Rating:
Summary: Home Is important to this Sailor
Review: Writing style is honest, It took a while to get going. I am impressed with where he was at in his life 1983 and wish I knew what he was up to now. I followed his journey in the NG, all those years ago, envious of his freedom to do as he pleased in the Dove. While he was naive about Montana, I found myself relating to their struggles and was impressed with the openness of his writing. In this book I believe he just let it all hang out.I think this book could be useful to a couple having marital problems! Their simple faith as discussed openly in the book is refreshing all the more in 2005! I recommend it for Teenagers and grandparents. My grandkids will be getting a copy!