The Oxford Book of the Sea (Oxford Books of Prose)

Rating:
Summary: Most Quoted Passages not Inspiring
Review: I know of so many passages from books that reveal the wonder of the sea, yet they do not appear in this selection of material. Too many of the selections are actually very poor, I believe being selected only because they mention the oceans, not for their inspiration, beauty, or literate value. I think two thirds of the material in this book is actually quite moribund.

Rating:
Summary: Some entries end up short!
Review: I very much enjoyed this anthology . . . a good blend of poetry, short story and excerpts. However, some of the excerpts ended rather abruptly. I had the feeling that the editor intentionally cut the items at a particular point to keep the reader off-balance! At times, I wished for just a couple more sentences to get some kind of resolution to the piece, even if that didn't finish the story! Otherwise, a very enjoyable volume to pass time either on or off the water.

Rating:
Summary: Some entries end up short!
Review: I very much enjoyed this anthology . . . a good blend of poetry, short story and excerpts. However, some of the excerpts ended rather abruptly. I had the feeling that the editor intentionally cut the items at a particular point to keep the reader off-balance! At times, I wished for just a couple more sentences to get some kind of resolution to the piece, even if that didn't finish the story! Otherwise, a very enjoyable volume to pass time either on or off the water.

Rating:
Summary: Most Quoted Passages not Inspiring
Review: Terrific book for those who yearn to learn more about the sea, especially for all those armchair wanderers. Raban has done a yeomans job in collecting some of the more well-known stories (Ancient Mariner etc.,) but the true beauty of the book is in those lesser-known impressions of the sea. This book will draw you back again and again, its pull is that of the sea itself.

Rating:
Summary: Great Invitation to the Sea
Review: Terrific book for those who yearn to learn more about the sea, especially for all those armchair wanderers. Raban has done a yeomans job in collecting some of the more well-known stories (Ancient Mariner etc.,) but the true beauty of the book is in those lesser-known impressions of the sea. This book will draw you back again and again, its pull is that of the sea itself.