Rating: 
Summary: Read this book one day, then go sailing the next day!
Review: Sailing isn't rocket science, and the authors have done a great job of keeping it simple. They cover all of the basics, some of the advanced stuff, and take all of the mystery out of sailing. Hey, they even include a tear-out plastic-coated "cheat sheet" that you can take with you on the waves!
Rating: 
Summary: Not the best for THIS dummy.
Review: The authors have maybe a bit too much expertise and experience to effectively write for "dummies" like myself. Somehow after reading this, I had just as many questions as before. Part of the problem is this book is way too comprehensive, covering such topics as sail-boarding. I would rather have had more in depth explainations of the basics and more diagrams/illustrations.
Rating:
Summary: Not the best for THIS dummy.
Review: The authors have maybe a bit too much expertise and experience to effectively write for "dummies" like myself. Somehow after reading this, I had just as many questions as before. Part of the problem is this book is way too comprehensive, covering such topics as sail-boarding. I would rather have had more in depth explainations of the basics and more diagrams/illustrations.
Rating:
Summary: Not the best for THIS dummy.
Review: The authors have maybe a bit too much expertise and experience to effectively write for "dummies" like myself. Somehow after reading this, I had just as many questions as before. Part of the problem is this book is way too comprehensive, covering such topics as sail-boarding. I would rather have had more in depth explainations of the basics and more diagrams/illustrations.
Rating:
Summary: Very good beginner book
Review: The book starts off so simple its almost insulting. For a beginner it is a great book. Look for a very simplified intro to boating. Questions like, "Why do boats float?" are the norm in chapter 1. Later chapters reveal very useful information such as what to wear, how to right a capsized dhingy, and how to lift your keel off the bottom. One small annoyance is the one author Peter Isler. He crewed on a victorious America's Cup boat. You will see a great deal of personal observances from him, referring to the cup and regular sailing. Its like a formula 1 driver talking street driving, sure he can drive on the street, but how many of us ever drive a formula one car?All in all a great book! Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Intro to Sailing
Review: This book is an excellent introduction to sailing for the first-timer. It covers all the basics and explains things in simple layman's terms. This book is not meant to be an encylclopedia, so some things like chart symbols and racing tactics are left out. However, after reading this book, anyone should have a firm grasp of the basics of sailing, and their appetite wetted.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Intro to Sailing
Review: This book is an excellent introduction to sailing for the first-timer. It covers all the basics and explains things in simple layman's terms. This book is not meant to be an encylclopedia, so some things like chart symbols and racing tactics are left out. However, after reading this book, anyone should have a firm grasp of the basics of sailing, and their appetite wetted.
Rating:
Summary: great
Review: This is a great book. The book starts out assuming that you know nothing about sailing. This was great because I don't. The book then takes you through the simplest things to the more complicated. Very good for a total beginner like me. In addition to the great information, the book is well written - "a good read".
Rating:
Summary: great
Review: This is a great book. The book starts out assuming that you know nothing about sailing. This was great because I don't. The book then takes you through the simplest things to the more complicated. Very good for a total beginner like me. In addition to the great information, the book is well written - "a good read".
Rating:
Summary: Sailing for Dummies
Review: This is an excellent sailing textbook - as the cover states it's "A Reference for the Rest of Us!" That is, it can be used as a beginner's book and then kept for use as a reference manual. I have read and re-read this book several times and each time I re-read it, something I didn't understand or fully comprehend "jumps out at me" and I become a better sailor because of the information contained within and imparted by this book.
Also, some people know their subject but are unable to teach others what they know. Both JJ and Peter not only know their subject, sailing, but are also very adept at transferring that knowledge to their readers, sailors and wannabe sailors!
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