Many of my fondest childhood memories took place on the ocean. I've always found it soothing, and it's difficult for me to think a more beautiful scene in nature than a calm ocean sunset. In the hopes of keeping the ocean a part of my life, I read this book to introduce myself to the world of sailing.

I really enjoyed reading this book. It is much like a sailing "textbook" in that it provides enough technical knowledge and detail that, after some studying, would be enough for the reader to get started tacking and jibing in a small boat of his own under calm conditions. But it is also very much not like a textbook as the author lets his passion for the sport shine through with occasional eloquence more like you would find in a novel. I dream that someday soon I will get to apply what I learned and develop a similar passion.

Everything you need to know. A good first book about sailing. But, this is not a textbook ONLY. It is fun to read and also show the philosophy of traditional sailing. It's not about being the smartest or fastest in the competitions. It's about joy and having fun while staying safe on the sea.

A difficult read. This reads like a textbook. There's a whole lot of new boat terminology in sailing, even for those of us who are retired Navy.

This book covers just about everything you'll want to know about sailing. It starts with the basics- the left side of the boat is port. It then goes through intermediate knowledge (wind speed is interesting but not that useful, wind pressure is crucial). Then into the hard stuff (jibing with a spinnaker? Seriously?? I thought cruel and unusual punishment had been abolished).

The book includes some amusing anecdotes, such as sounds you don't want to hear when you're sailing in fog and can't see anything- a Good Humor truck (yikes!)

If you're a beginning or intermediate sailor, this is an excellent book.

I bought this book for research purposes. A really great reference book. It has a lot of illustrations, which makes things easier to understand for someone who is trying to grasp the basics of sailing. Seems like this would be good for either a beginner or seasoned sailor. Much easier to understand than Sailing for Dummies.

Probably as good as a book about learning to sail can be. The illustrations are lovely and the prose has a real gleam in its eye.

I haven't drowned yet.

Great introduction to the art of sailing. I'm just starting out, but this is both a good read and a good reference, so I expect to return to it many times in the years to come.

I especially appreciated the drawings, which simply and clearly explain difficult concepts and terminology.

Cute but very helpful illustrations, clear explanations of just about everything that seemed complicated before reading, and confirmation of stuff I thought I knew

Note that my rating is based on a single read through, and without going on a boat yet. There were parts I definitely enjoyed and found interesting, but it was also difficult to slog through jargon, not all of which was well explained. I think it would be better both to go between boat and the book some, and to do multiple read throughs.

Pros: A great introduction to sailing, enough to jumpstart your knowledge. The illustrations are great and give the book a handcraft feel.

Cons: The book could easily be international but makes brief references to the USA geography and weather patterns, sometimes not disclosing that its talking about the USA. It could easily use international metric system along the imperial one.

I was given this book by my boyfriend who has been sailing his whole life. I probably would have given this more stars if I had a boat to apply what I learned. It was, however, easy to understand for someone who knew absolutely nothing about sailing. Also I did notice that after I read this book I was able to better comprehend my boyfriend's family's sailing stories.

When I consider how many other books I have given five stars, I feel remiss giving this one only four. Because if I need to recommend to a beginner what book will teach him or her to sail, this is the book. It is solid and simple, immediately comprehensible and clearly illustrated. It also enough for all but the most advanced sailor.

It's also a friendly book one that welcomes neophytes and doesn't act as if sailing is either a religion or a strictly empirical exercise. Sailing, in fact, is something in between these two, and this book acknowledges the desire for an aesthetic experience that sailing represents.

This is the book I bought my wife when she wanted to learn to sail.

For beginners, this is the best sailing book I've found.

I think this is a classic book of beginner's sailing instruction. It's quite easy to follow and to understand, with excellent, clear, cartoon-like illustrations (very effective, in my opinion). Though aimed at beginning sailors, possibly at rather young sailors in fact, it dives right in and introduces all the nomenclature and parts of a boat, how to sail at all points of the wind, and so on. Highly recommended.