Boats Reviews

The Maggie B is one of my favorite books! It took me a decade to replace my original copy, but the search was worthwhile. Young or old will love the rich illustrations and beautiful prose.

It has been at least 20 years since I read this book...And in my memory has remained my most favorite childhood book. I must have read it over one hundred times...it truly captivated me... I dreamed of being Maggie and having her responsibilities- they seemed so adult yet so much fun! My one and only disappointment with this book is that in the paperback I have, every other page is in black and white. And Irene Haas' beautiful water colors are the main reason I returned to The Maggie B. over and over again. I'm wondering if the hardcover is different or newer copies are different...I'm expecting my first child, and if it's a girl I will definately be reading this to her!!!

This is one of the most gorgeaus illustrations we have come accross. The story is imaginative and very visual, the illustrations go perfectly and really make you feel like you have just taken a ride on the Maggie B.
I recommend this one!

To me, "Polar, The Titanic Bear" is a precious book because it has so many fascinating dimensions to it. On the one hand, it is a charmingly written children's story about a child's stuffed polar bear and the journeys it takes with it's master around the world, culminating ultimately aboard the Titanic. Second, it is a must have for Titanic scholars as it provides us with insight into the Spedden family that traveled in First Class and survived the disaster by getting into Boat #3. The father, Frederic Spedden, was one of the few First Class male passengers who was so fortunate as so many other men that night died.

But finally, there is the extra poignance that this story takes on because of what it ultimately represents, and that is the love of a mother for her son in writing this book and presenting it to him as a Christmas gift, as Daisy Spedden did for eight year old Douglas. The closing narration of Polar reflects the hopes and wishes all parents have for their children, "I hope he will be blessed with a long and happy life" and then you find out that Douglas, after surviving the Titanic, lost his life just a year later at age nine when he was struck by a car while at his parents summer home. Only the hardest of hard-hearted people could not be moved to tears by learning that. In the end, as we read ultimately of how the Speddens were able to move on from this tragedy in their lives, this helps make "Polar" filled with more insights for adults than the average children's book might have. No Titanic enthusiast can afford to be without this book.

I think this is an excellent way to present the Titanic story to children. The story is told from Polar's point of view which helps to hold the children's attention. I am an elementary education major and I just read this book in one of my classes at my university for a project. I read it with the Titanic Suite playing in the background. I do not think one classmate of mine blinked during my entire presentation. This book is also wonderful for children because it does not focus on the devastation of the Titanic voyage, but rather the joyous times between a bear, his master, and his family.

This book has much to offer, for young readers and for adults. It is a wonderful glimpse into history, told from the perspective of a Steiff polar bear, who is very much a part of the life of young Douglas Spedden. His family's travels and his young life unfold in a beautiful text that is illustrated with sensitive illustrations and historical photographs. The Speddens traveled on the ill-fated Titanic. The incredible drama of that event unfolds in the most personal narrative. The magnficent beauty of the ship is conveyed as the family enjoys its commodious luxury. The drama of its sinking is compelling as well as touching in the describtion of the heartbreaking separation of Polar from young Douglas. This is how a young child would remember such an event. Fortunately, Polar is found and reunited with his friend.

The story behind the story is as wondeful as the book itself. Leighton H. Coleman III found this wonderful manuscript in his grandfather's barn. It was written by his cousin, Daisy Spedden. How brilliant of a mother to convert a traumatizing event into a story for her little boy! Her tender insight, the wonder of discovery and the perfect blending of history and narrative--ocean liners, wonderful bears--all of these components make this a perfect children's book that is both educational and entertaining (for parents, too!). I have given scores of copies to my friends with children and to my many adult friends who are fascinated by ocean liners and the Titanic. The book is well-crafted with much to offer.

I am in love with the great liner that took her first and last voyage over 86 years ago. Titanic's 45,000 ton body was built in Belfast, Ireland, and now rests two miles under the sea! For many, many decades the question was put, over and over again- where exactly is the great liner in the sea?The question (along with many other questions) were answered when Robert D. Ballard discovered the long lost ship. Ballard's book, "Exploring the Titanic" takes you 12,460 feet under water to Titanic herself. "Exploring Titanic" has wonderful pictures, graphics, diagrams and intense information. Even though it is written for about the age of 8, adults might find interest in the book as well. I would have given it a 10, but graphics are not as clear as they could be, and is written quite simply.

For as long as Robert Ballard can remember, he has been fascinated by the sea. In school he studied marine geology and dreamed of searching for the wreckage of the Titanic. He had the scientific training and experience to head this type of excursion, but had difficulty finding others that believed in his dream. But Ballard did not give up on his hope and eventually teamed up with a group of French scientists to search for the ship's remains. With little information about the exact location of the wreckage and not much time, Ballard and the French team worked non-stop. Using sophisticated underwater tracking devices, Ballard and crew finally found traces of the ship on one of their last days at sea. Word of the discovery spread throughout the world and the crew were greeted as heroes when they returned home. The next year, Ballard returned to the Titanic again and explored it in a submarine.

Ballard tells the whole story of the Titanic from her construction to that fateful night in April, 1912. Interwoven throughout the book are excellent pictures and photographs and several eyewitness accounts of survivors. I highly recommend this book to anyone who would like a complete history of the Titanic.

I first read this book almost 15 years ago, at age 5 : I loved it, and read it uncountable times. Today it is still just as fascinating. Beautifully illustrated and clearly written, it was the first of many Ballard books that I read. I would also recommend the Discovery of the Bismark and The Wreck of the Isis, just as interesting but less well known. A great way to start reading about the great ships of the past.

It reads a lot like "Soldat" by Siefried Knappe, for those of you who enjoy reading about the ground war also. I mean that as a compliment--both books give a good balance of operational detail with personal experience and insight, for a thoroughly enjoyable read.

"Iron Coffins," by Herbert A. Werner is a wonderfully written and compelling history based on Werner's personal experience as a U-boat officer and captain from 1942 to 1945, including his periodic leaves ashore in France and Germany.
"Iron Coffins" describes with precision and tense drama Werner's war patrol experiences that mirrored the parabolic history of the overall German war machine from its relentless trajectory to brief domination, followed by a startlingly abrupt containment and gradual reversal, and culminating in its final accelerating decline into virtual annihilation.
This book surprised me in several ways. That Werner, a U-boat alpha-warrior of exceptional skill, instinct, success and luck, should be also so capable with a pen gives the story a solid foundation of credibility and authenticity, even as Werner's subjective view changes tremendously with the fortunes of war from that of the eager, proud, young super-warrior to the final devastating and very personal realization of the role he had inadvertently played in the destruction of his own family, friends, countrymen, and country. The madness of war becomes clear to the defeated.
Another surprise is the almost unbelievable string of luck that protected Werner and his crews from destruction from a seemingly inexhaustible and relentless stream of depth charges, aerial bombs, and mines, on top of the threat of normal mechanical failures and emergencies that existed in U-boats. That Werner survived to write this book is a wonder. In surviving, he beat odds of several hundred to one against him.
A factual surprise that is made more powerful and dramatic by Werner's personal perspective is the jolting suddenness of the turning point in the Battle of the North Atlantic. On March 26, 1943, Werner triumphantly returned to port in France for repairs and replenishment after another in an uninterrupted string of victorious patrols spent torpedoing tens of thousands of tons of allied merchant shipping. On April 24 he returned to patrol and within days German radio reports of U-boat sinkings started to mount alarmingly and inexplicably. Allied technological advances and its air and naval surface escort superiority had been firmly established over the U-boat wolfpacks in the space of about one month. The U-boats, and Germany, never recovered.
In my opinion, this book ranks at the pinnacle of its submarine warfare history genre alongside the stellar "Clear the Bridge," by Richard O'Kane, one of America's most aggressive and most decorated WWII submarine commanders. Of final interest that reflects back on this story's ending is the fact that Mr. Werner came to the United States in 1947 and became an American citizen.

This book is a MUST read for any WWII enthusiast. This book is not a documentary account of WWII submarine tactics, but a first hand account of Werner's thrilling land and sea adventures. This book details the gripping accounts of Werner's victories at sea as well as his personal family losses that took their toll toward the end of the war.

During the 2nd WW, I spent a good deal of time selling newspapers in the days before vending machines took over. I now live in Huntsville, Al. so thought I should read something by this author,who is best known for "Rocket Boys." However,when I came across this title, I decided to go with U-boats. It was a subject which had great news exposure in the papers I sold . Well I never realized how close the sea war really was to our shores in the early going. This is an well documented account of Nazi sub activity which was apparently kept quiet at the time. As a matter of fact there are so many accounts of ship sinkings that I almost gave up reading Torpedo Junction; rather like having to endure a losing football team for several seasons. This all changes at about p.200 when Hickman proceeds to give a most exciting account of a battle twixt the 'Icarus'(coast guard cutter) and U-352 which was the first German submarine sunk by our side . If you are interested in this aspect of the war which was a critical effort in which we were losing badly, this is your book. For those who like their desert first, start on p 200 of the paperback edition. If you are a "senior" like me get the nore expensive edition with larger type!

Torpedo Junction is one of the most exciting and action filled books I have read. It covers the early U-boat war off the East coast. I could not believe that the U-boats were doing so much damage to the U.S. shipping lanes and how long it took the U.S. Navy to do something about it: examples; Ships running with their running lights on at night, no black outs laws for towns and city's located up and down the coast line, ships being able to run by themselves instead of in convoys like the British had already suggested. This book was really hard to put down. A ton of action for only $.... I would buy this book again!

I truly had no idea the extent of what the US faced off of its shores. Hickam's account is eye-opening to say the least.

Before I read this book I had little-to-no interest in U-Boats or the struggle the found themselves engaged in. Hickam, pulled me in, kept me up late, and made me buy more books on U-Boats.

A great book overall.

I LOVED this book! I like the way Ms. Hoh has characters in both first and third class, so we get a view on how it is in more than one area of the ship. Of course, I must say, it does sound familiar. I mean, if you don't get it, Elizabeth, is destined to marry Alan Reed, a man she doesn't love, then, she meets Max Whittaker, falls in love with him, but her mother dissaproves. Doesn't that sound an awful lot like the move, Titanic, to you? Not to say that I didn't enjoy this book, I mean, it really is great. The third class passengers(Max and Elizabeth are in first class), Katie, Brian, and Paddy, have nothing to do with the movie, but personally, I found them kind of dull and boring. Not that everyone would, but, well, I was expecting better. The main idea is that Brian, Paddy's brother, falls in love with this girl Marta, and Katie starts to fall in love with Paddy, but Paddy is mad at Brian, because he thinks that Brian and Katie are a couple, so even though he loves Katie, he doesn't say so, because he is afraid of stepping into his brother's "territory." Well, it may sound interesting, but it really isn't. I'd say that Max and Elizabeth are much more interesting, but you can be the judge of that. I really do recomend it, really, I do. It may seem crazy, but I've read it twelve times. Don't beleive me? Well, if you see what a GREAT book it is, you'll see why. So, my conclusion? You HAVE to read this book!!!!! It is a total must-read!!!

I loved this book. It told the story of the ill-fated ocean liner, the Titanic, which sank on her first and final voyage, on April 15, 1912, taking with it the lives of 1,500 people. The story is told through the stories of five fictional teenagers. In first class are Elizabeth Farr and Max Whittaker. In third class are Katie Hanrahan and Brian and Patrick Kelleher. What will happen to these characters when the Titanic hits an iceberg and sinks? Read to find out!

Brilliant story of the Titanic sinking. Found this book on a shelf in my English teacher's room and rest is history. Summary: 1st class passenger Elizabeth Farr is a spoiled 17 year old who is expected by her parents to go through a debut then marry a rich but boring banker, whom she doesn't even love. She tries desperately to get her parents to cancel the debut and the engagement and let her go to college at Vassar. During the trip she meets Max Whittaker, an amateur artist who left his parents to study art in Paris. Elizabeth decides to look to Max for advice on how to defy her parents and live on her own. As Max shows his strong support for Elizabeth, the two fall in love, but while Elizabeth's parents object to her seeing Max, they still allow because Max's parents are close friends. In 3rd class, 3 Irish teens also go on the Titanic to a new life in America. Katie Hanrahan wants to go and become a singer. Traveling with her are 2 brothers, Brian and Paddy Kelleher. Brian is looking to become a farmer while Paddy hopes to be a famous writer. During the trip, Katie discovers a hidden love for Paddy, but she doesn't want to fall in love with him, because he had a reputation back home as a heart breaker. Paddy meanwhile believes that Katie has plans to fall for Brian instead while Katie tries to convince him it's untrue. All the collisions and romances before the fateful night are put to the test when disaster strikes. Hearts will be broken, families torn apart. WHO WILL LIVE TO TELL THE TALE OF THE TITANIC? Reaction: Brilliant story told from the high and low classes. The timing between classes is very confusing and jumbled but on the other hand, this story has great unpredictability that will have you not sleep until you know who lives and dies.READ IT! IT IS DEFINITELY WORTH IT!

A book of tremendous force. A tragedy expertly transformed into determination and hope, a powerful tribute to life, to love and courage. Intensely gripping, this book swept me into a world so real that I could smell and hear the backdrops.

I wept at the triumphant ending, at Hanna's indomitable spirit, her humor and her abiding love for mankind. Lady Crawford and Gerda are marvelous characters, as are all, but Hanna herself is outstanding.

Hanna Sommerfiled, the protaganist of this book is certainly among the most unforgettable characters I have ever read.

A book that had my jaw dropped, a book I could not put down. Maureen Earl has written a book of such power, such poignancy, and a book that everyone should read.

This is an important book, showing the triumph of human nature. The sheer grit of this story is amazing.

How this book is not a best seller is beyond me. The author had written a story with such eloquence and care, and blended meticulous research into one of the most human stories I have ever read. BOAT OF STONE is a testimony to the triumph of the human spirit. None of the reviews do the book justice, it is a SPLENDID book! A book that will be read for many, many years to come. And a book that I was able to find ONLY at Amazon, having had it recommended to me so much, but unable to find in bookstores. Read it. You will be enthralled.

I'm a sailor & I really liked this book, although you don't have to sail to appreciate the story. In each chapter Bode tells a tale from his youth about sailing his small blue sloop off of Long Island. He weaves in some of the life-lessons he's learned from reflecting on those experiences without being too sappy about it. Bode is also able to convey some of the intangible reasons why sailors love sailing, reasons that are sometimes hard to articulate. Overall, this book is a quick, light, inspirational read. It's a perfect gift for any pensive sailors in your life.

This is just a good book. I would recommend this book to anyone who is in love with the water. First you have to Row a Little Boat by Richard Bode is a wonderful book about reflection on life and living. I can truthfully say that this book is the best book I have ever read. R. Bode uses his young life as a sailor to show philosophical views on life, and what views they are! I feel a connection to Mr. Bode's childhood. I too have a little blue boat that I love so much and sail during the summer. In this book I have learned that the fastest way to a certain spot is not a strait line, but a zig zagging one. Just simple sailing lessons like this one can relate to everyday life and help a person through it. If you are a sailor too you will easily relate to this book in that same way as I have. The wonderful way that Richard Bode writes this book is that everyone, who is a sailor, can relate, but in his/her own ways. Everyone draws from his/her own experiences but gets the same result, understanding life. I really enjoyed reading this book. It brought up ideas in my mind that I would have never though of otherwise. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who likes sailing.

From Joan Mazza, author of DREAMING YOUR REAL SELF, DREAM BACK YOUR LIFE, FROM DREAMS TO DISCOVERY and THINGS THAT TICK ME OFF.

Richard Bode has given us a beautiful book to savor and ponder. I read this straight through in one day-a rare event for me, since I always read several very different books at a time. FIRST YOU HAVE TO ROW A LITTLE BOAT had me totally engaged and I kept marking paragraphs and writing WOW in the margins. On page 145 he says, "If every man and woman were to take the meaning of their life and pursue it passionately, they would alter the social landscape overnight. In fact, that's how lasting revolutions are made-not by the raised arm of the masses, not by the military seizure of power, not by the political coup d'état, but by individuals asserting who they are one at a time." WOW.

His use of sailing as metaphor worked beautifully for me, even though I don't sail. His comments (page 32) about listening to the wind instead of holding tightly to dogma and rigidity were eloquent bordering on poetry. Very inspiring.

Nick Schade's book on strip building kayaks is well worth the read, if you are looking for some inspiration. It is well laid out and on the whole gives you the information you need. You might decide you want to skip the difficulties of lofting your own plans and just buy some, but if you are math minded and put in the hours, this book has enough information to build a very nice kayak without the need for buying plans.

This is the best book I have ever seen on the subject of strip built technique. I have read this book, several times, and created a boat based on the designs from the author. This book has ALL the information needed to make a beautiful kayak. It is my primary shop reference, with specific details on design, how to assemble the strips, how to fair the boat, how to fiberglass, how to outfit and finish the boat. The steps are described in detail, and richly illustrated with informative pictures.

Thank you Nick Schade for your excellent book, your superb website and your magnificent boats. I picked this boat for all the wrong reasons. I had not paddled one, or evaluated the technical merits of it's design with respect to other boats. I didn't do a cost-benefit analysis or listen to the advice of friends. When I saw that boat, she stole my heart. Honestly, I can't imagine being happier with a boat if I had done all those other things anyway.

To think that by using what I learned in your book, in thirteen short weeks I watched a bundle of sticks and a roll of blueprints metamorphose into a such a beatutiful creature, is almost incredible. She may have come out of my basement through my hands, but she's your creation too, and I thank you for helping me make it real.

The single biggest disadvantage to having a boat made from this book is that it takes much longer to launch, because everyone around wants to know where you got such a lovely boat. This book will get you there, so plan ahead for the delays now.

Sincerely,

Ed Valley

This is the best "how-to" book I've read. Five months ago I had two plastic kayaks and knew absolutely nothing about kayak-building. I bought this book, after wandering into Nick's website. Now I'm starting my second wooden kayak and contemplating a lineup of other wooden boats to follow. Why? Because Nick's enthisiasm is infectious, and his humanity, his good humor, his attention to detail, and his love of what he does are everywhere in this book. This is the book I come back to over and over. Don't be discouraged by an earlier review from a man well-known to the online kayak-building community for his consistent disparagement and negativity. My one criticism of the book? I wish it had more color pictures of these beautiful boats so I could show others to explain my enthusiasm.

I don't give out many 5 star reviews. But this one definitely qualifies. If you have an electrical or mechanical problem start here. Lots of good, well explained information for those of use who are not experts. This book was a great help in redoing my electrical system, as well as helping me understand numerous systems on my boat. Calder covers how things work, limitations, purchase and design considerations, integration with other systems and practical pros and cons. Would I buy this again? ABSOLUTELY-I can recommend this book with no limitations.

If I only had room for one book on my boat, this one would be it. I have yet to find a subject not extremely well covered. My wife and I are preparing for long-term cruising, including a circumnavigation. Calder's books, especially this one, have been great resources for learning how to install and maintain nearly every major (and minor) system. Most importantly, a lot of manuals for installed equipment were missing when we purchased this boat (a Tayana V-42), and Calder filled in many needed blanks. Having this reference on board, I feel very confident in being able to handle the inevitable problems that Murphy's Law predicts.

Having completed the our first year as full-time live-aboard cruisers, currently in the Sea of Cortez, we find that this book to be essential reading. The information is presented in easily understandable terms and sufficient detail to assist in solving most mysteries of marine systems. By it and take it with you!