Maggie's Farm

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Saturday, March 3. 2018

QQQ

A ship is safe in harbor, but that's not what ships are for.


John A. Shedd

Posted by The Barrister in Quotidian Quotable Quote (QQQ) at 16:40 | Comments (11) | Trackbacks (0)

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For those of you who have never read Rudyard Kipling's "Captains' Courageous" I highly recommend it. It's the story of a young boy who joins a fishing crew by accident. It's sort of like "A Portrait of Dorian Gray" but in reverse. I suppose Jack London's "Call of the Wild" also falls into the same category; as an allegory for experience and education.

And then, of course, there is Herman Melville's "Moby-Dick." But this book doesn't have the redeeming qualities of the other novels.

There are so many seafaring stories, but two of my favorites are "Treasure Island" and "Mutiny on the Bounty."
#1 Ron Liebermann on 2018-03-03 18:33 (Reply)
Moby Dick has been described by some as a treatise on various whales and their hunting wrapped in a mediocre plot.

Good for a long weekend's read, but having read it once I feel no desire to read it a second time.
#1.1 jlawson on 2018-03-04 12:39 (Reply)
If you like sea stories, with history, you can't beat the Aubrey novels by Patrick O'Brian. Think there are 18 or 19, I have them on the shelf but am too lazy to look. Have read them two or three times, envy some one who hasn't rear them yet. William Buckley thought they were the best.
#2 Oldblood on 2018-03-03 18:58 (Reply)
I'll check it out!
#2.1 Ron Liebermann on 2018-03-03 19:15 (Reply)
There's 20 of them, with a started 21st... which leaves the series at a very good ending point, imho.
#2.2 jlawson on 2018-03-04 12:36 (Reply)
In many cases, particularly during storms, a ship is safest at sea.
#3 steve walsh on 2018-03-03 20:19 (Reply)
If you haven't read Dana's "Two Years Before the Mast" then you haven't read a seafaring novel :). Of course there are also the tomes by Joseph Conrad, which are mostly excellent as well.
#4 Aggie on 2018-03-03 21:03 (Reply)
Yes - a wonderful true tale
#4.1 BD on 2018-03-04 11:45 (Reply)
I read it yearrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrs ago. Probably in college, though coulda been in HS.
#4.2 Sam L. on 2018-03-04 11:56 (Reply)
I am almost done with Two Years Before the Mast and I have loved every minute. Interesting commentary about the people who settled California and the Missions. I collect books about the sea and sailing/exploration, I get lucky at estate sales. I am always amazed at the bravery of these men. May I recommend the following: Sailing Alone Around the World by Joshua Slocum, Gypsy Moth Circles the World by Sir Frances Chichester, The Incredible Voyage by Tristan Jones, The Last Time Around Cape Horn by William Stark and New Chum by John Masefield. All true stories and they will make your heart beat a little faster!
#5 dianainsa on 2018-03-04 22:50 (Reply)
The best place to collect books is a a St. Vincent store. The price is unbeatable and the bigger stores have a great selection.
#6 GoneWithTheWind on 2018-03-05 11:17 (Reply)

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