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Alone Together: Sailing Solo to Hawaii and Beyond
What happens when a man of today's overconnected world sets off alone across the Pacific at the age of 71? Christian Williams, a veteran sailor and writer, planned a 6,000-mile voyage as a test of his own seamanship and endurance, and to fulfill a lifelong goal. But he found his focus quickly turning from the surrounding sea to all of us. Is anyone the same person when no one else is there? Do we dare to find out? In a new world of soaring seabirds, violent storms and majestic emptiness, Williams discovered answers to questions he had never asked about who we are, why we sail, and the universal fear of being alone. "Alone Together" is a complete technical course in offshore sailing technique and yacht preparation, and a philosophical inquiry into what it takes to be truly alive in the 21st century.
288 pages, Paperback
First published February 29, 2016
114 people are currently reading
177 people want to read
About the author
Christian Williams
6 books24 followersIn 15 years at The Washington Post Christian Williams served as arts editor of the Style Section and reporter on the investigative unit. In 1987 he moved to Los Angeles to write and produce television programs from "Hill Street Blues" to "Six Feet Under." He is the author of "Rarotonga," a novel (2019); "Lead, Follow or Get Out of the Way," a biography of Ted Turner (Times Books, 1981); "Alone Together: Sailing Solo to Hawaii and Beyond" (East Wind Press, 2016) and "Philosophy of Sailing" (2018). Williams has four children and lives in Pacific Palisades, CA, with his spouse, Tracy Olmstead Williams.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
August 8, 2018
I was first introduced to this story - Christian's journey via YouTube. I wasn't quite sure what to expect from the book. I did grab the audio version - which was also read by Christian. As a beginning sailor who goes out to the lake every chance I get - dreaming of the day I take on such a similar journey - I found the book very insightful and exciting. Christian's stories and how he tells shares them to me puts me in deep thought - be it on a plane ride home for work or driving in busy traffic. Christian is one author I would enjoy meeting if I had the chance. Great job Christian - look forward to another chapter of your life adventures.
October 19, 2017
New life goal: sail solo to Hawaii at age 71
September 17, 2016
Williams, a former Washington Post reporter decides to sail solo from Marina del Rey, CA (very close to LA) to Kauai, HI, and back. The title of this book is a hint of his tack in writing his story: alone, but writing as if I (the reader) am with him.
The story unfolds in mostly a linear way with a few "footnotes" in how he carried out certain preparations for the journey. I bought the audiobook version of this story, but I was inspired to read this story only because I just took a 3-day course in keelboat sailing. Going into the course, I was under the impression that sailing is a leisurely activity, but I now know that it requires a lot of effort, both mental and physical, even on a small sailboat with a crew. Thus, I was curious about how a solo sailor manages on the high seas.
I was not disappointed at all with all the details of Williams' journey. I thoroughly enjoyed his narrative and his tack of addressing me (the reader) as if I'm with him...worked! I felt like I was with him. Apart from the description of the journey and the many challenges, he throws in some wry observations about life, people, etc., which are all thoroughly enjoyable. There is a small part...a really small part...of the book where the narrative gets a little boring and I wished that he moved along, but apart from that the narrative is lively and interesting.
I feel several small changes in me already by reading this book, some mental and some that will need to be implemented for them to count as a change:
a. His ability to deal with failures of mechanical and electronic systems really inspired me to be more curious and more "can-do" in my approach to such failures in my devices.
b. His courage on setting off on such a voyage and much fearlessness during the voyage has inspired me to try more things where fear may have been a preventive factor. His solo voyage to Hawaii is probably beyond what I will ever try on my own, but I may very well get close to trying something like that during the rest of my life.
c. I've already started revisiting some of the many jazz albums that I have that have been collecting dust (figuratively). He re-kindled my love of jazz.
d. Several times during the voyage he cooks spaghetti with sauce made from scratch with plum tomatoes out of a can. I did that just last night and...the results were fabulous. Expect more spaghetti for dinner at home.
e. I will read about the other solo sailors that he mentions including Chichester and Slocum. I will also read Moby Dick. Maybe even Plutarch...maybe.
f. Next time I visit Hawaii, Kauai will definitely be on my itinerary. If I fly to Hawaii, I'll make it a point to rent a sailboat and engage in some recreational sailing there.
The story unfolds in mostly a linear way with a few "footnotes" in how he carried out certain preparations for the journey. I bought the audiobook version of this story, but I was inspired to read this story only because I just took a 3-day course in keelboat sailing. Going into the course, I was under the impression that sailing is a leisurely activity, but I now know that it requires a lot of effort, both mental and physical, even on a small sailboat with a crew. Thus, I was curious about how a solo sailor manages on the high seas.
I was not disappointed at all with all the details of Williams' journey. I thoroughly enjoyed his narrative and his tack of addressing me (the reader) as if I'm with him...worked! I felt like I was with him. Apart from the description of the journey and the many challenges, he throws in some wry observations about life, people, etc., which are all thoroughly enjoyable. There is a small part...a really small part...of the book where the narrative gets a little boring and I wished that he moved along, but apart from that the narrative is lively and interesting.
I feel several small changes in me already by reading this book, some mental and some that will need to be implemented for them to count as a change:
a. His ability to deal with failures of mechanical and electronic systems really inspired me to be more curious and more "can-do" in my approach to such failures in my devices.
b. His courage on setting off on such a voyage and much fearlessness during the voyage has inspired me to try more things where fear may have been a preventive factor. His solo voyage to Hawaii is probably beyond what I will ever try on my own, but I may very well get close to trying something like that during the rest of my life.
c. I've already started revisiting some of the many jazz albums that I have that have been collecting dust (figuratively). He re-kindled my love of jazz.
d. Several times during the voyage he cooks spaghetti with sauce made from scratch with plum tomatoes out of a can. I did that just last night and...the results were fabulous. Expect more spaghetti for dinner at home.
e. I will read about the other solo sailors that he mentions including Chichester and Slocum. I will also read Moby Dick. Maybe even Plutarch...maybe.
f. Next time I visit Hawaii, Kauai will definitely be on my itinerary. If I fly to Hawaii, I'll make it a point to rent a sailboat and engage in some recreational sailing there.
October 11, 2020
I stumbled onto Christian Williams' YouTube sailing channel as I do with most other sailing channels--having an episode suggested by Google, based on all the other videos that I'm watching. So I watched Christian's episode about a solo crossing from LA to Hawaii on his 32 ft sailboat.
YouTube has become filthy with sailing channels, mostly sporting you couples figuring out how to live on their boat and with the female half of the pair taking up enough camera time to draw viewers in.
Williams' channel was different. He's a solo sailor and an older guy, with no 20-something partner to serve as click bait. Instead, he simple talks about his voyages and about what sailing means to him. I sat up straight when I heard him quoting Herodotus on his channel (or was it Thucydides)? In any case, I realized that Williams filled in a huge gap in the YouTube sailing pantheon, his videos containing intelligent thoughts by a clearly well educated man. I was hooked.
In "Alone Together", Christian writes about his solo journey on "Thelonious", his 32 ft Ericson, from California to Hawaii and then back again. Christian's story is introspective, but written in a way that asks what we think about what he thinks. In between the philosophy, he shares with us the actual mechanics of crossing the ocean on such a small boat (going below is sometimes akin to trying to stand up on a fast ride at the fair).
"Alone Together" is a must read, not just for any would be solo sailors, but also for anyone who spends time thinking about what it means to be alone in our current always-connected culture.
YouTube has become filthy with sailing channels, mostly sporting you couples figuring out how to live on their boat and with the female half of the pair taking up enough camera time to draw viewers in.
Williams' channel was different. He's a solo sailor and an older guy, with no 20-something partner to serve as click bait. Instead, he simple talks about his voyages and about what sailing means to him. I sat up straight when I heard him quoting Herodotus on his channel (or was it Thucydides)? In any case, I realized that Williams filled in a huge gap in the YouTube sailing pantheon, his videos containing intelligent thoughts by a clearly well educated man. I was hooked.
In "Alone Together", Christian writes about his solo journey on "Thelonious", his 32 ft Ericson, from California to Hawaii and then back again. Christian's story is introspective, but written in a way that asks what we think about what he thinks. In between the philosophy, he shares with us the actual mechanics of crossing the ocean on such a small boat (going below is sometimes akin to trying to stand up on a fast ride at the fair).
"Alone Together" is a must read, not just for any would be solo sailors, but also for anyone who spends time thinking about what it means to be alone in our current always-connected culture.
March 28, 2020
I can’t get enough of Christian Williams’ writing and his YouTube videos. Having read Williams' debut novel Rarotonga (published Oct. 2019) first, followed by reading his tour de force philosophical inquiry and memoir Philosophy of Sailing: Offshore in Search of the Universe (published 2018), I was primed to dive into Alone Together: Sailing Solo to Hawaii and Beyond (published 2016).
I unintentionally read this author in reverse order. I recommend others do the same. Before reading Christian Williams, however, I recommend readers watch his unassuming but occassionally transcendent YouTube videos. Williams’ video logs, ostensibly about the ins and outs of sailing his sloops first Thelonious and then Thelonious II, will provide readers a sense of the author’s expansive world view, his wry sense of humor, his capacity for introspection, and his ability to cut through distractions to see things clearly.
Alone Together: Sailing Solo to Hawaii and Beyond is Williams’ earliest sailing memoir recounting the discoveries, trials, and joys of a solo sailing voyage from southern California some 2,700 miles to Kaua’i and back aboard his 32-foot sloop Thelonious, named after jazz legend Thelonious Monk. Sailing "single-handedly" proves to be a human construct. Williams invites the reader along as first mate and confidant. Passing beyond the breakwater of Marina del Ray, you’ll relish the journey as you peer over Williams' shoulder.
Excerpt pg. 151:
Review of Rarotonga: A Novel
Review of Philosophy of Sailing: Offshore in Search of the Universe
I unintentionally read this author in reverse order. I recommend others do the same. Before reading Christian Williams, however, I recommend readers watch his unassuming but occassionally transcendent YouTube videos. Williams’ video logs, ostensibly about the ins and outs of sailing his sloops first Thelonious and then Thelonious II, will provide readers a sense of the author’s expansive world view, his wry sense of humor, his capacity for introspection, and his ability to cut through distractions to see things clearly.
Alone Together: Sailing Solo to Hawaii and Beyond is Williams’ earliest sailing memoir recounting the discoveries, trials, and joys of a solo sailing voyage from southern California some 2,700 miles to Kaua’i and back aboard his 32-foot sloop Thelonious, named after jazz legend Thelonious Monk. Sailing "single-handedly" proves to be a human construct. Williams invites the reader along as first mate and confidant. Passing beyond the breakwater of Marina del Ray, you’ll relish the journey as you peer over Williams' shoulder.
Excerpt pg. 151:
For years I kept a favorite koan over my work table, taken from “Zenrin Kushu,” the collection of ancient sayings.
You cannot get it by taking thought.
You cannot get it by not taking thought.
While brushing my teeth it came to me in a flash what “it” was. “It” was nothing. We are all striving for something we can’t define, and which has no attributes or properties.
Review of Rarotonga: A Novel
Review of Philosophy of Sailing: Offshore in Search of the Universe
December 2, 2017
I've always wanted to read a book about sailing alone across the open seas. In Sailing Alone, author Christian Williams takes us all aboard with him as though we are his sailing companions. Very entertaining. Very thoughtful as we consider our electronic and interconnected word (or bubble) that travels with us. Only by being along and unconnected for a considerable time do we actually unconnect (disconnect?). We travel without safety nets and face real risk. Whether with others or on your own, I highly recommend Alone Together. At the end the boat sinks and the author dies.. NO wait.. that's Titanic.
May 31, 2018
I wish the stars were more nuanced...I would give 3.5 stars. Good story, kept me interested most of the time and I did finish it. It could get in the weeds a bit, the author narrated the Audible version and occasionally I would be bored enough to switch to something else for a while. I am glad I stuck with it and I did learn a lot about what it means to sail solo. This was a hell of a trip and I respect the author 10/10 for doing it and making it home.
February 6, 2019
I really liked this book --- I watched Mr. Williams' video of the trip and found it okay.. but the book is much more interesting.
One of the things he successfully does is ask you to come along and makes you feel as though youa re part of that trip.
And when he frames some of the work he does on the book, it is a good way to separate that part of his boat from the narrative of the story
One of the things he successfully does is ask you to come along and makes you feel as though youa re part of that trip.
And when he frames some of the work he does on the book, it is a good way to separate that part of his boat from the narrative of the story
April 12, 2019
Wonderful yarn on going it alone across the ocean for months. Great flashbacks on getting the boat ready.
Wonderful yarn on going it alone across the ocean for months. Great flashbacks on getting the boat ready. I am a bit intimidated by the asides on the author’s sailing history. Can I go if I’m not as experienced? I don’t know.
Wonderful yarn on going it alone across the ocean for months. Great flashbacks on getting the boat ready. I am a bit intimidated by the asides on the author’s sailing history. Can I go if I’m not as experienced? I don’t know.
December 8, 2020
I must confess to reading Christian Williams’ books out of order, but his solo sailing journeys to Hawaii and back provide an excellent adventure story. His writing style is extremely personable and provides connection points for the reader to be immersed in everything happening. Take time to read this book and experience being alone.
February 27, 2023
His story of yachting to Hawaii by himself. resonated with this smarter more talented kindred spirit! I enjoyed stream of consciousness writing style, his interests, his yacht (Thelonious after the jazz artist whom i don't care for, but i like that he named his boat after him haha), really stirred the sense of adventure.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 6, 2018
It is a very informative book. I think I wanted a bit more of why he wanted to do it. How he felt our there living a dream. A little wanderlust, if you will. This book didn’t really fuel my dream to do long distance sailing. It did bring a bit of realism to it I suppose.
August 22, 2018
Travel by book is wonderful as it lets me go places and do things that I would not be able to do. This book took me to Hawaii from California and back, both through the water and what Christian Williams was thinking about it as he did. It was wonderful experience.
August 26, 2018
I absolutely loathed the writing style of talking directly to me, the reader, and I couldn’t get past chapter two. I was listening to the audiobook and felt like I was listening to a man in solitary confinement muttering to himself as he slowly went insane.
March 31, 2020
This book was extraordinary! I think I’ve watched all of Mr. Williams’ YouTube videos, which meant I read his book in his voice. I can’t remember the last time I laughed this hard while feeling the adventure like I was actually there. I can’t wait to read his next book!
June 24, 2023
Truly a wonderful book. Educational, philosophical, adventurous, well written, and just fun. If you haven't checked out the author's youtube page, he has great sailing videos there, including the trip that inspired this book. https://www.youtube.com/user/cdw000/v...
October 24, 2017
I think this is my new favorite book...
January 5, 2018
Great book. Just great. This is true living. I wonder when I will set finally sail myself.
March 15, 2018
Wonderful story that fills me with admiration
A story about a 71 year old who challenges himself and the world in a wonderfully self deprecating style. Thoroughly enjoyable.
A story about a 71 year old who challenges himself and the world in a wonderfully self deprecating style. Thoroughly enjoyable.
December 27, 2018
Thoroughly enjoyable read. Williams is an erudite yet humble shipmate.
February 18, 2020
Just fantastic.
April 21, 2020
Entertaining wit and wisdom.
Laughed out loud so many times reading this. Mix adventure with wry humor and this is your book. Very enjoyable.
Laughed out loud so many times reading this. Mix adventure with wry humor and this is your book. Very enjoyable.
July 23, 2020
What a great writer!
Self reflective. Open. Curious. Confident. Unsure. Williams allows the reader to accompany him on his voyage. We’re better for it.
Self reflective. Open. Curious. Confident. Unsure. Williams allows the reader to accompany him on his voyage. We’re better for it.
March 11, 2024
Funny, smart, helpful...this is what happens when a retired brilliant journalist sets out to write about his adventures sailing
September 13, 2025
As far as sailing books go, 4.5 stars. Not overly wordy, good story telling, and lots of nuggets for me, the aspiring sailor.
July 24, 2022
I saw Williams’ YouTube mini-documentary about his incredible trip before I read the book. His voice is so incredibly entertaining (if maybe a teeny bit repetitively affected) that I would happily listen to him describe a walk to the corner store. He’s funny and intellectual and surprisingly soft around the edges. And he is clearly a teacher at heart, which makes for great listening when you want to learn.
March 11, 2021
I listened to this on Audible. It really feels like a grandparent telling you a story about the time they went sailing across the ocean. It's also very informative about sailing while maintaining a great balance of story-telling and sailing technique. Even if your not interested in sailing, or like me have never been sailing, you would probably enjoy this story. I would also describe the author as 100% authentic in his approach to doling out wisdom. In fact, I'd love the chance to meet him someday, perhaps go sailing together or alone or alone together.
December 28, 2016
I loved this book. I'm just getting interested in sailing and after stumbling onto Mr. William's YouTube video about this trip I decided to buy the book. It exceeded my expectations. Williams is a gifted storyteller who takes you along, like a friend, with just the right amount of humor. I hope Thelonious II gets out on the deep blue sea soon. I'd love a follow up.
November 1, 2016
Great read, fun and entertaining. The prequel video is wonderful. https://youtu.be/28TAdDu5L6U
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews