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A Smuggler's Guide to Good Manners: A True Story Of Terrifying Seas, Double-Dealing, And Love Across Three Oceans
A Smuggler’s Guide to Good Manners is a true story of wild seas, double dealing, and love across three oceans. It is a yarn still told in a hundred bars in tucked away ports where seafarers drink and wait out stormy weather. The story takes the reader on a smuggling voyage from the Atlantic down the Red Sea to Kenya, to Thailand and back across the Indian Ocean to Spain then the Netherlands. No notoriety, no articles in magazines, no calling for help when things get bad. Medical emergencies at sea, sharks, pirates, monsoon storms, and the Guardia Civil, notwithstanding… backing off was not an option. After 12 years of sailing and smuggling in the N. Atlantic and the Caribbean, Ranen, an old school pre electronic navigation sailor who smuggles to pay the bills for a lifestyle of dangerous freedom, heads for the Indian Ocean aboard his sleek deep ocean sailing boat, Sara. He left with a solid plan to sail new oceans, and do business in a new arena with different cultures. What happens when he gets there sends him on a path that was nothing he imagined, but such is the world of sailing and smuggling. Although Ranen has written this story in first person, It is also told from the perspective of the courageous young “Kenya Cowgirl” who became his crew and lover, all told through her journal entries from that voyage. In the days when “5/11” Beverly Johnson and Lynn Hill were winning the respect of the “rock star” climbers in Yosemite, Ranen was throwing a young Arianna Bell into the maelstrom of long distance non-stop sailing/smuggling. This is her story as well. Surprising twists of fate, cat and mouse with the law and other bad guys, as well as up close accounts of at life at sea in challenging conditions. Like living in a Dylan song.
297 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 4, 2017
96 people are currently reading
139 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
April 3, 2020
From the first page to the last, I absolutely fell in love with this book!
It’s an exciting story (and completely true) about sailing, smuggling, adventure, and romance. Ranen’s style of story telling is thrilling, and kept me up way past my bedtime because I couldn’t put the book down.
To quote from his memoir when discussing the allure of sailing, “Women are attracted to the romance, men to the adventure, and everyone to the freedom.” I would say the same thing about the book…it’s a great read for everybody.
It’s an exciting story (and completely true) about sailing, smuggling, adventure, and romance. Ranen’s style of story telling is thrilling, and kept me up way past my bedtime because I couldn’t put the book down.
To quote from his memoir when discussing the allure of sailing, “Women are attracted to the romance, men to the adventure, and everyone to the freedom.” I would say the same thing about the book…it’s a great read for everybody.
March 13, 2019
Great read
I really enjoyed this book. It is truly a page -turner. Couldn't wait to see how it ended. The reason for the 4 stars is that the author repeatedly informs the reader that everywhere they go they have the finest boat and that he and his partner are the smartest, most attractive people there.
I really enjoyed this book. It is truly a page -turner. Couldn't wait to see how it ended. The reason for the 4 stars is that the author repeatedly informs the reader that everywhere they go they have the finest boat and that he and his partner are the smartest, most attractive people there.
March 21, 2021
A fun read for the armchair adventure cruiser.
If Tristan Jones were a 70’s hippie turned smuggler he might be Kenny Ranen. Adventure, intrigue, exotic locales, dangerous high-seas, and a beautiful woman - What more can you want from a good seafaring yarn. It’s got it all with an “I don’t want to put it down/page turning” additive.
If Tristan Jones were a 70’s hippie turned smuggler he might be Kenny Ranen. Adventure, intrigue, exotic locales, dangerous high-seas, and a beautiful woman - What more can you want from a good seafaring yarn. It’s got it all with an “I don’t want to put it down/page turning” additive.
December 29, 2018
Awesome book of adventure! Particularly timely as "weed" is becoming legal state by state...this actually becomes a romp of historical importance - describing the wide wild world of "weed" back in the day. Also fun for anyone who has dreamed of life on the high seas on a small boat...
September 23, 2020
Excellent adventure story even if your not a sailor
The is a great read. I highly recommend it for all who love a good story and adventure. I loved this book and couldn’t wait to see where the story would take me next.
Don’t miss this one.
The is a great read. I highly recommend it for all who love a good story and adventure. I loved this book and couldn’t wait to see where the story would take me next.
Don’t miss this one.
January 8, 2021
Great read
Well written and full of love, adventure and danger on the high seas and in the shady cities of the world. An epic adventure story full of true life adrenaline filled moments!
Well written and full of love, adventure and danger on the high seas and in the shady cities of the world. An epic adventure story full of true life adrenaline filled moments!
June 12, 2021
Truth is sometimes stranger than fiction
I couldn't put it down. it has everything I love in a book. Adventure, great sailing experiences, sex, drugs and intrigue. It keeps moving and is one of the best reality books I have ever read.
I couldn't put it down. it has everything I love in a book. Adventure, great sailing experiences, sex, drugs and intrigue. It keeps moving and is one of the best reality books I have ever read.
July 18, 2017
This was an excellent book. Very easy to get into and to follow. Great sailing chapters. Wonderful characters (actual people). I highly recommend it.
March 7, 2020
It’s the Journey!
First person account of a sailor’s smuggling adventures on the Indian Ocean. It’ll keep your attention and break your heart.
First person account of a sailor’s smuggling adventures on the Indian Ocean. It’ll keep your attention and break your heart.
May 9, 2020
Exciting, fast-paced, an incredible adventure presented by those who lived the smuggler’s life for real. Weeee! What a ride!
September 26, 2020
A great read!
As a fellow sailor, I couldn’t put the book down once I started. I had to know what happened next.
SV Verano
As a fellow sailor, I couldn’t put the book down once I started. I had to know what happened next.
SV Verano
November 5, 2020
It’s pretty good. Very good if you enjoy sailing.
January 13, 2021
This book had everything I enjoy - sailing, adventure, crime, navigation, geography, etc. Would love to meet the author.
June 11, 2022
A rollicking adventure
Really enjoyed this book which built and built. The closer to by the end the more I couldn't stop reading.
Really enjoyed this book which built and built. The closer to by the end the more I couldn't stop reading.
July 13, 2022
I felt like I was on the adventure with them!
I felt like he simple told the true story and what a story, what am adventure. It reminded me that all is possible!
I felt like he simple told the true story and what a story, what am adventure. It reminded me that all is possible!
October 3, 2022
Excellent read! Whether you are a sailor or not, you won’t want to put it down.
January 17, 2018
This is an adventure most of us could only dream of. A dream that at times became a nightmare. Take this journey and sail along with Captain Ranen. You will meet a cast of characters from all walks of life around the world. And sail seas that range from calm and inviting to downright deadly.
November 15, 2022
Definitely one of the best books that I have read.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews