Philosophy of Sailing: Offshore in Search of the Universe

by Christian Williams

A Master Storyteller “Something is out there that doesn’t have a name,” writes veteran sailor and writer Christian Williams as he invites us along once again on a 5,000-mile voyage of discovery around the North Pacific. Equipped with a new boat, a well-stocked toolbox and the entire history of philosophic thought, he takes us as crew through squalls and calms deep into a laboratory of the universe that exists only out of sight of land. Funny, erudite and at times deeply personal, “Philosophy of Sailing” explores who we are and how encounters with the unknown can be a path to revelation and joy. With 20,000 miles at sea, Williams is also a master teacher of how to sail a boat across perilous oceans and the renovation of yacht and outlook required before departing on the voyage of a lifetime. With 40 illustrations, Preparation Guide, Toolbox of Books and Glossary of Nautical Terms.

Genres: Nonfiction, Audiobook, Nautical, Travel

280 pages, Paperback

Published June 30, 2018

About the author

In 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.

Reviews

[Premal Vora · Rating 4 out of 5]

In his previous book, "Alone Together", Williams took us along on his solo voyage from Marina del Rey to Hawaii and back. The tone was adventurous. He "left something out there" and wants to do it again to find it. Previously, he was on an Ericson 32-foot sailboat (Thelonious), but he bought an Ericson 38-footer (Thelonious II) and spent a year fixing everything that he thought was wrong with it and adding a few things that would ease the voyage. Why? -- he asks himself. Just because!

On his last voyage, he carried a few books by Plutarch; this time he has a bunch of books that cover some of the major philosophers: Wittgenstein, Hume, Kant, Sartre, Nietzsche, and Russell. We get a few tidbits of these philosophers' ideas throughout the book but the main focus is the voyage, the sailboat, his mental state, and a little bit about his family.

As a budding sailor, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. There are many vignettes of wisdom on sailing sprinkled throughout the book and any budding sailor (particularly a solo sailor) would do better on their voyages after reading this book taking some of his advice and wisdom that appeals, and discarding the rest.

[Jonathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like watching paint dry. If you want to hear (audible edition) a story about a person having a sailing adventure, forget this book. If you want to hear about a fellow sailing, forget it. NOW if what you really want is to hear a stream of consciousness by a guy with 30 volumes of philosophy on a boat, whose discussion about sailing involves "How can we be here now?" then looking at a lamp. well grab this one up! "is Now...Now?" baby this is your book.

We learn he bought a boat, repaired it, then leaned he got wet and ate Dirty Moor Beef stew. That the passage is monotonous, and random mention of 30 volumes with of philosophers.

Returned after one hour in.

[Lois Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Travel by book is sometimes the best way to go especially for a trip that I would love to take no longer am able to. Christian Williams did this trip to Hawaii and back once before and found something in his mind that he could not identify. So he did it again and we all benefit.

[Allen Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great if you like this kind of thing

Well written the author really captures the mindset of being off shore alone.I enjoy how he interspersed preperations with present feelings.

[Jamie Wylly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first came across Christian Williams looking through offshore sailing videos on YouTube when I found and watched his second solo voyage to Hawaii, the subject of this book. I was instantly pulled into his philosophical view of life, and especially of sailing, such that I felt like I was on the boat with him. Williams takes you deeper into the voyage than merely the trip itself; he shares how being alone at sea is a great way to be with friends and family as his enduring thoughts make them almost present. Along the way he shares valuable sailing and voyage tips and you just get the sense that you could do this too. Within a couple of weeks of reading this book, I read his first book, "Alone Together," and enjoyed it just as much as I enjoyed "Philosophy." Both of these are great books that will make you look forward to quiet time when you can once again open the pages and join Christian on his philosophical journeys, through the seas, and through life.

[Bob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sailing solo from the breakwater of Marina del Ray to the leeward side of Oahu, and back, Christian Williams skippers us through an Offshore Inquiry.

The sturdy ribs of Philosophy of Sailing are the ship's log which, for me, read like the titles of poems: “Day 7, 0400 hours. Voices” or “Day 12, 1945 hours. Whisker Pole”.

With day and night interchangeable it feels like living forever.
– Ch 7, Vigilance - Small sounds, big ocean

Not a sailor beyond zig-zagging over a tiny lake atop a 14' Sunfish, I savored how deftly Williams transitioned from the minutiae of single-handedly piloting a 38' Ericson to poetic and occasionally profound observations about the living, our loved ones, and our place in the universe.

Stowed in the galley of Thelonious II, Williams’s books and music become loyal companions. When he isn't abovedeck tending to fouled rigging or a collapsed whisker pole, he is below decks ruminating on and conversing with philosophers the likes of David Hume, Bertrand Russell, and The Magliozzi Brothers (The lovable lug nuts of NPR also known as Click and Clack).

Becalmed in the Pacific, Williams calls upon legendary jazz pianist Thelonious Monk to inform us of the mystical power of the space between notes.

Our boat's patron, Thelonious Monk, heard the gaps between notes so clearly that his notes had to wait for permission to talk.

Here, now, this moment, we're in the space between notes.

Let's stay a moment.

– Ch 29, Interval - In the space between the waves

My Goodreads bookshelf has a category I’ve labeled Inquiry. I'm not much for Philosophy, but I'm a sucker for Inquiry. Philosophy collects dust. Inquiry is adventure.

Philosophy of Sailing is Inquiry at its best. This book harkens to another Inquiry favorite, Robert Pirsig’s Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. Williams and Pirsig use the transport vessel as their literary base camp for launching metaphysical search parties.

Williams reminds us to allow time for offshore inquiry. George Gershwin’s Fascinatin' Rhythm is everyman’s toe-tapper onshore. But only offshore – wherever one’s offshore might be – do we allow ourselves the contemplative space to recognize the figure and ground of Fascinatin' Rhythm where, as Williams notes, “the exuberance is in the pauses”.

Highly recommended. 5 of 5 stars.

[Trine Hegre · Rating 4 out of 5]

En velskrevet bok om en solo-seilers eventyr og de utfordringer, oppturer og indre prosesser en går gjennom på havet. Fjernt fra andre mennesker, men nær seg selv og omgivelsene. Sammen med noen filosofiske avstikkere falt boken utvilsomt i god jord hos en amatør-seiler og den fortsatt nybegynnende filosof.
Som mange andre filosofiske verk har den med et avsnitt om Sisyfos. Nyskjerrig? Google den og få et nytt perpektiv i drøftelsen av meningen med livet ;)

[Jackie Kyger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the book. Williams writes as if you are accompanying him on his trip from California to Hawaii. A master Sailor and Storyteller. I have been following his adventures on YouTube, and I recommend that you do too. I very much enjoyed how he combined solo sailing (being alone for a great many days) and the works of many great philosophers. Truly a wonderful read. I have ordered more of his books.

[Terry Sampson · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellence story about sailing and philosophy.

Well written in his own particular style, I felt like I was there with him . His discussion on philosophy has whetted my appetite for more and I will access the books he has recommended. Thank you for filling some hours so wonderfully.

[John-Peter Ford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christian Williams takes the reader on an amazing solo sailing adventure from California to Hawaii and back. Along the way he discusses philosophy old and new and how the sea has shaped and continues to shape his life. A rather easy read for the pleasure reader. Take a few days and set sail with Mr. Williams on an adventure that will change your life for the better.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic writer! I felt as if I'd traveled along on the author's solo voyage across the Pacific Ocean to Hawaii on his sailboat. I was fascinated by his digressions into philosophical thinking about the boat, the ocean, the process of sailing, and the situations he found himself in. A worthwhile read.

[Richard Lim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read and entertaining. The book is like a dialog between the author and himself. Interesting philosophical insights and illustrative of what must go through the mind of long distance solo sailors.

[Mark Cartret · Rating 5 out of 5]

While I have yet to cross the Pacific, I have done so many times with Christian—through his videos and now with this book. This is one of the most interesting pieces I have taken along on my travels. Good job my friend! Good job.

[Michael Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

My second book by Christian Williams. I thoroughly enjoyed them both. A great storyteller and man.

[Sebastian · Rating 4 out of 5]

As good as the first time. A book to meditate. And to copy the voyage, on water and in thoughts.

[Summer Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was fine. I enjoyed the conversations about philosophy and sailing. Not so much brief but intense internal entitlement rants and bashing of millenials.

[Jan Marius · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely superb.

[Danny Butler]

Wonderful book. Solitude brings about philosophical thoughts and Willams articulates his well and in a way that is exciting and engaging to the reader.