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The Hard Way Around: The Passages of Joshua Slocum
A masterful biographer now offers a thrilling, definitive portrait of one of history’s most legendary icons of adventure.In 1860, sixteen-year-old Joshua Slocum escaped a hardscrabble childhood in Nova Scotia by signing on as an ordinary seaman to a merchant ship bound for Dublin. Despite having only a third-grade education, Slocum rose through the nautical ranks at a mercurial pace; just a decade later he was commander of his own ship. His subsequent journeys took him nearly Liverpool, China, Japan, Cape Horn, the Dutch East Indies, Manila, Hong Kong, Saigon, Singapore, San Francisco, and Australia—where he met and married his first wife, Virginia, who would sail along with him for the rest of her life, bearing and raising their children at sea. He commanded eight vessels and owned four, enduring hurricanes, shipwrecks, pirate attacks, cholera, smallpox, a mutiny, and the death of his wife and three of his children. Yet his ultimate adventure and crowning glory was still to come.In 1895 Slocum set sail from Gloucester, Massachusetts—by himself—in the Spray, a small sloop of thirty-seven feet. More than three years and forty-six thousand miles later, he became the first man to circumnavigate the globe solo, a feat that wouldn’t be replicated until 1925. His account of that voyage, Sailing Alone Around the World, soon made him internationally famous. He met President Theodore Roosevelt on several occasions and became a presence on the lecture circuit, selling his sea-saga books whenever and wherever he could. But scandal soon followed, and a decade later, with his finances failing, he set off alone once more—and was never seen again.Geoffrey Wolff captures this singular life and its flamboyant times—from the Golden Age of Sail to a shockingly different new century—in vivid, fascinating detail.
241 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 12, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
July 18, 2020
Joshua Slocum became a hero of mine some many years ago when I read his book Sailing Alone Around the World. Alone on the boat Spray, a wrecked sloop he had rebuilt for the purpose of using to take him, alone, under sail power around the world. His took his time, needing safe harbor and volunteered support and facilities to make and mend. Altogether this voyage would take him about 3 years and cover 46,000 miles. He began April 24, 1895, meaning before any of the tools now common among solo sailors. He was finishing his voyage at the outbreak of the Spanish-American War. Meaning he sailed in both pirate infested waters and in war time contested seas.
Based on this read I began to read about as many solo-circumnavigators I could find. Then began the annual Golden Globe Solo Circumnavigation race and the field became too crowded and too technology driven.
What I did not know was what kind of life Slocum lived to prepare him to believe he could achieve such a feat. Nor had it occurred to me to see if Slocum was author of anymore books.
Geoffrey Wolf’s Biography; The Hard Way Around answers to my needs. It is a relatively short and well told story, based largely on such documents as can be found and particularly the materials and recollection of his son, and future sailor, Victor.
Joshua was a child of poverty born to a harsh youth near an important Nova Scotia seaport. Of course he ran away to sea. Unlike most such run-ways he became focused on the need for promotion and to express his leadership. In a remarkably short time he earned the right to be a first mate, then a ships captain and ultimately both ships captain and owner. What may have been his mistake was to remain loyal to sailing ships even as the steam ship was taking over opportunities for top rated mariners. His one professional involvement with a steam ship, The Destroyer, would result is something between a drama and a comedy.
Instead Wolff documents his succession of commands from small fishing vessels to a few of the best of class clipper ships and then back to more modest cargo ships. Given that his fortunes would also wax and wane, his ability to acquire these ships was tied to the fact that the maritime trade was abandoning these romantic, but no longer desired hulls.
As the industry moved away from sailing ships, so did the crews. Slocum would have to contend with individuals and groups of men ever less willing to follow any captain. Slocum would have at his side the very unlikely woman, Virginia, his first wife. Having come from a certain amount of privilege, and agreeing to marriage after a short courtship, she made of herself an accomplished sailor. She was already a sportswoman and a good shot. This particular skill would be called upon as there were times when her husband would have need of a wife known to hit what, or whoever she had in her gun sights.
Wolff gives the respect that this woman earned, but she is clearly entitled to her own book. She proved to be the exact helpmate her unusual husband needed. A more than competent sailor and she gave birth to and lost a steady number of children. Of their surviving children most of their upbringing and education was at sea. She is not just another of the women girls should have as examples, but politics aside, her standalone story has to worth the telling.
In 212 pages Wolff tells a lot of story. I would have wished the author was more of a seaman. For example, Slocum had to invent a system to steer his ship while he was sleeping. This necessity would feed some of those who tried to deny the truth of Joshua’s adventure. This despite the manifest, third person proof that the the voyage took him to the places and at the times claimed. Wolff shares the facts of this dispute but tells us nothing about the system Slocum invented.
For me, an item for future action is to get copies of other of Slocum’s Books. O yeah, his and more of Geoffrey Wolff books also.
Based on this read I began to read about as many solo-circumnavigators I could find. Then began the annual Golden Globe Solo Circumnavigation race and the field became too crowded and too technology driven.
What I did not know was what kind of life Slocum lived to prepare him to believe he could achieve such a feat. Nor had it occurred to me to see if Slocum was author of anymore books.
Geoffrey Wolf’s Biography; The Hard Way Around answers to my needs. It is a relatively short and well told story, based largely on such documents as can be found and particularly the materials and recollection of his son, and future sailor, Victor.
Joshua was a child of poverty born to a harsh youth near an important Nova Scotia seaport. Of course he ran away to sea. Unlike most such run-ways he became focused on the need for promotion and to express his leadership. In a remarkably short time he earned the right to be a first mate, then a ships captain and ultimately both ships captain and owner. What may have been his mistake was to remain loyal to sailing ships even as the steam ship was taking over opportunities for top rated mariners. His one professional involvement with a steam ship, The Destroyer, would result is something between a drama and a comedy.
Instead Wolff documents his succession of commands from small fishing vessels to a few of the best of class clipper ships and then back to more modest cargo ships. Given that his fortunes would also wax and wane, his ability to acquire these ships was tied to the fact that the maritime trade was abandoning these romantic, but no longer desired hulls.
As the industry moved away from sailing ships, so did the crews. Slocum would have to contend with individuals and groups of men ever less willing to follow any captain. Slocum would have at his side the very unlikely woman, Virginia, his first wife. Having come from a certain amount of privilege, and agreeing to marriage after a short courtship, she made of herself an accomplished sailor. She was already a sportswoman and a good shot. This particular skill would be called upon as there were times when her husband would have need of a wife known to hit what, or whoever she had in her gun sights.
Wolff gives the respect that this woman earned, but she is clearly entitled to her own book. She proved to be the exact helpmate her unusual husband needed. A more than competent sailor and she gave birth to and lost a steady number of children. Of their surviving children most of their upbringing and education was at sea. She is not just another of the women girls should have as examples, but politics aside, her standalone story has to worth the telling.
In 212 pages Wolff tells a lot of story. I would have wished the author was more of a seaman. For example, Slocum had to invent a system to steer his ship while he was sleeping. This necessity would feed some of those who tried to deny the truth of Joshua’s adventure. This despite the manifest, third person proof that the the voyage took him to the places and at the times claimed. Wolff shares the facts of this dispute but tells us nothing about the system Slocum invented.
For me, an item for future action is to get copies of other of Slocum’s Books. O yeah, his and more of Geoffrey Wolff books also.
March 29, 2023
This book was a wonderful find, and I do not regret the day I spent doing nothing but finishing it. I am going to read more accounts of this exceptional man and his travels.
We “good readers” have one thing in common, one thing uniting all of us, the love of reading. From reading other reviews of this book, I am reminded that we do not necessarily enjoy the same books. That’s OK.
I can only say that for me this book had everything. I am grateful for having learned so much about the age of sailing ships that I want to learn more. I also love books of adventure, ship wrecks, mountaineering disasters, plane crashes. I am delighted to award this great adventure 5 stars! And thank you to the author!
We “good readers” have one thing in common, one thing uniting all of us, the love of reading. From reading other reviews of this book, I am reminded that we do not necessarily enjoy the same books. That’s OK.
I can only say that for me this book had everything. I am grateful for having learned so much about the age of sailing ships that I want to learn more. I also love books of adventure, ship wrecks, mountaineering disasters, plane crashes. I am delighted to award this great adventure 5 stars! And thank you to the author!
March 7, 2011
Interesting biography about Joshua Slocum with some interesting history. I didn't really like the writing style. It was hard to read.
September 2, 2019
Interesting biography; not very engaging, excellent author vocabulary.
November 25, 2020
I could not finish this book. If you enjoy reading the details around sailboats and have previously read books about Joshua Slocum, then you may enjoy this read. I admire Mr. Slocum and his accomplishments and would be willing to learn more about him as he is portrayed an interesting man, but this book was difficult to follow for me. As a colleague pointed out, this read like a book report as it focused on other books about the man. We had a great discussion about the book, but it helped that a member of our club had already read stories about Joshua Slocum. This just wasn’t for me.
February 21, 2018
This is a good retelling of Joshua's story; part book report, and part research paper. it is well written and weaves the sailor's life into a tapestry filled with life, work, trials, and the constant need for adventure.
December 4, 2017
B+. New insights to a favorite character.
October 11, 2021
Men and boats! Nice to read a book providing context on the life of Joshua Slocum should I eventually decide to read this sailor's own account. He seems at least lightly OUT OF HIS MIND>
December 3, 2023
I am in awe of Joshua Slocum. This is the story of a boy that reaches the highest level of success in the maritime sailing world, after lifting himself out of deep poverty under the beatings of a stern father. While his rise to success is fascinating, the more interesting part is what he does as seafaring vessels transition rapidly from sail to coal powered steam boats. This is a story of a free spirit, a man who loved his wife, and a man who would never leave the days of sailing behind him. Truth be told, I am envious. Highly recommend this book.
August 8, 2011
Was there any other choice?
We owe a debt of gratitude to Mr. Wolff for helping us to see Joshua Slocum as a kindhearted man who was eminently capable at sea, and equally clumsy on land. Mr. Wolff helps us to feel what it might be like to have achieved the feats of Joshua Slocum, and then to be attacked, doubted, accused, and called a liar, for having done so.
Mr. Wolff confirms the claims of Mr. Slocum in "Sailing Alone Around the World" and highlight the clues to Slocum's depth of feeling toward his first wife, and toward sailing the oceans.
I recommend with the highest import reading Mr. Slocum's magnum opus before reading this biography of him. It may be my bias, but the experience seems much superior to first share the adventure with Mr. Slocum and follow that with exploring the darker corners of his experience.
Slocum was clearly not for all tastes. As with many clear visionaries, he inspired strong reactions in both the positive and negative direction. His leadership was not that of a team leader, but of a prophet. The latter are rarely celebrated in their home towns. But we have a right, as Americans, to be proud of this great American and Mr. Wolff helps us to richly apprehend his achievements.
We owe a debt of gratitude to Mr. Wolff for helping us to see Joshua Slocum as a kindhearted man who was eminently capable at sea, and equally clumsy on land. Mr. Wolff helps us to feel what it might be like to have achieved the feats of Joshua Slocum, and then to be attacked, doubted, accused, and called a liar, for having done so.
Mr. Wolff confirms the claims of Mr. Slocum in "Sailing Alone Around the World" and highlight the clues to Slocum's depth of feeling toward his first wife, and toward sailing the oceans.
I recommend with the highest import reading Mr. Slocum's magnum opus before reading this biography of him. It may be my bias, but the experience seems much superior to first share the adventure with Mr. Slocum and follow that with exploring the darker corners of his experience.
Slocum was clearly not for all tastes. As with many clear visionaries, he inspired strong reactions in both the positive and negative direction. His leadership was not that of a team leader, but of a prophet. The latter are rarely celebrated in their home towns. But we have a right, as Americans, to be proud of this great American and Mr. Wolff helps us to richly apprehend his achievements.
August 5, 2015
Joshua Slocum was a sailor with the misfortune to be born as the age of sail was being replaced by the age of steam. He was also the first person to sail around the globe alone, and gained a certain amount of celebrity due to his writing of his adventures. Nonetheless, the modern world has largely forgotten about him and his accomplishments, and Geoffrey Wolff seeks to remind us with this short biography.
And while it's marginally interesting for those of us who typically enjoy such history, I had a very hard time connecting with the story. Parts of it are interesting, and Wolff makes some insightful observations about Slocum although he declines to draw conclusions sometimes. But it leaves a rather disjointed and fractured portrait of the man: a brute with his crew yet a loving husband and father - until he leaves them behind to return to the solitude of the sea; intelligent enough to read an impressive library of literature (which he carried aboard with him) but blind to the trend toward steam; a gifted writer able to promote himself yet awkward in civilized society and who struggled to support himself and his family. Thankfully it's a short book at just over 200 pages.
And while it's marginally interesting for those of us who typically enjoy such history, I had a very hard time connecting with the story. Parts of it are interesting, and Wolff makes some insightful observations about Slocum although he declines to draw conclusions sometimes. But it leaves a rather disjointed and fractured portrait of the man: a brute with his crew yet a loving husband and father - until he leaves them behind to return to the solitude of the sea; intelligent enough to read an impressive library of literature (which he carried aboard with him) but blind to the trend toward steam; a gifted writer able to promote himself yet awkward in civilized society and who struggled to support himself and his family. Thankfully it's a short book at just over 200 pages.
February 9, 2011
The Hard Way Around, claimed the New York Times Book Review, is "the best of books: a literary biography that also happens to be an adventure story," and most critics agreed. Wolff concentrates his narrative on Slocum's fascinating and fast-moving early life, following the expert seaman from port to port and misfortune to misfortune while constructing a richly detailed portrait of life during the great age of sail. Although the Boston Globe and the Wall Street Journal found fault with Wolff's prose style, which swings erratically from cultivated to colloquial, the other critics, perhaps caught up in tales of tempests and pirates, ignored any awkwardness. Abounding with splendid seafaring lore, Hard Way is an engaging account of a stalwart sailor and his romantic bygone era. This is an excerpt from a review published in Bookmarks magazine.
August 5, 2014
This is the story of Joshua Slocum who was enamored of tall sailing ships and spent his life sailing in the later half of the 19th century and early 20th century. His wife and family sailed with him. Eventually, he sails around the world alone. There have been several books written about Slocum – including one he wrote himself. I appreciated Wolff’s contribution because provides context. For example, he discusses that sailing ships were already being replaced by steam by the time Slocum began his career. I was most interested in the discussion of “hen frigates” – ships with wives aboard. Unfortunately, the contextual information is often more interesting than the manner in which Slocum’s story is presented.
March 17, 2011
I was attracted to this biography of Joshua Slocum because I loved the fictional Pat O'Brien series about sailing ships during the Napoleonic wars. Joshua Slocum was a merchant captain during the last half of the 19th century. He sailed with his wife and kids aboard, for the most part. The climax is the first solo trip around the world starting in 1893. His life was often controversial, rarely boring.
August 10, 2011
great bio of joshua slocum. highly recommended for anybody who liked Slocum's book written in 1900. quite a few pictures and fair bibliography. I will read other books by Wolff, he is a good writer mixing the academic/earnest with fairness and some humor.
October 27, 2011
Fascinating look at an amazing sailor. At least 5 times sailed around world at the end of the era of sail, once alone. Joshua Slocum was an incredible navigator, storyteller, sailor. Perhaps not so good on the domestic front. Probably with a fiery temper. Will try to read his book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 5, 2012
Interesting biography of a true sailor. While I look forward to reading his autobiography (it was already on my to-read list), this book likely filled in the gaps with regards to his early life, emotional / family life, and his final chapters.
September 29, 2011
Always good reading about the adventurous types such as Joshua Slocum. I read and really liked all the Tristan Jones stories only to find out later that they really were just Yarns!!
January 15, 2011
unbelievable man, unbelievable life, real perosn and scary for the strngeth of character and will. We are all pussies compared to this guy. True story.
July 13, 2011
An odd tale of one man's adventures on the high seas. Slocum's mix of sailing talent and character flaws (or demons) felt very real, human.
November 3, 2011
Stephen liked this very much. Biography of Joshua Slocum
December 26, 2014
A good biography of one of my heroes, Joshua Slocum, who circumnavigated the world alone in a 36' sloop of his own construction. The first solo circumnavitator.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews