In the Library...............

Submissions are welcome.

Boating season is almost upon us...have you got your stack of books ready yet? Here are some things I've read that I enjoyed...

	Alone Against the Arctic by Anthony Dalton In the winter of 1897-88, three officers of the U.S. Revenue Cutter Service set off from below the Arctic Circle with a large herd of reindeer to feed the crews of whaling ships trapped in thick ice off Point Barrow, some 1,500 miles to the north. Almost 100 years later, in the summer of 1984, Anthony Dalton embarked on a near-fatal voyage in a small open boat along that same wild northwest coast of Alaska, attempting a solo transit of the Northwest Passage. His modern sea voyage ran parallel to the arduous trek undertaken by the men of the relief expedition.
	9 Years on the 7 Seas by Anne Brevig The dream of circumnavigating the globe became a lifestyle for Anne Brevig and Martin Vennesland who sailed their 40-foot sailboat "Nor Siglar" for nine years, visiting 76 countries. Their main focus became the opportunity to get close to people from different backgrounds and cultures. The book reflects this interest, with its many colour photographs that really tell the story of the cultures they visited. There is a nice balance of sailing lore, personal anecdotes and general information about the countries the pair visited.
	A Prarie Chicken Goes to Sea by Margot Green. A country girl experiences exciting and often humourous adventures with her husband while boating. Follow Margot as she deals with the death of her husband, decides to continue boating (often single-handed) and carries on the task of expanding and updating Charlie's Charts cruising guides.
	The Proving Ground by G. Bruce Knecht is an account of the infamous 1998 Sydney-Hobart race. The race claimed the lives of six sailors. Of 115 boats that began the race, only 43 made it to Hobart. Seven were abandoned, five sank. More than 25 sailors were washed off the decks of the vessels and 55 had to be pulled from the waters by helicopters and rescue vessels. The book recounts the race with sometimes frightening clarity.
	Isaac's Storm by Erik Larson is the historical account of the most deadly hurricane in history. The hurricane hit Galveston Texas on September 8th 1900 and almost removed it from the map. An excellent read.
	The Godforsaken Sea by Derek Lundy is a terrifying overview of the 1997 Vendee Globe.
	The Perfect Storm by Sebastian Junger is an excellent journalistic accounting of why so many of us stay close to shore. The book is much better than the movie.
	Good Boatkeeping by Zora and David Aiken is a great compilation of ideas, tips, and tricks for your boat.
	The Wind Came All Ways: A Quest to Understand the winds, waves and weather in the Georgis Basin by Owen S. Lange The weather in the Georgia Basin is terrifyingly erratic, and poses a serious threat to the unwary sailor. The Wind Came All Ways is an important book from Environment Canada, based on years of careful research identifying the major currents and weather patterns in the Strait of Georgia, the Juan de Fuca Strait and around the Gulf and San Juan Islands.
	The Weather Book by Jack Williams Featuring full-color weather graphics From the American newspaper, USA Today, here is the most readable guide to North American weather.
	Jeff Renner's Marine Weather Field Guide A little tri-fold, laminated guide to Fronts and associated clouds, clues from clouds, clues from pressure changesWeather Advisories and Warnings, Effects of Wind on Sea State, Lee Effects etc... (I got this at the Boat Show)
	Weather Forecasting by Michael Hodgson contains handy little nuggests such as: How to predict and recognize shifts in weather patterns Learn to understand how and why different types of weather occur Learn to identify cloud formations and know what they mean Find out how to observe variations in geography and how they affect the weather Develop weather awareness from basic meteorological concepts
	Living With Weather Along the British Columbia Coast by Owen S. Lange A guide to the weather patterns along all parts of the British Columbia coast during all seasons of the year, by the author of The Wind Came All Ways and Marine Weather Hazards Manual, West Coast Edition. Special emphasis is given to the origins and routes of the major weather systems that affect coastal British Columbia. A valuable resource for the coastal residents whose daily activities are affected by weather, and an especially valuable resource for coastal boaters, fishermen, and air pilots.
	Marine Weather Hazards Manual - a Guide to Local Forecasts and Conditions by Environment Canada One of the great advantages to living on Canada`s beautiful West Coast is the closeness to the ocean, and the freedom to set out on the open expanse of the Pacific. But even in this day of long-range technology, storms at sea can be frighteningly unpredictable - and it`s crucial that any would-be sailor be prepared for the dangers of inclement weather. With complete maps and charts, this book could save your ship, and perhaps even your life. Remember: forewarned is forearmed!
	Weather Companion by Tim Bartlett These spiral bound splash-resistant cards can be carried on board and make a quick reference to essential information, and help predict the weather. Although made for Britain, they contain all the weather information people find hard to remember such as Sea Areas, Coastal Stations, cloud systems, how to predict the weather around lows and highs, and the terms used in broadcasts.

The Quarterdeck on Granville Island has a wonderful selection of books and it's well worth a look if you're in the neighbourhood.

Also on Granville Island, Red Sky at Night offers a wide selection of books and nautical items.

 

Last growth spurt on March 25, 2008