Song of the Sirens
Published on 18. November 2007
Book
Paperback/Softback
336 pages
978-1-57409-254-7 (ISBN)
Description
"Song of the Sirens is rich in detail, colorful characters, and poignant insights. It is the story of one man's love affair with the old boats he has owned or chartered. Focusing on his favorites (his 17 sirens), the book explores the fascination man has with the sea and attempts to explain the allure of the vessels he has designed to sail upon her. Like the sirens of Greek mythology who, with enchanting songs, lured by sailors to dash their ships against hidden rocks, Gann's ships are seductresses, tempting and urging him on until he plunges forward into their purchase, unmindful of the dangers that lie ahead. And dangers there are aplenty.
Reviews / Votes
...rich in detail, colorful characters, and poignant insights * Good Old Boat * Song of the Sirens is a classic. * Newsweek * In this reprint of the original 1968 publication, author Gann recounts his seventeen most beloved sea vessels, from his years as master of a commercial fishing vessel on the Pacific coast to a boat hardly more than a raft with patchwork sails. Part travelogue and part adventure tale, this descriptive memoir is filled with poetic words about sailing on the high seas by a writer perhaps better known for his works about flying, including Fate Is the Hunter, but would be widely enjoyed by those interested in stories of sailing. * Reference and Research Book News *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Lanham
United States
Publishing group
Rowman & Littlefield
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 20 mm
Weight
540 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-57409-254-7 (9781574092547)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Ernest K. Gann was a sailor, a professional airline pilot, and above all, a writer. Besides Song of the Sirens, his most famous books are Fate is the Hunter, The High and the Mighty, Island in the Sky and In the Company of Eagles. Charles J. Doane, editor of SAIL Magazine, has provided a new introduction for this edition.
Content
I. In Harbor
II. The Albatros: A middle-aged maid of fading beauty and questionable Virtue
III. In Harbor
IV. The Albatros arrives on the scene of past affairs
V. In Harbor
VI. The Albatros rejuvenated for high society
VII. In Harbor
VIII. The Albatros: Her days of oceanic butterflies and ravens
IX. On Harbor
X. The Albatros: The chain of possession and tragedy
Epilogue
In Harbor
II. The Albatros: A middle-aged maid of fading beauty and questionable Virtue
III. In Harbor
IV. The Albatros arrives on the scene of past affairs
V. In Harbor
VI. The Albatros rejuvenated for high society
VII. In Harbor
VIII. The Albatros: Her days of oceanic butterflies and ravens
IX. On Harbor
X. The Albatros: The chain of possession and tragedy
Epilogue
In Harbor