
Before the Wind: The Memoir of an American Sea Captain, 1808-1833 book by Charles Tyng
By Charles TyngIn the current wave of seafaring literature -- from Patrick O'Brian to C. S. Forester -- no fictional sailor's story can match this true, real-life adventure. Growing up in Boston with the likes of Ralph Waldo Emerson, Charles Tyng first followed the call of the sea at age thirteen, going, to China and back as a ship's boy. Over the next twenty-five years he rose through the ranks and made his fortune as a captain and ship owner in the tea and sugar trade.Before the Wind reads like a novel: the rich, wry observations of a curious mind wedded to a sensitive soul and a toughened body. With Tyng we roam the world of the early nineteenth century: sighting the first Atlantic steamship bound for Russia, visiting Lord Byron in Italy and opium dens in Hong Kong, and skirting Napoleon's prison isle of St. Helena. We sail into Havana Harbor and meet King Kamehameha of Hawaii and his three queens. We learn to shin up the rigging, pump out a leaky brig, siphon rum from the captain's cask, and allay its aftereffects with pepper sauce. From pirates and mutinies to shipwrecks and cholera, Tyng's eye for detail is sharp and his storytelling as fresh as an offshore breeze. Armchair travelers, history buffs, and lovers of Sebastian Junger's The Perfect Storm will long to run away to sea with Before the Wind.
Book details
- Hardcover
- 288 pages
- English
- 0670886327
- 9780670886326
About Charles Tyng
charles tyng was Read More about Charles Tyng
More Books By Charles Tyng
Before the Wind: The Memoir of an American Sea Captain, 1808-1833 book by Charles Tyng
Used Book
People who bought this also bought
Ghost Wars: The Secret History of the CIA, Afghanistan, and bin Laden, from the Soviet Invasion to September 10, 2001 book by Steve Coll
New Book
The Rational Optimist: How Prosperity Evolves book by Matt Ridley
New Book
Boundaries in Dating: How Healthy Choices Grow Healthy Relationships
New Book
Animals Welcome: A Life of Reading, Writing, and Rescue book by Peg Kehret
Used Book
Tribe: On Homecoming and Belonging book by Sebastian Junger
New Book
Chicken Soup for the Woman's Soul: 101 Stories to Open the Hearts and Rekindle the Spirits of Women book by Jack Canfield
Used Book
Our Heritage: A Brief History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Used Book
One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are book by Ann Voskamp
Used Book
The Burden Of Freedom: Discover the Keys to Your Individual and National Freedom book by Myles Munroe
New Book
No Picnic on Mount Kenya: A Daring Escape, A Perilous Climb book by Felice Benuzzi
New Book
Terror in Transition: Leadership and Succession in Terrorist Organizations book by Tricia Bacon
New Book
Men: Notes from an Ongoing Investigation book by Laura Kipnis
Used Book
To Be Young, Gifted, and Black: An Informal Autobiography book by Lorraine Hansberry
New Book
The E-Myth Attorney: Why Most Legal Practices Don't Work and What to Do About It book by Michael E. Gerber
New Book
The World of W. Edwards Deming book by Cecelia S. Kilian
Used Book
The Everyday Leader: 14 Marine Corps Traits to Unlock Your Leadership DNA book by Hema Crockett
New Book
Brandywine Critters: Nature Crafts from Brandywine Christmas
Used Book
Golf For Enlightenment: The Seven Lessons for the Game of Life book by Deepak Chopra
New Book
The Stranger Beside Me: Ted Bundy: The Shocking Inside Story book by Ann Rule
New Book