First published 1976
William F. Buckley Jr. sets sail aboard his yacht Cyrano for a month-long Atlantic crossing. Day by day, he records the rhythms of life at sea. Weather patterns shift. Equipment requires attention. The boat responds to wind and current. Between routine tasks, Buckley reflects on decades of sailing that began when he was thirteen years old. He examines his development as both a navigator and a parent. The ocean provides space for contemplation about seamanship and family relationships. One section focuses specifically on navigation techniques and principles. The voyage becomes both a physical journey across water and an internal assessment of personal growth. Buckley measures his competence against the demands of the sea while considering how his experiences shaped his role as a father.
Genres: biography, adventure, autobiography, memoir
Vibes: contemplative, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: coming-of-age, self-discovery
Setting: Atlantic Ocean
Period: 20th-century
252 pages · Hardcover · Scribner