Sailing Bible, The

Publisher:Adlard Coles Nautical, £24.99
Publication Date: 2009

I find it salutary to pick up a book of this nature and realise how much sailing lore I have forgotten – or perhaps never knew – during more than half a century of small boat handling. Nonetheless, such volumes are a catalyst to memory, frequently offering details in modern language of newly-introduced equipment and techniques, sometimes providing enjoyable reading as an exercise in itself.

' The Sailing Bible' is an excellent example of the genre. After 22 introductory themes, it lists 81 topics divided between dinghy and cruiser sailing. Ranging from 'Enjoying the ride' to 'Racing round the course'; 'Choosing a yacht' to 'Good cruising' [areas] and it is hard to think of any omission, although yacht racing gets scant mention. Then follow 53 pieces that include navigation, weather, maintenance and safety, and these latter have a natural bias towards cruising. In every case the information is clearly but succinctly given in at least one page-opening, sometimes more and the index alone extends to eight pages. Everything is illustrated by plentiful diagrams or photographs of the subject in hand and many of these are dynamic action shots.

The work, quite hefty for a primer, is clearly printed on good quality paper and strongly bound in hardback of a quality that justifies the price. It is an attractive encyclopaedia for the experienced and tyro alike.- Edward Cartner