The Voyagers Handbook by Beth A. Leonard,Adlard Coles Nautical 1998, 426pp, ISBN 0-7136-4937-2, £25.00

Early long distance cruisers wrote books about their adventures. With increasing numbers undertaking extended cruising people like the Coopers, Pardeys and Dashews added their experiences to those of many others producing books offering advice to aspiring cruisers. Beth Leonard and her partner were American international management consultants. They gave up the rat race and, somewhat precipitately, set off to complete a three year circumnavigation. Her resulting treatise is comprehensive. covering every possible aspect of cruising, mixing personal and second hand experiences to illustrate the advice.

Anyone without offshore experience would not come to grief if this advice is followed. At Yachtmaster Offshore level each of the 23 chapters would be a good discussion topic. Much of what is included has been written about many times before but the immediacy of the style in gives credence to the conclusions. When first thinking of a long distance voyage this book will be invaluable in planning the avoidance of the pitfalls the author encountered. Having it on board later may be too late if the advice has not been implemented in the planning phase. Warmly recommended. PDG

Page added 2 May1998

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