Reviews (6)

A Must Have
Dive Like a Pro was a great addition to my diving library. The book is a fantastic resource to have at hand. It's a concise manual with tips on everything from saving your breath to maintaining your gear. Rossier's writing is clear, and his instructions are easy to follow. I bring my copy with me every time I go diving. It's small enough to fit easily in my dive bag. If there is a diver in your family he or she needs this book.

Nice CompanionText for the Beginner.
This makes a fine edition to a beginning diver's text. I enjoy reading Rob's articles in "Dive Training Magazine" and this text is a good representation of his easy to follow tips. I probably wouldn't have purchased the text for myself, as this copy was a gift, but I did find it informative. Informative in the respect, that it gave me new ways of explaining tips of the trade to student divers.

"Dive Like A Pro" was a nice dive checklist for me.
I found "Dive Like A Pro" to be a very handy review. I haven't been diving in a while, and it was a great source for condensed common-sense tips and reminders.I found the format very user-friendly,and the content very readable. Like all common sense advice, you couldfigure much of this out on your own, but why learn it the hard (anddangerous)way when you can have it spoon fed to you by an expert? I likedit! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Scuba Diving   

Reviews (10)

Racing or Cruising;this is stuff you NEED to know
Good physics, good illustrations, good explanations mean that you will have the intellectual tools to maximize your sail power.That will mean minutes in a race, and hours or days on a passage...as well as the safety of a well tuned rig.A must read for anyone powered by sail.

Excellent on tuning, not so good on engineering.
I brought this book to check the rigging on a boat that I want to build.
One of the Best Books on Rigging Out There
There is nothing more frighten then a mast coming down at sea. Just the mere thought of it is enough to have a lot of cruising sailors pouring pockets full of money into the hands of riggers up and down the island chain. However rigging isn't that hard, heck I even know a couple guys who decided overnight to be riggers. They hung up their shingles and we started genuflecting before them as if they were the font of all knowledge. Well before you reach your hand out for that holy water, maybe you should check out this very fine book. It will educate you into the black art of rigging a sailboat. You'll know, without consulting that expert, when to replace that turnbuckle or wire. You'll learn how to tune your rig yourself and, need I say it, you'll probably save enough money to pay for that new laptop you've had your eye on. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Sailing - General    2. Sports    3. Sports & Recreation    4. Maritime / nautical trades    5. Motor / power boating & cruising    6. Sailing    7. Sports & Recreation / Sailing   

Reviews (1)

Best Overview Of Decompression Models And Theory
The original was a classic, but this one is twice as good.Read more

Subjects:  1. Decompression (Physiology)    2. Medical    3. Medical / Sports Medicine    4. Safety measures    5. Scuba & Snorkeling    6. Scuba diving    7. Sports & Recreation    8. Sports & Recreation / Scuba & Snorkeling    9. Sports Medicine    10. Underwater physiology   

Subjects:  1. Naval architecture    2. Science/Mathematics    3. Ship Design And Construction    4. Shipbuilding    5. Ships & Shipbuilding - Engineering    6. Ships & Shipbuilding - General    7. Ships & Shipbuilding - Repair & Maintenance    8. Transportation    9. War & Military    10. Fiction-War & Military    11. Shipbuilding technology & engineering    12. Transportation / Ships & Shipbuilding / Repair & Maintenance    13. Transportation-Ships & Shipbuilding - Repair & Maintenance   

Reviews (6)

Great visual aids
I couldn't put this book down!Chocked full of color photos makes this pleasing to use and wonderful to leaf through for ideas and an excellent reference. A good reminder of sound, basic training principles. A great addition to any library for dressage, hunter or jumper riders.

A must have - inspirational!
I just love this book. I've never been so inspired to make a trip to Home Depot - I couldn't wait to build my own cavalletti and get out there and give it a try. Directions for building your own can be found here: www.texashorsemansdirectory.com/thdcav.htm This book provides an excellent introduction to working with cavalletti and is a must have for the English rider. Easy to read, well illustrated, great schooling plans and the gymnastic jumping section at the end is an added bonus. FUN, FUN, FUN!

Cavalletti for everyone
I'm not a brave jumper and this book has really encouraged me to incorporate more ground poles and cavalletti into my regular training regime.Read more

Subjects:  1. Equestrian    2. Horses - Riding    3. Horses - Showing/Training    4. Pets    5. Sports & Recreation    6. Swimming    7. Pets / Horses / Care   

Reviews (5)

The Encyclopedia of Yacht Designers
A Truly magnificent book, all the photos and drawings a boat enthusiast could ever want.I nice broad range of vessel types covered from racing multihulls to powerboats to keel boats and gaff rigged schooners.

Excellent Coffee-Table Book
This book is very impressive and the years of extensive work to create and publish this book is amazing!A great conversation piece on a coffee-table.Anyone who enjoys yachts would enjoy this book, whether you have an interest in yacht designing or not.Or maybe I'm just a little partial, as my Dad, William H. Shaw, is one of the yacht designers written about in this bookand I'm very proud of him.
An instant classic
An instant classic. This is an indispensable resource that has been too long in coming. The research is amazingly put together and the depth of entries is impressive. I was particularly interested in the research on Walter Pinaud and the yachting activity around Cape Breton at the turn of the century. Also, of less importance than the material in the book but still notable is the appearance of the book. It is a very attractive volume and the price on Amazon can't be beat. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Boating - Boatbuilding    3. Boating And Sailing    4. Dictionaries    5. Encyclopedias    6. Ships & Shipbuilding - History    7. Ships & Shipbuilding - Pictorial    8. Sports & Recreation    9. Transportation    10. Yacht designers    11. Boating    12. Reference works    13. Ship design & naval architecture    14. Ships & shipping: general interest    15. Sports & Recreation / General   

Reviews (1)

A great synthesis of many aspects of diving history!
A Pictorial History of Diving provides a lavishly illustrated, brief, but comprehensive review of diving history, from early breath-hold diving and primitive diving bells to modern developments like ROV's and the Newtsuit.Unlike many other books on the subject, it also includes information onunderwater habitats and recreational gear. An excellent photo section onearly dive helmets rounds out the history and provides some fuel for theimagination. A great coffee table book and serious reader in one volume! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Deep diving    2. Engineering - Hydraulic    3. Equipment and supplies    4. History    5. Pictorial works    6. Technology & Industrial Arts    7. Scuba diving   

Reviews (2)

Nat's all that. What a legend
Humble family beginings to world champion, husband to father, party animal to entrepreneur. Through all this Nat Young was destined to be a surfer and one of the best the world would ever see. This book is a fascinating combination of surfing history (Australian in particular) and the history of a man who pushed to get every ounce of enjoyment out of life. This is a very informative, yet light hearted book with more than its share of incredible surfing tales. From surfing the best waves the world has to offer, the early days of the world tour and the unavoidable changes of the 70's. This book is nothing short of the ultimate life style a surfer could wish for. Reading this book inspired me on more than one occassions to get out in the waves and make the most of my life. A must read for all surfers.

This book will detonate your youthful & adventurous spirit
This book is long overdue.As a surfer and skier who grew up in the 70's and 80's Nat Young was the inspiration to us then and to teenagers today.He was one of the front runners who not only showed us how to do it but he did it with a passionate, laid back style.This read gives you the chanceto know Nat as a person and to be inspired by his youthful, adventuroussoul. Read more

Subjects:  1. Aquatic Sports    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography & Autobiography / Sports    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Sports    7. Sports - General    8. Water Sports    9. Biography: sport    10. Surfing, windsurfing, water skiing   

Reviews (28)

Packed With Info
This book is very good I must have read it 3-4 times the first month I had it and picked up tips each time. It is well written, easy to understand, as I have never built a boat before, still havn't but hope to this winter. Excellent intro to a project like this.

A very handy technical back stop!!
This is a very useful book in terms of getting a handle on wood strip kayak construction. It is well written, concise and clear. It suffers from some unfortunate americanisms (eg material suppliers, wood types, etc). There are also some areas like staple-less construction that are not covered deeply enough - but overall a fine addition to the books in this space.
S. Halgrimson
I have found The Strip-Built Sea Kayak an interesting book.I have not been able to build a boat yet but plan to this spring. I have graphed the forms and found the book to explain it well.I hope the rest of the boat goes as well as the forms did. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Amateurs' manuals    2. Boating - General    3. Canoeing    4. Design and construction    5. Kayaking    6. Kayaks    7. Physical Education    8. Sports    9. Sports & Recreation    10. Canoeing & kayaking    11. Education / Physical Education    12. Shipbuilding technology & engineering    13. Woodworking   

Reviews (8)

Great analysis of what can go wrong and why
One might consider this book by Michel Ange, who is Technical Editor of Scuba Diving Magazine, a downer as someone dies in almost every chapter. That's because Ange presents a series of case studies of diving gone wrong. Each chapter tackles a specific issue and tells the story on how something went wrong during a scuba dive, often with deadly consequences. The stories are real, though names and places have been changed so as to preserve the privacy of those involved.
Great book on what not to do
Great book on what not to do and helps reinforce your training of what to do.Interesting how dumb some people can be.Follow the rules and keep your head to make good decisions.The author really knows his stuff.

Great Lessons
Wise people learn from the mistakes of others.This book will make you more aware of what is going on around you before and during a dive.Helps you see problems before they start and tips on how to fix them to avoid being a statictic. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Lifesaving    2. Safety measures    3. Scuba & Snorkeling    4. Scuba diving    5. Scuba diving accidents    6. Sports    7. Sports & Recreation    8. Sports & Outdoor Recreation    9. Sports & Recreation / Scuba & Snorkeling    10. Sub-aqua swimming   

Reviews (4)

Excellent Book
Another Great book from the Pardeys.
Right On Target!
"Larry came below shivering and blue-lipped.I got him out of his wet clothes, warmed some freshwater so he could wipe down, and got out his dry clothes.But it wasn't until he had had some hot, solid food that he started to warm up and stop shivering" (p. 357); the real situations experienced during extended cruising and appropriate responses are the focus of this comprehensive book which contains relevant advice on nearly every cruising situation imaginable, with a strong emphasis on how those situations impact the crew.
Pleasantly surprised!!!
A couple of months ago, I attended a seminar taught by Lin & Larry called Confident Cruising.What a treat to meet this inspiring couple!I have offshore dreams myself and since I know I will be in charge of my own galley, I bought The Care & Feeding of Sailing Crew.I thought it would have a few recipes and hints on how to store food.Little did I know that the book is so much more:You travel with Lin & Larry on a 45 day passage from Japan to Canada and during the passage, Lin teaches you everything you need to know about provisioning, food care & storage, galley layout, cabin care - the list goes on and on.I haven't finished the book yet - I'm with them on day 30.They are eating mostly canned food now but Lin is still preparing great meals!I love Lin's style of writing - you really feel like she's talking to you over a cup of tea.Read more

Subjects:  1. Boating And Sailing    2. Sailing - General    3. Sports    4. Sports & Recreation   

Reviews (7)

Dry-land Wannabe Bluewater Cruiser
This is the third book I've read recently about owning and equipping a sailboat for crusiing. Each of the books has had a particular emphasis, such as outfitting a boat for coastal cruising. But this book is exactly what I wanted for info and the book delivered the goods. Some of the other books had more detailed info on inverters, toilets, reverse-osmosis water systems, refrigeration, etc., but they didn't have info on self-steering gear, the basics of a sextant, the boat log and its contents, paper work when landing at a port, etc. I don't want to give the impression that he doesn't talk about the boat systems in detail. There is enough info available and it's good stuff. It just isn't as extensive as some, but he does cover the topic adequately, and in some cases much better than the other books. Also, the use of a rough cost estimates is very helpful. He puts it in terms of the cost of multiple beers. This I can relate to on several different planes! He does mention some brand names too. Some of these writers have some reluctance to tell you who makes either good or crappy stuff and what it costs. I have a tendency to highlite a book when I read something usefull. Well this book has lots of color. In conclusion...buy this book because it's packed full of very important and interesting info about equipping your boat for bluewater cruising.

Seamanship is excellent
One thing Roth never forgets is basic seamanship.His experience shows in every chapter. Lots to learn here. And he definitely does know how to write well. But he does not do as good of job covering the details that affect women on board cruising boats. So if I was trying to encourage someones dream, I'd buy this book along with Lin Pardey's Care and Feeding of Sailing Crew.

Great Reading and Great Sailing
The genuine article. A well written and pragmatic book that will serve as both a good first read and a long term reference text. Highly recommend. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Boating - General    2. Earth Sciences - Geography    3. Sail Boating    4. Sailing - General    5. Sports    6. Sports & Recreation    7. Voyages And Travels    8. Voyages around the world    9. Yachting    10. Sailing    11. Sports & Recreation / Sailing   

Reviews (7)

Exactly the right boat electrical book for most owners
This book is exactly what it advertises to be; it is an introduction to the 12 volt DC electrical system used on small boats -- sail, outboard or inboard. It uses plain English to provide an introduction or refresher in basic electronics. It quickly transitions tothe correct use and carring for the boat battery, describes what to do and not to do for safe electric circuits and apparatus, and how to use common test equipment. The writers make a headache causing subject easy to understand. It has one of the best explanations of the the boat "ground" sysytem which is different than that used with AC or vehicle DC. You need to understand that difference if you own or operate a boat. Most do not understand. The most valuable part of the book is its clear explanation and illustration of using simple and common test equipment to troubleshoot and fix everyday boat electric problems at home or afloat. Real examples are used.I know several marine electricians that could benefit from reading this book. The book is worth every cent of it's cost. Keep a copy on your boat, it will pay for itself.The writers did a good job.

It's for BEGINNERS
This is a book for those whose knowlege of 12 volt systems could be summed up as "well, I know there's a battery in there somewhere!"If you already know how to use a multimeter, this book probably isn't for you.Absolutely great for it's target audience, the rank newbie to boat electrical systems.

Boat Electronics for the Beginner
Mr. Brotherton has written a basic primer for the 12-Volt system. The second edition was a long time coming, perhaps if they'd attended to business, some of the other books on the subject wouldn't have gained the foothold in the boating community that they have. However, the update is out now and it's well worth having, as it's a good place to start on the theory of it all. The book addresses the subject as if you are a true beginner and you know what, sometimes that's just what one needs. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Boating - General    2. Boats and boating    3. Electric equipment    4. Ships & Shipbuilding - Engineering    5. Ships & Shipbuilding - Repair & Maintenance    6. Sports & Recreation    7. Transportation    8. Boating    9. Marine engineering    10. Sports & Recreation / Boating   

Reviews (5)

Text Book for Catamaran Class
I purchased this book as the required text for a two day catamaran class I am taking.It is well written and an easy read with some good tips and suggestions.It covers both trailerable size trimarans, catmarans and cruising sized Cats.As it's title says, it is a fundamentals book.

Multihull Cruising Fundamentals: The Official American Saili
Multihull Cruising Fundamentals is a nice book to get sailors familiar with the idiosyncracies of handling mid- to large size multihulls. CATAMARANS OFFSHORE,a new book by Gregor Tarjan, which will be published in 2004, will continue where Rick White has left off.

Too fundamental, better choices out there.
This book was a complete let down for me.A very shallow and thin book with not a lot of useful information in it.It is simply too watered down and should be renamed "beginers basics for learning to sail your folding trimaran" rather than trying to pretend it tackles the much deeper subjects of cruising.For someone looking to learn the basics I would suggest a better combination of reading Royce's Sailing Illustrated, and then take a look at The Cruising Multihull by Chris White.You will get a lot more useful information both on the beginner and advanced end from that combination than this very weak book gives. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Boating - General    2. Multihull sailboats    3. Sailing    4. Sailing - General    5. Sports    6. Sports & Recreation    7. Motor / power boating & cruising    8. Shipbuilding technology & engineering    9. Ships & shipping: general interest    10. Sports & Recreation / Boating   

Subjects:  1. Earth Sciences - Geography    2. General    3. Geographic information systems    4. Global Positioning System    5. Life Sciences - Biology - General    6. Science    7. Science/Mathematics    8. Civil Engineering, Surveying & Building    9. Geographical information systems (GIS)    10. Navigation    11. Science / Geography   

Reviews (1)

Excellent Journal of 1880's travel through the Adirondacks
This is a compilation of stories written by George Washington Sears (a.k.a. Nessmuk) for Forest and Stream Magazine in the years 1880-1883. He paddled different custom built ultralight Rushton canoes each year,starting south of present day Old Forge, through the Fulton Chain toRaquette and reaching as far as Long Lake, Little Tupper Lake and beyond. His chronicles are enjoyable, easily readable tales of life and travel inthe wilderness of the 1880's Adirondacks.It is full of details which areinteresting to the student of Adirondack history. For instance, he allowedme to pinpoint the year of construction of the Grove Hotel (later known asthe Deerland Hotel) on Long Lake, and to give me background on it'soriginal owner. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1821-1890    2. Adirondack Mountains    3. Adirondack Mountains (N.Y.)    4. Canoeing    5. Canoes and canoeing    6. Guidebooks    7. Nature/Ecology    8. New York (State)    9. Sears, George Washington,    10. Travel - United States    11. United States - General    12. White Water Canoeing And Kayaking    13. Biography: general    14. Camping & woodcraft    15. Canoeing & kayaking    16. Sears, George Washington    17. USA   

Reviews (8)

practical guide
I got some very good ideas from this book. It's written for persons with average skills and tools, and is very easy to follow...

Runabout Renovation
This book is a great source for the do-it-yourselfer on how to repair it yourself and save money doing it.

Enlightenment
I purchased this book with a view to restoring an old (1968) fiberglass boat.
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Subjects:  1. Boating - General    2. Do-It-Yourself    3. Remodeling & Renovation - General    4. Ships & Shipbuilding - Repair & Maintenance    5. Sports & Recreation    6. Transportation    7. Boating    8. Shipbuilding technology & engineering    9. Ships & shipping: general interest    10. Sports & Recreation / Boating   

Reviews (13)

What about faith?
It's hard to rate Sander's book.If you're a secular humanist, then fine, 5 stars.If you're a Christian, watch out, 3 at best, unless you classify it as a counter-example.I bought the book to try to help my daughter get the most out of athletics, but what I found was an eye-opener.The arguments are filled with reasoning that undermines the Christian faith: 1. You can do anything if you set your mind to it.A nice can-do attitude, but what about the grace of God?Summer forgot that she never had a debilitating traffic accident (try getting Olympic swimming gold with one leg) or a disease (thyroiditis will leave you in bed, not in a pool swimming laps) or a random act of violence against her.She, plus her parental guidance, were all that was needed.Hmmm...2. Next is the issue of pure selfishness.Who really benefits from her pursuit of gold?Summer.Hours each day serving one person - yourself - when you could be serving others.I don't see another way to slice that.She makes a weak argument that not using your skill is selfish.Well, if you have a great physical talent, use if for something physically challenging that will help other people (armed forces, police, construction, anything).3. The problem with spectator sports in general is (and yes, I'm a man and I don't watch sports) that the essence of sports is pride - showing that you are "better" than everyone else.Sanders pretty much states that this was her goal.Well, pride is one of the things that God hates the most.So to make your life's pursuit the goal of showing you are better than everyone else at anything is a pretty hollow existence.It's not surprising then that her second career choice is broadcasting ("look at me!" all over again).4. Letting the kid call the shots - I let my child make decisions based on her age.I don't assume she has more wisdom than I.I would discourage my kid from taking four or more hours per day, outside of school, in a selfish, prideful pursuit.(And lastly, let's not forget that the parable of "talents" in the Bible is one of the most widely misunderstood and misapplied passages.Its meaning is in using your talents to expand the kingdom of God, not in expanding the glorification of yourself.)
Summer's Olympic Wins were a product of her Family's Support
In Summer Sander's book Champions are Raised, not Born she talks about her life and how her parents affected it.Summer believed that the measure of a true champion I show well they take a defeat and Summer was about to take them in stride.Summer believed that her four Olympic medals were not just from her hard work but from the support of her parents and coaches also.Her childhood wasn't easy with the divorce of her parents but no matter whose house she was at she had both of their support.In her childhood swimming was just something she did to make friends and take up time but it ended up changing her whole life. Couldn't put it down
As a former swimmer and as a parent of 3 age-groups swimmers I figured this book would provide some insight into success.However, i didn't anticipate how much insight I would take away from it.It is truly amazing how much Ms. Sanders had been able to accomplish in her life and it is refreshing to see that someone so young had everything in the proper perspective.Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Entertainment & Performing Arts - Television Personalities    4. Family & Relationships    5. Family/Marriage    6. Parent and child    7. Parenting - General    8. Sanders, Summer    9. Sports    10. Sports - General    11. Swimmers    12. Swimming    13. United States    14. Women    15. Women swimmers    16. Family & Relationships / Parenting   

Reviews (9)

Great Beginner Book, that's it
If you are considering buying a cat or have never sailed, this is a fine book.Info on standing up the mast putting the sails on, etc.If you know anything about sailing (can leave a spot and hit land somewhere else), this isn't the book for you.Tons of generic information on buying a boat, sailing and turning a boat.Hardly any specifics on any boat.I was very dissappointed.I was expecting a little bit on batten tension, rig tension, etc.Book briefly covers mast rake, shifting gears, and other itermediate set up techniques, but does not give much specific information on "if you do this, this will happen"

Catamaran Sailing: From Start to Finish
This book is aimed at a novice sailor, covering all the basics about sailing, such as various points of sail and tacking and gybing.I did find information that I wanted in 2 chapters about sailing cats off the beach and surfing cats.So if you are a novice, a very good book, if you are experience, seek other sources.

It's all here!
This is the best complete book on catamarans I've found yet. Great illustrations and all sorts of practical information on everything including all the basics. A truly great reference book! Good effort! 5 stars plus.... ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Catamarans    2. Sailing - General    3. Sports    4. Sports & Recreation    5. Sailing   

Reviews (2)

The Yukon: Lonesome Except for the Ghosts
Dan O'Neill drops his canoe into the Yukon River near Dawson City (Canada) and paddles downriver in search of the Alaskan homesteader and the subsistence lifestyle familiar to many from John McPhee's book, "Coming Into the Country."
Like Coming Into the Country Part 2
It seems that ever since John McPhee's Coming into the Country came out in the seventies, all stories of living in the Alaskan wilderness are compared to it.This book in many ways revisits that book and lets you know what happened to the self sufficient trappers and homesteaders that McPhee met in the seventies. And apparently they are gone.
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Subjects:  1. (Daniel T.)    2. Canada - Territories & Nunavut    3. Canoes and canoeing    4. Description And Travel    5. Essays & Travelogues    6. General    7. O'Neill, Dan    8. Special Interest - Adventure    9. Travel    10. Travel - General    11. United States - West - General    12. Yukon River (Yukon and Alaska)    13. Graphic novels    14. Modern fiction    15. Western & Pacific Coast states