All the books and videos featured here are also listed in their respective categories in our maritime bookshop, and are grouped accordingly. What we have done is to provide a selection of the books and videos we think are most suitable as gifts. No matter the subject matter, they stand out as exceptional, and will surely be treasured by the lucky recipient. Remember, all items are offered at discount prices, and you can have them gift wrapped and shipped anywhere in the world, together with your personal message! If you need instructions on how to do this, just take a look at our FAQ page. Because of the illustrative cover art, this page will take a little time to load. It is well worth the wait!Boating Books and Videos:
The Gift ShopRecommended gift books
Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage
Incredible is the word! This is the exceptionally well written account of how the crew from Endurance returned from the Antarctic in a lifeboat after the ship was crushed in the ice.
Endurance: Shackleton's Legendary Antarctic Expedition
Our Book of the Month in December 1998, this is one of the greatest survival stories of all time.
What began as a journey of exploration became a 20-month battle to stay alive. Extraordinary photographs by
ship photographer, Frank Hurley. This book has been selected as No 3 on Amazon.com's Top 10 Travel Books for 1998, and is one of two boating related books on the list. No 4 on the list is "North to the Night, featured below.
Fastnet, Force 10
The definitive account of the greatest disaster in the history of yachting. Also available in paperback.
North to the Night: A Year in the Arctic Ice
After the evacuation of his wife, Alwah Simon finds himself alone in the Arctic ice, frozen in with his 36 foot steel cutter. Harrowing adventures, great photographs, and a flair for story telling.
This book has been selected as No 4 on Amazon.com's Top 10 Travel Books for 1998, and is one of two boating related books on the list.
The Strange Last Voyage of Donald Crowhurst
Our all-time favorite! This is the exceptional true story of Donald Crowhurst's attempt to become the first man to circumnavigate the globe non stop. Extremely well researched and written, it is also the story of one of the greatest hoaxes of our time - and its tragic outcome.
The Perfect Storm
The terrifying true story of a ship caught in the middle of the storm of the century - "perfect" in the sense that it could not possibly be worse. Also available in paperback.
---
Discovery of the Titanic: Exploring the Greatest of All Lost Ships
Updated (1998) version of one of the definitive "must reads" on Titanic. A first hand telling of the quest to find the sunken ship, but also a lot of information on how she ended up on the ocean floor. Beautiful pictures.
James Cameron's Titanic
Featuring Jack, and Rose, and most of all, the Titanic... A love story like no other, reviewed to 5 solid stars (the max) by its readers. Also available in paperback.
Psalm at Journey's End
Quite a few novels have been set on the Titanic up through the years, but few if any are as well written and compelling as this one. A gem! Also available in paperback.
The Titanic: The Extraordinary Story of the "Unsinkable" Ship
Compassionately written, this is a very easy to read, yet well researched account of what happened to Titanic on that fateful last night in the North Atlantic.
Titanic: Fortune and Fate
Letters, mementos, and personal effects from those who sailed on the lost ship. Absolutely wonderful pictures which words cannot do justice. A beautiful and remarkable book.
Titanic Voices: Memories from the Fateful Voyage
A must! The author makes use of numerous sources and personal accounts to tell the story, while also shedding light on many issues not often emphasized by others. Beautifully illustrated. By its nature, it is fragmented, so don't choose it for your one and only book about the Titanic disaster. But put it right after "A Night to Remember" or "Unsinkable" on your reading list!
Unsinkable: The Full Story of RMS Titanic
Published in April 1998, this may very well become the new "Bible" on the Titanic disaster. No shocking new information, but an excellent account of just about everything known about what happened to the mighty liner, the unsinkable ship...
Lost Liners: From the Titanic to the Andrea Doria the Ocean Floor Reveals It's Greatest Ships
Though no other disaster can compete with the foundering of the RMS Titanic for fame (and it is well featured here also), she is far from the only liner lost to the sea. This remarkable book will take you through more than 100 years of maritime history. A beautiful book!
---
Principles of Yacht Design
The new bible for modern sailboat design. The design and building of a 40-footer is used throughout as an well illustrated example.
The Best of the Best: The Yacht Designs of Sparkman & Stephens
This book features a 100 of the famous S & S yacht designs. Beautifully illustrated.
Yacht Style: Design and Decor Ideas from the World's Finest Yachts
So you've built (or bought!) your yacht. Now make it look good!
---
Fundamentals on Sailing, Cruising, and Racing
If you are only buying one book about sailing - this be the one!
Learn to Sail
Four-time America's Cup winner Dennis Conner knows a thing or two about sailing. And in this book, he communicates it very well to the absolute beginner.
The Complete Sailor: Learning the Art of Sailing
A great introduction to sailing, and very useful for the more experienced as well.
The Handbook of Sailing
This very comprehensive book covers any topic you can think of in basic and advanced sailing.
---
All in the Same Boat: Family Living Aboard and Cruising
So many of us dream about quitting the 9 to 5 routine, buying a sailboat, and setting sail for a world full of adventures. Here's a well written book about a family who did just that. It is a sober and informative account, but it won't stop you dreaming. In fact, some of you will go ahead and actually do it!
Dragged Aboard: A Cruising Guide for the Reluctant Mate
Most of us are not born sailors. It takes experience, practise - and sometimes even persuasion!
Good Cruising: The Illustrated Essentials
Many cruising books seem to be about doing extended blue water voyages under sail. Nothing wrong with that, but a lot of cruising is done on sailboats and motor boats alike in coastal and inshore waters - which is what this book is about. A very informative read for those who are just starting out, and not looking at circumnavigating quite yet...
The Cruising Woman's Advisor: How to Prepare for the Voyaging Life
Another book about taking the big leap, but this time from a woman's perspective. Very refreshing!
The Voyager's Handbook: The Essential Guide to Bluewater Cruising
This new book (published 1998) is likely to become the new bible for offshore cruisers, blue water sailors, circumnavitagors... Has received raving reviews from the boating press as well as its readers, and deservedly so.
---
World Cruising Handbook
If you are only buying one cruising handbook, the choice is a given!
World Cruising Routes
The comprehensive guide to almost 500 sailing routes around the world. The best possible planning aid for the long distance voyager.
---
Advanced Racing Tactics
Winning a race is not all about short-term speed. By choosing the right tactics, you can beat a faster boat - or conversely, avoid losing to those you should outperform.
Around the Buoys: A Manual of Sailboat Racing Tactics and Strategies
Comprehensive book for racers of small sailboats. Excellent as a primer, but useful for the more seasoned racers also.
Sail Like a Champion
...or like Dennis Conner, perhaps - he is the author of this book. Few people in the world know more about racing. Though it was issued in 1992, it is still very relevant.
The America's Cup: The History of Sailing's Greatest Competition in the Twentieth Century
Written by Dennis Conner, three time winner and one time loser of the most prestiguos yacht racing trophy. Very insightful from the definite insider!
---
Motorboating: A Complete Guide
Covering practically all aspects of motorboating, this is the authoritative guide to motorboating. A bestseller on the topic.
---
Chapman Piloting: Seamanship & Small Boat Handling (62nd ed.)
Excellent book for the recreational boater. If you are only likely to read one book on the subject, choose this one!
Heavy Weather Sailing
The definitive book on the subject. Not only does it provide you with a wealth of infomation and excellent advice, but it is a riveting read as well. Also has chapters on motorboat and multihull handling in bad weather.
The Ashley Book of Knots
If there ever was a bible on knots, this be the one! Magnificent, comprehensive, incredible - choose your adjectives! The only reason for the seriously knot-minded to consider something else is the somewhat stiff price.
The Handbook of Knots
Good alternative for the practical user.
An excellent gift that will keep on giving. And with a 25-85% saving off the cover price, it's a bargain. Go to our Magazine page for more information. There are numerous boating mags to choose from...and thousands of others!
Please note that these videos are in NTSC format. This is the system used in the US and Canada. For overseas orders, please make sure that your VCR can show tapes in the NTSC format.
The Incredible Voyage of Bill Pinkney
The tale of a single handed circumnavigation, narrated by Bill Cosby.
Sailing With Confidence
Excellent primer.
Drum: The Journey of a Lifetime
Join Simon le Bon and crew on the racing yacht "Drum" as they participate in the Whitbread Around the World Race.
Weather, You and Boating
Very useful for all boaters, sailing or powerboat, large or small!
Search for more titles
For more books click on your category of choice on the menu. No menu?
Go here.Do you have suggestions for books that should be listed here? Please send us an
email!ã
The Boating Bookshop, 1998