- Paperback: 251 pages
- Publisher: Picador; New edition edition (1 Dec 1995)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0330318853
- ISBN-13: 978-0330318853
- Product Dimensions: 19.4 x 13 x 1.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
105,266 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #43 in Books > Travel & Holiday > Countries & Regions > Australia & New Zealand > Australia
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More About the Author
Product Description
Product Description
At the age of 18, Eric Newby signed on as an apprentice on the four-masted sailing ship Moshulu of the Erikson line for the round trip from Europe to Australia and back, outwards by way of the Cape of Good Hope and round Cape Horn. This was to be an historic voyage, a dramatic personal adventure.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book and 'Learning the ropes' mean so much to me. As you will notice I am no writer or scholar. I read 'A Travellers Life' when I picked up on the story of the 'Last Grain Race'. I am no reader either but I could not put the book down. In fact just before the end I started again beacuse I didnot want to finish it! The romance for land lubbers of ships under sail is enhanced by the hard reality of life aboard. Who could climb the main mast - higher than Nelsons Column?. The only hint of the 'other' romance by the way was conjured up by mentioning his mothers friend - a picture in my mind! Sincere thanks to you Eric Newby. Man has sailed and written of it for centuries but I have only read one like yours. It will always mean a lot to me and if I have children I will read it to them - until they know it!
23 of 24 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Being an avid sailor myself, i approached this book with apprehension. However as soon i had finsihed the first chapter than was i drawn into eric's world. This book is as much a tribute to then endurance of man, as it is to the timeless square rigged tall ships and the crew that bravely man them. So engaging is the narrative that often you can taste the salt air and hear the sails fill with wind and feel the water about your ankles, and once again the crew lives. Finally a book you wish would never finish Hilarious, frightening and saddening in turns it's description of day to day life on the last great sailing ships is over all uplifting; i would recommend this book to both land lubbers and sailors alike.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Eric Newby is a renowned travel writer, and this is one of his first and best books. It tells of how in 1938 he signed on as an apprentice deck hand on a large steel square rigger engaged in the Australia - Europe grain trade. It is a fascinating, moving, exciting, funny account of the round trip with all its highs and lows, written with such skill, and passion I just couldn't put it down. You really don't have to be a sailor to enjoy this book, but if you are it's even better. A collector's item.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Well Worth Reading -
I started reading this book when I too was struggling with gale force winds and heavy seas in the Irish Sea in a boat a lot smaller than 'Moshulu', and found my nemesis in the... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Roger H. Harman
Excellent
An excellent read. Like 'A Short Walk..' this is full of adventure and excitement. Eric Newby was there at the end of an era and describes the hardships and problems of life on a... Read more
Published 8 months ago by John H. Everington
Thrilling & Inspiring Adventure
This is a superb book. Eric Newby wonderfully describes his adventures when as a 19-year old he signed up to sail on what would be the last time that a fleet of square-rigged... Read more
Published 12 months ago by engineeringstudent
A marvellous book
In my opinion one of the most entertaining and inspirational books for a young person to read. Along with Laurie Lee's "I walked out one midsummer's morning" and Paddy Leigh... Read more
Published 16 months ago by Tj Simpson
eric newby
I enjoy all of Eric Newby's books and this was no exception. Not being a sailor I would probably have enjoyed it even more if I had understood the technical terms.
Published 22 months ago by Bridgette A. Evans
The Last Grain Race
This book is a must for anyone interested in the story of sail. Eric Newby describes the hardships of life on a sailng ship, such as the very stern mates and skipper, the troubles... Read more
Published on 9 May 2010 by Kaybee
A real read - and not just for guys!
I bought this having read a couple of his other books and having read an excerpt of this in 'A Merry Dance Around the World' and it is superb - interesting, enlightening and very... Read more
Published on 23 Sep 2008 by Patricia Carline
rave over sail
His prose prompted me to by a small sailing cruiser when i retired. I will probably never make one of those epic voyages, but sailing on the Firth of Forth as I now do, I can dream
Published on 21 July 2005 by D. Morton
Excellent, easy reading and informative.
This was the first Eric Newby book I have read and caused me to read many more. A very good tale of adventure.
Published on 6 Oct 2001 by s.w.chambers@talk21.com
The last hurrah of the world's greatest sailing ships
Eric Newby, still in his teens in the early part of 1939, signs on as crew on one of the last great clipper ships making the grain run from Europe to Australia and back. Read more
Published on 25 Feb 2001 by W. Weinstein
Listmania!
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