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Product Description
Review
'The Griffiths' magic has been reflected in his writing, so that it has touched the lives of innumerable people. It would be hard to guess just how many of them owe the kindling of their first enthusiasm to some chance passage in The Magic of the Swatchways'. J D Sleightholme 'I have always regarded it as one of the best yachting books ever written, fit to rank with Erskine Childers' Riddle of the Sands, among the very few immortals'. Frank Carr 'If anyone has not read this charming and evocative book, do so at once'. Classic Boat
--This text refers to the
Hardcover
edition.
Product Description
This is a beautiful gift edition of a much loved classic. In the words of John Leather, 'few sailing books become classics like this one', and since first publication in 1932 it has lost none of that fresh charm which has endeared it to so many generations of sailors. The Magic of the Swatchways rejoices in the natural romance of the wild and deserted creeks and views of the East Coast of England, speaking to those who love to explore in small boats. It is a book that will enthrall anyone who is entranced by the peace and solitude of the creeks at night and the moan of the sea on the sands. The Magic of the Swatchways provides a fascinating insight into a unique and beautiful area which may never again be the same.
--This text refers to the
Hardcover
edition.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Magic of the Swatchways has long been revered amongst yachting enthusiasts as a classic description of 1920s yachting in the Thames Estuary. The problem with the copies available is that most of them were published in "cheap editions", small and often scruffy with limited illustrations. Now Dick Durham has done both the yachting fraternity and lovers of Essex a favour by having produced a large well laid out version of the original text and illustrations with additional illustrations. Many of these additional illustrations are from his own photographs, often featuring his own boat, and these are superb. If I have any reservations it is about the obtrusiveness of Dick Durham in the book. He obviously revered Maurice Griffiths and seeks associatiobn with him almost to excess. Thus photographs are captioned with such phrases as "a favourite of Maurice Griffiths and Dick Durham also......", "Maurice Griffiths learned to sail here as did Dick Durham" ... etc etc. We really don't need to know so much about what Dick Durham likes and does. There are also two pages entitled "About Dick Durham" which is surely more than enough. Dick Durham has written his own book on the area "On and Offshore" and this is a highly enjoyable read so he does not need to push in on anothers authors work quite so obtrusively. This book is by Maurice Griffiths and he is the only author we need - as I said the photographs are superb, but the captions could have been about Maurice Griffiths with a simple "Photograph by Dick Durham." I feel somewhat churlish with this complaint as the book itself is superb and a total delight to read. There is no doubt that Dick Durham, for all his uneccessary appearances, has done us all a favour by overseeing this publication. One of the most enjoyable books I have read and highly recommended. Sorry to complain about you Dick as you have provided me with enormous pleasure.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is a series of stories about sailing the East Coast rivers in the 1930s. If you know the area now you'll be intrigued by the things that have changed... and those that haven't. If you don't know the east coast you'll be enchanted by the vivid descriptions of sailing without today's mod-cons - and a little shamefaced too I'll bet!
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
An evocative view of small boat sailing on the East coast of England,in a bygone era.Sail with with Griffiths as he discovers the creeks and tidal backwaters of the Thames Estuary and Essesx coastline of the 1930`s in the small wooden sailing boats he so obviously loved and lived his life for. As editor of 'Yachting Monthly' for many years he was a very experienced sailor, with the rare gift of an ability to transport his readers as he journeys along the coast of an England long ago dissapeared. An absolute must for any sailors bookshelf!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Evocative, Marvellous!
If you're a sailor (and particularly an East Coast sailor) this book is more than highly recommended, it's a must-read. Read more
Published 12 months ago by T. Hargest
The east coast estuaries at their best
I have just finished reading this book. I could not put it down. If you are a sailor of small boats and know the East Coast you will enjoy this peaceful and exhilarating book. Read more
Published 13 months ago by CJM
Great little book!
Superb read for those that hanker after the golden age of messing around in boats - especially if you're familiar with the east coast of Britain. Read more
Published on 4 Feb 2009 by D. Gray
How I didn't drown on the Swatchways
This is a marvellous book, especially for someone like me who sails the same area today. Eighty years on and some things have remained the same like the places and the names of the... Read more
Published on 9 Aug 2007 by Paul Oldham
For those who love the rivers leading down to the sea...
I really can't describe how much this book means to me. It is a beautifully-written, evocative and timeless description of sailing on the magical creeks and swatchways of... Read more
Published on 14 Jan 2006 by J. Scott
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