Sea Fever: The True Adventures that Inspired our Greatest Maritime Authors, from Conrad to Masefield, Melville and Hemingway - Hardcover

Jefferson, Sam

3.78

27 ratings by Goodreads

9781472908810: Sea Fever: The True Adventures that Inspired our Greatest Maritime Authors, from Conrad to Masefield, Melville and Hemingway

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1472908813 ISBN 13: 9781472908810

Publisher: Adlard Coles, 2015

View all copies of this ISBN edition:

How did a big-game fishing trip rudely interrupted by sharks inspire one of the key scenes in Hemingway's The Old Man and the Sea? How did Robert Louis Stevenson's cruise to the cannibal-infested South Sea islands prove instrumental in his writing of The Beach of Falesa and The Ebb Tide? How did Masefield survive Cape Horn and a near-nervous breakdown to write Sea Fever?

The waters of this world have swirled through storytelling ever since the Celts spun the tale of Beowulf and Homer narrated The Odyssey. This enthralling book takes us on a tour of the most dangerous, exciting and often eccentric escapades of literature's sailing stars, and how these true stories inspired and informed their best-loved works. Arthur Ransome, Erskine Childers, Jack London and many others are featured as we find out how extraordinary fact fed into unforgettable fiction.

"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.

About the Author:

Sam Jefferson is a journalist and maritime historian, and is one of the leading authorities on the clipper ship era. He is a former deputy editor of Sailing Today, and writes regularly for Classic Boat, Sailing Today, and Traditional Boats and Tall Ships. He is the author of Clipper Ships and the Golden Age of Sail, published by Adlard Coles Nautical.

Review:

“It is a testament to Jefferson's curatorial ability and joyful expository pen, as well as the famed words of his subjects, that could make readers long, sickly, for the sea.” ―Paste Magazine

“Those who relish historical fiction, seafaring and maritime history or adventure, and literary history are sure to find much to enjoy in this pleasurable read.” ―starred review, Library Journal

“Including 11 stories that inspired the ranks of Herman Melville, Ernest Hemingway, Joseph Conrad and others, this is a cool collection for lit fans and history buffs alike.” ―best new May books, Paste Magazine

“Jefferson's study of how seafaring has influenced great American and English writers has moments of great charm.” ―Publishers Weekly

“It's the perfect books for bibliophilic maritime enthusiast and if you have one of those in your life or are one I suggest you read this book.” ―Reet Champion Book Reviews

“This enthralling book takes us on a tour of the most dangerous, exciting and often eccentric escapades of literature's sailing stars, and how these true stories inspired and informed their best loved works.” ―Historical Naval Fiction

“Sea Fever carries the subtitle The true adventures that inspired our greatest maritime authors, from Conrad to Masefield, Melville and Hemingway. The subtitle says it all.” ―English Plus Language Blog

"With Sea Fever, Jefferson has shown us the stranger than fiction lives of the great nautical novelists, and to his credit, the masters do not overshadow his fine writing." ―Sailing Magazine

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.