Voyages of the Damn Foole - Hardcover

McGrath, Tom

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0070450897 ISBN 13: 9780070450899

Publisher: Intl Marine Pub, 1997

Synopsis

Tom McGrath's accounts of the cruising life aboard the tiny sailboats Damn Foole and Damn Foole II have achieved cult status in the magazine Messing About in Boats. With humor and a touch of irony, he makes observations that resonate with cruising sailors, shoestring boaters, and others who take their boats more seriously than themselves.McGrath sprinkles his sailing anecdotes with biting social commentary; he casts a satirical eye at everything from waterfront development to the Civil War, from foreign fishing boats to the arrival of the Mayflower. Never totally dogmatic, he's frequently interrupted by members of his "spirit crew," who argue various points of view and brew trouble in every port. Even the boat chimes in occasionally to settle debates or rescue the author from his mistakes. McGrath's ability to laugh at himself and his seamanship follies give these tales universal appeal.Complete with McGrath's rough pen-and-ink sketches, this is sure to become a classic among those who love

About this title

From the Back Cover:

Voyages of the Damn Foole

We jibed away and made for the Misery Islands off the shores of Pride's Crossing. When we arrived I drove the boat up on the beach of Great Misery on the run. The sails held it on shore as I ran the anchor line up the beach to a stout piece of driftwood. The boat banged around a while on the rocky beach until the tide receded and left it alone. The island was mine! I took off my shoes and perched them on a prominent rock, officially taking possession. "I'm going to explore the island," I told the boat.

"To find plunder and slaves," the boat added.

Of course I'll Christianize the poor devils, and the plunder will be used to advance civilization." I marched inland over the rocks and rolling hills, through the groves of trees and past the dense underbrush. "Everything here is mine," I kept reminding myself greedily. The birds sang cheerfully. The flowers breathed their fragrances. The vegetation reflected the sun's heat. I was ignored and left to ponder why it was called Misery Island.

I returned to the boat and was immediately asked "Where's the plunder? Where are the slaves?"

"There aren't any," I told the boat. "All the slaves have gone ashore long ago into the towns to sell the plunder in the stores and specialty shops."

"You're a fine example of humanity, can't even pillage and plunder properly," the boat said. "Let's get afloat, it's too fine a day to spend on land."

--From "The Townie and the Damn Foole"

Review:

"... the works of sailor Tom McGrath-thinly fictionalized, profusely illustrated, darkly satrical-are great favorites." -- The Boston Globe Magazine

About this edition

• Publisher: Intl Marine Pub
• Publication date: 1997
• ISBN 10: 0070450897
• ISBN 13: 9780070450899
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 186