The Voyage of the Cormorant Hardcover – July 15, 2012

Neither my surfing skills nor my sailing skills are on par with Christian's, but those differences pale in comparison to his acumen as a writer. Whether elucidating his upbringing and personal background, the building of Cormorant, the details of her tame and wild reaches, his calm MacGyver-ing, the pristine liquid ramps he found and rode, or the warmth and acceptance of the Mexican fishermen and families, I truly felt fully immersed in his adventure. I am grateful for his willingness to share and bring the reader along with him on both his outer and inner journeys. Not only could I not put the book down, but I simultaneously exhausted Google Maps' images of the Baja coastline as I followed along (I think I found that schooner!) Given enough time, and perhaps a little more displacement and canvas, I have no doubt I would have just finished a book rivaling the tales of Slocum and Shackleton. This is a must-read for anyone who loves pushing the limits of their body, mind and soul. Thank you Christian, I can't wait for the sequel!!!

I don't know much about sailing and I am not a surfer, but for anyone who enjoys tales of adventure this is a book you will not be able to put down. It's the true story of a thoughtful young man who builds his own small boat and then sails it alone half way down the Baja Peninsula.The book includes maps allowing the reader to follow the author's route and the writing is fast-paced and brisk. Although some of the sailing terms are tough to follow for one unfamiliar, the story was still engaging because Beamish provides terrific details of encounters with sea life, the dark solitude of the open ocean and meeting with the locals. In spite of finding people during his intermittent landfall, his loneliness is palpable and the reader wonders how long he can endure.Interestingly, one of his overriding concerns apart from finding good surf is FOOD. Beamish details his simple meals often and with a thoroughness that would provide a comprehensive guide of what to bring along to any reader embarking on a similar journey.Yet it is not just the day-to-day practicalities that make this story so worthwhile. Beamish also searches for some connection to the natural world and it is through this arduous endeavor that he hopes to succeed.

Every page was exciting! I sent my son a copy and he loved it too

Awesome story! If you’re interested in surfing and/or dangerous adventures, you’ll enjoy this one. I’ve surfed in some of the areas Beamish sailed through so I was extra engaged in this book. Highly recommended.

If you like first person accounts of real life adventure in modern times you might enjoy this. The author, a former magazine writer/editor, sails and rows along the Baja coast in search of pristine surf spots. Along the way he encounters miscreants, vagabonds and honest, hard working locals with whom he banters and barters. The author built his small open wooden boat and relies on his own wits to navigate the winds and currents along this isolated stretch of Mexico with next to no outside help. An enjoyable account especially interesting to sailors of traditional small boats.

This incredible book is a "must read" for anyone who is adventuresome or likes to read of those who are! The author/adventurer, Christian Beamish recounts his voyage on his hand crafted sailing ship the Cormorant where he sailed alone on the central Baja coast - camping in coves at night, and surfing/sailing during the day. As a former associate editor of The Surfer's Journal, Christian's well-written journal will take you to places you never imagined, on sea and land. His writing places you side-by-side with him throughout the entire adventure, and you only hope his escapades never end. Of course they do, but you are left with many nuggets of great insight which may cause you to attempt something you never thought you could.Very inspiring!

Mr. Beamish writes well about an area of the world I have often wondered about. The western coast of the Baja Peninsula is a desolate place requiring a robust and adventurous spirit to explore in a small boat. His insights and experiences handling, stock and living on his homebuilt, small, open sailboat are quite informative for the would be as well as armchair explorer. Worth the read but a little short on the technical aspects of what it actually takes to equip yourself for an extended coastal cruise.

Having spent much of my early adult life exploring and surfing Baja California, Mexico, I am now entrenched in a typical American middle class voyage of surviving mid-life adulthood, parenting two amazing children and being a husband to my wonderful wife. As I look around at my home, cars, modern appliances and other conveniences of my life, I can't help - after reading this book - to be truly jealous of the simple human experiences Christian has during this trip. My wanderlust is sparked to life and I want to extract myself from all the trappings and convenience of modern life and the debt and complexities that accumulate along with it. This book struck a cord in my soul.I found it educational from a non-sailor point of view as well. Things that I would never have considered brought to light - from a nature perspective and an equipment perspective.His heart aching loneliness put a human perspective at the core of this adventure. His ability to meet the locals on an equal level (be they animal or human) says much about the person Christian is.Well done Christian Beamish - an unpretentious adventure that allows this ever-shrinking world to seem large again.

cracker loved it.cracker loved it.cracker loved it.cracker loved it.C r a c k E r !

Man builds small engineless sail boat, he then takes said vessel on increasingly adventurous passages building up to a final voyage of personal significance.Along the way he embraces people from other cultures, challenges himself physically, emotionally and mentally taking solace in his little craft and the nature writings of the masters.Not everyone's cup of tea, but for mine it is a great series of adventures which are well narrated.

This book is so good that I have read it numerous times! I first got the e-book and liked it so much that I had to order the hardbound version. If you like reading, sailing and surfing, you’re in for a treat!

Stunning adventure, already planning my own build....... in my head! Beautifully written, Beamish really understands how to let you experience his encounters.

I bought this for my surfer Husband and he loves the story. A good book for any true sea adventurer