Comments on: Bernard Moitessier’s, The Long Way: Four Decades Later

by: derek lewis

Sun, 27 Jun 2010 01:15:56 +0000

Sadly , another ignorant opinion. Bernard was the ONLY truly qualified skipper to start the race. Others, including Robby Knox-Johnston, only thought they knew, but succeeded on OJTC (On The Job Training) without loss of life, and returned imminently qualified. Robby was 2nd mate on a cruise ship.

You, through your ignorance, insult one of the greatest sailors of all time. Shame on you

by: William McClain

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 14:50:42 +0000

I would encourage Paetkau to read some of the psychological works of Carl Jung and then to re-read “The Long Way” as a wonderful story about the balancing of the human soul. Moitessier’s strong and very capable connection with the physical - both in his handling of the mechanisms of the ship as well as his appreciation for overall weather and climate - combined with his intent appreciation for psychic reality is beautiful. But of course if you pick the book up hoping for a gripping read of adventure on the high seas, you will be disappointed. I would suggest harlequin romances for you, though!

by: Peter Crouch

Sun, 17 Jan 2010 20:53:24 +0000

Everyone agrees that the review is ill-informed and totally misses the point of the book. Paetkau is part of the problem, not the solution to the issues facing the world today. Two things come through crystal clear in The Long Way: firstly BM’s complete love for, and affinity with the ocean (I have read alot of sailing books and never seen the contented acceptance he displays of every weather and sea condition) and secondly - and perhaps more remarkably - the environmental awareness that was regarded as wacky only 5 years ago, but which is now accepted as mainstream. A remarkable man and a great read for those with the sensitivity to appreciate it.

by: Aurimas

Thu, 07 Jan 2010 15:34:55 +0000

This review is represents a hopelessly ignorant attempt at quantifying the nature of Moitessier’s voyage. Having finished the book a few hours ago, my feelings after reading this review are somewhere between disgust and pity –disgust that this reviewer could be so incapable of overcoming his own comfortable superiority and supposed “literacy,” and pity for the very same reason.

I am sailor myself, and I imagine that Paetkou (who claims to be a “life-long acolyte of adventure sports,” as he so puts it) must have never really come close to understanding what sailing, at it’s most basic level, means to the sailor. Rather than some stemming from some kind of “egotism” - sailing, particularly cruising, as Moitessier makes very clear in his book, is about simplifying, purifying, cleansing one’s world. Sailing is about removing oneself from petty comforts and shallow entertainments in order to achieve a higher level of sensitivity and attunement to the natural world, and oneself.

by: Niko Ninagret

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 05:36:32 +0000

What an ignorant review! This is exactly this kind of writing that gives critics a bad name. It’s clear that Trevor has very much an armchair view of the entire enterprise undertaken by Moitessier. While I acknowledge that the book is a bit tedious at times, Rather than critiquing the book and the writing, Paetkau seems bent on diminishing Moitessier’s amazing achievements as some sort of macho urge to prove himself. Anyone who’s done any blue water cruising knows that machismo is the LAST THING on the mind of a distance sailor. Stick to writing about things that take place indoors, Paetkau - it’s seems that’s where you’re most at home.

by: Chris Hall

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 23:16:01 +0000

This reviewer has fairly obviously not been able to retain his attention through the entirety of either book, Slocum’s or Moitissier’s. The body of the review shows anyone who has read both texts that this fellow has skimmed parts of both books and jumped to the nearest conclusion based on his pre-conceptions of the futility and emptimness of his own souless existence. At least BM acheived significance in his “ordinary” life rather than “earning” a living talking down those that “do”.,….. Personally I pity your denuded, sterile existence if it gives vent to the sort of septic comment that you have presented here.

by: Philip Lee

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 09:46:55 +0000

It seems to me that you, like most critics, have perfected the art of diminishing the lives, actions and works of those who can create or follow their dreams. Though it is comforting to know that critics can only live off the works of others, being frustrated in their inability to create or achieve themselves.

An Artist (Painter) and Sailor

by: Oceanboy

Sat, 18 Jul 2009 16:14:51 +0000

And so this twist of Googoolian fate puts me in front of this shuddy critique of the work of the great sailor Bernard Moitessier.In summing up Bernards work,the reviewer essentially dismisses the work as a quaint literary anachronism, that’s only merits, fit into a brief notch of time in the early seventies.This of course absurd.This review is distinct in only one regard as far as I am concerned.Never have i read such an example of missing the point in a review in my life. This being said,I am now turning off my computer, and escaping this stinking cyber-mess and I am going sailing,far off the coast ,where I can experience perhaps a little of the solitude and wonder of the Sea that Bernard Moitessier was so fond of.

by: tbc

Sun, 07 Jun 2009 20:00:30 +0000

CONTINUED FROM ABOVE
All the sailing books I have come across have a repeating theme.
Go as simple as possible while relying on technology as little as possible.
I think most would agree that Moitissier was a master at this.
Has anyone read the book “An Island to Myself” by Tom Neal?
I think both these books are about self discovery, soul finding, whatever you want to call it.
Mr. Trevor above doesn’t realize this formidable task, one that has badgered man since time began, is accomplished by doing the everyday things and realizing the beauty in each of them.
I do find his review of The Long Way useful though and I plan to print it out after this post.
The spicy chicken I had for lunch is kicking in and I’m afraid I’m out of toilet paper.

by: tbc

Sun, 07 Jun 2009 19:50:35 +0000

I’ve never read the book but I did see the film “Deep Water” which tells the story of the GG race with a focus on Crowhurst.
I’ve never sailed but have been reading books on the subject for years and have always been enamoured with the idea.
At a point in the film, the chart that is on the screen shows the position of the last four sailors one of which is of course Moitissier.
The sight of his boat veering off with sure victory in his grasp because he just didn’t want to go back to land hooked me immediately.
I knew I had to find out more about this guy.
i can’t wait to read his books as I feel they make the kind of contribution that only people who have done this sort of thing can.
I’m sure the information he offeresis invaluable