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» THE BOY WHO FELL TO SHORE: The Extraordinary Life and Mysterious Disappearance of Thomas Thor Tangvald

By Charles J. Doane

Born at sea aboard his father’s handbuilt sailboat and raised barefoot on her wood decks, Thomas Thor Tangvald’s oceanic childhood was full of beauty and wonder — but was also scarred by horrific tragedies that left him an orphan. Cast ashore into regular contact with human society for the first time at age 15, this intellectually gifted and uniquely educated young man at first reveled in his new environment but ultimately was led by his trauma into spirals of addiction and broken relationships. Thomas hasn’t been seen since he sailed away from French Guiana in 2014, and some believe he must still be alive. The Boy Who Fell Ashore is an insider’s account of the Tangvald legend — all at once inspiring, terrifying, beautiful, and infuriating as author Charles Doane deftly explores the great cost of living freely at the whim of wind and water.

Latah Books » Price: $17.99

» THE COMPLETE OCEAN SKIPPER: Deep Water Voyaging, Navigation and Yacht Management

By Tom Cunliffe

Considered an essential reference for anyone interested in offshore sailing, yachting legend Tom Cunliffe’s The Complete Ocean Skipper covers everything a sailor needs to know when preparing for ocean or coastal voyages. The second edition of this definitive handbook is fully updated with new and revised content on multihulls, autopilots, radar, anchoring, and software. In it, Cunliffe covers yacht preparation including types of suitable boats, rig choices, engine power, safety equipment, communication systems, crew needs, ocean weather systems, forecasting, deck routines, watchkeeping, self-steering, emergencies, heavy weather techniques, and much more. With clear, helpful color photographs and diagrams throughout, this is a must-have book for sailors planning for or dreaming about sailing further afield.

Bloomsbury Nautical USA » Price: $35.00