Book Review
by Capt. Jim Cash
More Tales f rom a Gimbaled Wrist By Michael L. Martel Normally I reserve these reviews for non-fiction books about a true-to-life cruising adventure. Though Capt. Mike claims on his title page the book is a work of fiction, his collection of short stories reads more like his actual cruising experiences. I suppose he may have changed the names of some characters to protect the innocent from law enforcement, but in reading the stories it was often like de’jâ vu for me, as I’m sure it would be for anyone with some cruising experience. Mike has entertained readers in the former Lats & Atts and other venues, so if you enjoy good sea yarns these latest tales are worth your while. I’m sorry I had not had the privilege to read the first in the twobook series, and was caught unaware of the term “Gimbaled Wrist.” Mike quoted the lyrics from the chantey Tanqueray Martini-O! by Jon Campbell from which the title came, and now it seems apropos as I imagine sailors sitting in the cockpit, sharing sea tales, and holding their drinks level as the boat heels with the gusts from a Nor’easter.
130 Summer 2013 pg 130-131 Book Review.indd 2
The 27 separate stories take place mostly along the New England shore with a few sojourns to Bermuda and the Caribbean. Each story is no more than a 10-15 minute read, even if you are dosing in the cockpit on a warm afternoon. Some are tender as in Men of the Sea where he tells of a young boy accompanying his grandfather on a short fishing trip. Some are funny stories as in Last Trip of the Season, where an odiferous, forgotten bait bucket mixes with a fall snow squall to highlight the afternoon delivery, and Perils of ‘Nautical Cuisine’ where Mike makes a case for Beer as the staple for every evening meal. His story about being reunited with Privateer, a previously owned 1931 vintage yawl, grabbed me personally, having just restored a 1938 Atkin yawl myself (volume 1 Cruising Outpost). What is it about old wooden boats that kindle up emotion like family? I can’t imagine my eyes welling up as I gaze upon a ‘60s vintage, cracked and faded fiberglass Coronado... but show me an old wood Herreshoff, Atkin, or Alden and I can get misty every time.
Cruising 4/25/13 3:59 PM
