Book or Movie

[FastCruiser]

I post this question due to the change in media we've all seen over the years and was wondering,
If you had your choice between watching a movie about sailing, (including videos) or to pick up a good book about sailing,
Which would you rather do and why?

[denverd0n]

Depends. Most days I would rather read a book. But then there are days when just sitting in front of the tube, watching a movie, is about as ambitious as I can get. So, either... neither... both... it just depends.

[svHyLyte]

A book, definitely. Needs no power, and relies on one's own imagination rather than having someone else' imagination imposed upon one. I have two books that I originally received in the late '50's. Still on my night table, often reglued together, very yellowed, yet still enjoyable to read a few passages before sleep every night, batteries not included/needed.

[s/v Beth]

Book. What are you, a millennial?

[Stu Jackson]

There really haven't been too many good movies about sailing.

Captain Ron got it right!

There are a few others, and I'm sure some will remember them, but altogether too few.

[MarkSF]

For the millennials, a book is how people used to learn about stuff, before Wikipedia.

Sometimes they were used for entertainment, a bit like Netflix and Youtube.

[Cormorant]

Originally Posted by svHyLyte

... I have two books that I originally received in the late '50's. Still on my night table, often reglued together, very yellowed, yet still enjoyable to read a few passages before sleep every night...

Tell, tell! What books are they?

Generally I prefer a book. Though sometimes when I'm cross-eyed tired I'll indulge in a movie.

I've got some of the Arthur Ransome "Swallows and Amazons series of kids sailing books as audiobooks and they make great listening when I'm working on a job outside.

[Cap Erict3]

Liz Taylor's soliloquy in Taming the Shrew. Beyond that gimme a book.


Sent from my iPhone using Cruisers Sailing Forum

[Hudson Force]

Originally Posted by FastCruiser

..................
........... a movie about sailing or book about sailing ..........

The "about sailing" is a little unclear. If it's fiction I'd choose the book over the similar movie, but if the "about sailing" is instructional, then I'd probably choose the film.

[Mike OReilly]

Originally Posted by FastCruiser

I post this question due to the change in media we've all seen over the years and was wondering,
If you had your choice between watching a movie about sailing, (including videos) or to pick up a good book about sailing,
Which would you rather do and why?

It's a bit like asking what utensil would you choose, spoon or fork. It depends on what I'm eating.

In this case it really depends on the kind of sailing content I'm seeking. A book is far better for certain kinds of content; a video is superior for others. Which one I choose will depend on what kind of content or information I'm interested in.

[FamilyVan]

I start with a book, when I'm too drunk to read, I switch to video.

Sent from my SGH-I547C using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[ObsessionSTJ]

I have to say books. Some of my favorites have been, "An Embarrassment of Mangos", the Patrick O'Bryan series and Maiden Voyage were all great books. Besides, after watching All is Lost with Robert Redford (what a sad, sad, disappointment!) its come to my attention that most of the time real life scenarios or reactions are trumped by Hollywood silliness and drama. Not that they couldn't come out with something downright amazing! There is the potential for a great sailing movie out there!

Camile
s/v Obsession
www.mountainsandseashore.blogspot.com

[jkindredpdx]

Documentaries like:
- "180 South" or
- "Expedition to the End of the World" for their cinematography...
- "Maiden Trip"
- "Deep Water" too...
I even enjoyed Robert Redford
- "All is Lost". It seems perfectly believable that one would make those mistakes and (nearly) die.
How-to: I prefer books or magazines... as someone said no batteries required.
Classic novels like:
- Jack London's "Sea Wolf" or "Cruise of the Snark"...
- Nevil Shute's "Trustee from the Toolroom" (and others)..
- Farley Mowat's "The Serpent's Coil",
- Hammond Innes' "Wreck of the Mary Deare" (movie too)...
and the all time best spy mystery...
- Erskine Childers' "Riddle of the Sands".

[JPA Cate]

There is a film of the Shackleton Expedition which is quite good, a documentary.

Most often, books. I agree with Obsession, in that Hollywood sillinesses get in and ruin sailing films.

Ann

[Wallaby]

Writing as Neil Barry, my just released book, Chicken of the Sea, apparently should be made into a movie. People who have read it have said so again and again. I'm still waiting for that call from Hollywood, but meanwhile you can read the book on Amazon and decide for yourself.

Chicken of the Sea (the first book in a trilogy) takes the sailing/cruising novel in an entirely new direction. Don't be put off by the title--it is whimsical for a reason: from the cover onwards, nothing is what it seems. It's a book for kids 10 and up (but grownups love it too), with raw realism that will have even seasoned sailors gripping the settee.

You see, Chicken of the Sea is more than a story about dragging three cynical kids around the world, as viewed from the eyes of the eldest, 13-year-old Victor Joshua. It's a mystery where real life and fiction interact. Along with wry humor are the realistic aspects of living aboard a small sailing boat, from doing schoolwork on the dining table to the hardships of ocean voyages. There are storms at sea, fascinating foreign cultures, and exotic tropical islands. There are also clues to a past life; burns on Victor's forearms, grandparents who died in a house fire, a missing uncle and aunt, valuable first-edition books, a guitar once played by Segovia... If that's not enough, people are following them. Some of them want to kill Victor!

S/V Imagine, currently summering in Beaufort SC