The Marlinspike Sailor (INTERNATIONAL MARINE-RMP)
Product ID: 54388357
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Hervey Garrett Smith was the foremost marine illustrator of the 1950s and 1960s, and his wonderful drawings of traditional ropework quickly propelled The Marlinspike Sailor to cult classic status when it was published in 1956. With the addition of a section on modern, synthetic rope in the 1970s, its popularity has continued undiminished to this day. It teaches a few basic knots--the bowline, sheet bend, and rolling hitch, among others--and splices in three-strand and braided rope. But its real business is decorative rope and canvaswork--the traditional arts of the sailor--and here it has no equal. For a rope mat, a rope ladder, a sea chest, a ditty bag, a canvas bucket, a mast boot, and the best-looking rope fenders or heaving line in the marina, this is the book of choice. Review: Great beginners book and an interesting read. - Some other reviews have been less than charitable about this book. I disagree. This book was not published to be a comprehensive 'Bible' on fancy work. It's author's intention was to inform the beginner, in an entertaining manner, about some of the items that would have been made by the old sailors and to give them clear and easy to follow instructions on how to make some of them. It performs this function admirably. It is engagingly written, beautifully illustrated and personally I have found the pictures and text perfectly adequate to make many of the items within. If you are starting out making fancy work my advice would be to start with this book then go for something more meaty, such as Des Pawson's books which contain many more projects but that perhaps need the gentle introduction that The Marlinspike Sailor provides to get you going. Great for armchair sailors too! It is a pleasant and entertaining read and having been published in quite a large format, it will be useful for those with less than perfect eyesight as the illustrations are large and the text very clear. Well worth the small amount of money that it retails at. Review: Not the be all and end all but well worth having - This book is very much of its time and to get the best from its contents it's probably advisable to buy an introductory book on knots and ropecraft beforehand; Stewart Grainger's books would be an excellent complement. Very readable and informative. The section on splicing is especially good.
| Best Sellers Rank | 509,354 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) 712 in Sailing (Books) 1,119 in Ship References |
| Customer Reviews | 4.6 out of 5 stars 446 Reviews |
T**B
Great beginners book and an interesting read.
Some other reviews have been less than charitable about this book. I disagree. This book was not published to be a comprehensive 'Bible' on fancy work. It's author's intention was to inform the beginner, in an entertaining manner, about some of the items that would have been made by the old sailors and to give them clear and easy to follow instructions on how to make some of them. It performs this function admirably. It is engagingly written, beautifully illustrated and personally I have found the pictures and text perfectly adequate to make many of the items within. If you are starting out making fancy work my advice would be to start with this book then go for something more meaty, such as Des Pawson's books which contain many more projects but that perhaps need the gentle introduction that The Marlinspike Sailor provides to get you going. Great for armchair sailors too! It is a pleasant and entertaining read and having been published in quite a large format, it will be useful for those with less than perfect eyesight as the illustrations are large and the text very clear. Well worth the small amount of money that it retails at.
G**E
Not the be all and end all but well worth having
This book is very much of its time and to get the best from its contents it's probably advisable to buy an introductory book on knots and ropecraft beforehand; Stewart Grainger's books would be an excellent complement. Very readable and informative. The section on splicing is especially good.
R**H
Great Book and Interesting Reading
Exceptionally presented, Excellent reading and information.
M**V
great simple book.
Im a n arbourist and think its a great simple book. bought for see cadet!
P**R
Very satisfied
Fair condition (just as advertised), fast and low cost delivery, very good value. The book is very well written with a lot of good advice and easy to follow instructions specially for a classic boat owner.
C**T
Five Stars
Excellent.
J**Y
very basic
info in book was very basicand would only be of use to some one with no knowledge at all of the subject
R**E
The Marlinspike Sailror
If you are looking for an informative book to show you knots and ropework, FORGET this book. There is a lot of rambling about rope and knots but little in the way of "How to do things" More often, pictures of 90 percent finished ropework and knots keaves you wondering where to find the instructions, and for the most part, there aren't any. I am still in search of a well illustrated book that has functional and decorative knots and ropework, sadly this is NOT such a book, merely the ramblings of a boat enthusiast.
C**O
Great addition to your ropework library and skills
It is not for beginners, as a how-to so much of basic sailor knots, for that you need a basic to advanced knotbook, but it shows complex knots, a very easy way to learn to the Turks Heads and a myriad of sea/sailor related projects, both inventive and traditional. The illustrations are very good and the text is very interesting reading. It is like Herman Melville in tone, to me, reminding me of the age-old uses of rope, though it fits nicely in the modern realm, of a knot-work book, and can greatly add to your skills as you learn and improvise on the various projects mentioned. Some go beyond knot-work in sailing and other practical things. So if increasing your knowledge (it has nice descriptions of the Star Knot, Matthew Walker, and various others) and gaining some insight into the days of old, and ways to make projects that still have use and beauty in the modern time this is ONE great book to own. I was very pleased for the price. Hervey Garrett Smith did a great job and the illustrations as he points out he put them in his book because others he found were not clear, and they are a beauty too look at too. If you are just getting into Marlinspike Seasmanship/Ropework Crafts, this is a great book. I take about three with me or keep them close at hand, along with my ropework kit, and this is one of them. & his other book.
M**U
Very good book to have on board a ship
Very good book, nice illustration, helpful for developing seamanship
V**E
Des précisions sur l'Usage ,la Technique et les Origines.
Pour obtenir des précisions sur la Culture Maritime , ses Techniques et leur Histoire , les Origines... Ceci explique celà, le pourquoi du comment....
L**S
O livro apresenta trabalhos realizados com o marlinspike ecita fatos históricos, interessante.
O livro apresenta boa qualidade. Gostaria que o mesmo apresentasse outra forma de encadernação além do tipo brochura. Além de trazer uma parte histórica em seu conteúdo, é bem didático.
I**E
excellent quality, fast delivery
My previous attempt to get this book from another seller was unsuccesful, so I'm happy to get it.
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