Summer Reading

This summer, I had plenty of time to read while sailing across the Atlantic as part of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race. Here are some of the interesting books I read or listened to in audio format:

The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben Peter Wohlleben, who spent most of his career managing a forest in Germany, offers an amazing book documenting his findings from years of observing trees and forest ecosystems. This book got me thinking about how trees might have reached an evolutionary stage that is more advanced than our own. Many tree species live long, slow lives and have adopted fascinating ways of thriving by doing things gradually. As a species, we live fast and short lives, so our way of living contrasts sharply with theirs. In this book, Peter explains many interesting and exciting ways trees live their lives. If you love nature, this is a must-read!

Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand While racing across the Atlantic, Unbroken was a chilling but true story about the survival of naval aviator and Olympic distance runner, Louis Zamperini, whose airplane crashed in the Pacific during World War II. Zamperini survived drifting for 47 days and was then taken to Japan as a prisoner of war (POW). This engaging story of one man’s perseverance shows what we, as human beings, can achieve against all odds. The book also provides detailed insight into the lives of POWs in Japan and sheds light on the dramatic events of the final days of the war in the Pacific.

1491 by Charles C. Mann The history of the Americas started thousands of years before Europeans discovered the continent, but the biggest challenge in telling these stories is the lack of substantial written evidence about pre-Columbian cultures. Mann goes to great lengths to depict the lives of Indigenous populations in North, Central, and South America, debunking some popular myths we’ve developed over time. In this book, you’ll learn more about how Indigenous people viewed Europeans, the cities they built, the ways they treated and affected nature, and how the encounter with Europeans destroyed great civilizations in Central America. It’s quite interesting to read a book that challenges misconceptions from traditional history narratives.

Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World by Jack Weatherford Going into this book, my knowledge of the Mongols was limited to their impact on European history, but this book was an eye-opener. It offers a better understanding of how Genghis Khan rose to power and transformed the Mongols from a nomadic tribe into an empire. Weatherford sheds light on the inner workings of Mongol culture and the strategies Khan used to rally the tribes into his empire.

SPQR by Mary Beard No other historical empire has influenced Western civilization as much as the Roman Empire. Even though Roman history has been extensively documented in books, movies, and documentaries, SPQR questions some of the known theories about the Roman Empire by drawing on contemporary writings from historians like Cicero. Beard seeks to understand the real meaning behind these writings, providing comprehensive insights into Roman politics, leaders, the fight for democracy, and the struggle for power. It’s truly an amazing read.

Some fun sailing stuff: Here are two books if you’re into sailing. These are more like handbooks than casual reading:

• Storm Tactics by Lin and Larry Pardey – An excellent guide on how to prepare your boat and yourself for an oncoming storm.
• World Cruising Routes by Jimmy Cornell – A comprehensive guide detailing sailing routes around the world, providing important information on common weather conditions and helping you prepare for passages at the ideal time of year.

I hope you find some of these interesting to pick up for next summer!