In the Wake of the Gods: A cruising companion to the world of the Greek myths

(Paperback)

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Description

This unique and entertaining travel guide to Greek waters recreates parts of voyages undertaken in myth, anchoring off landmarks or ports associated with ancient legends. It follows the trails of Odysseus, Hercules, and Jason and the Argonauts, as well as visiting the sites where Poseidon lost his trident (off Paxos) and built his temple (on the Saronic Gulf), the cliff where Theseuss father threw himself to his death after fearing his son had been killed by the minotaur, and Troy, the remains of which survive as a reminder of the city that withstood a 10-year siege. With almost 6,000 islands in the Aegean and Ionian Seas, Greece is a maritime nation like no other and according to its mythology this has been the case since the days when seafarers believed their fortunes, good or ill, lay in the hands of Poseidon. Sailing through these crystal clear waters today is a voyage into history, whether true or legendary. Retelling all the myths, from the very well-known to the less familiar, In the Wake of the Gods is a cruising companion to be read and enjoyed in its own right. With the author's in depth knowledge of the region, it is also packed with useful and practical pointers for pilotage and passage planning, including information about prevailing winds and anchoring, along with charts and photography.

Reviews

A highly entertaining book the legends are vividly and hilariously retold and lead so appealingly from one destination to another that one wants to begin plotting the co-ordinates immediately. * Yachting Monthly *
Story driven as well as informativewonderfully readable even if one isnt heading to the Med any time soon. * Yachting Monthly *
Entertaining cruising companion to Greek watersincluding stunning colour photographyand packed with useful and practical pointers for pilotage and passage planning. * Powerboat & RIB Magazine *
Mythical tales and beautiful pictures of romantic ruins are complemented by practical advice on matters such as navigation and mooring. This beautifully presented book provides some much-needed escapism and a reminder of how important seafaring has been through the ages. * Nautilus Telegraph *
The book is filled with photography and useful and practical pointers for pilotage and passage-planning, including prevailing winds and anchorages, so you too can voyage through the world of monsters and hereos. * Classic Boat magazine *
Beautifully and profusely illustrated... Impressively informative and exceptional in both organization and presentation * Midwest Book Review *

Author Bio

Sam Jefferson is a journalist and maritime historian, and is one of the leading authorities on the clipper ship era. He is Editor of Sailing Today, and writes regularly for Classic Boat and Traditional Boats and Tall Ships. He is the author of Clipper Ships and the Golden Age of Sail, Gordon Bennett and Sea Fever, all published by Adlard Coles Nautical.