CAUGHT BY THE SEA

Spinning more vivid yarns from his anything-but-sedentary life, Paulsen (Guts, 2001, etc.) will enthrall even resolute landlubbers with this slim volume of nautical reminiscences. Writing around the twin themes of the Pacific’s profound power to harm or heal, and his own utter ignorance of boats or sailing, he describes encounters with sharks, gales, and other learning experiences on his way toward reaching an understanding with each of the three sail boats he has owned. Think seafaring Woodsong (1990). Terrifying and hilarious, sometimes simultaneously, these adventures effortlessly carry important lessons about the craft of sailing as well as the craft of living. (Autobiography. 10-12)