All Hands on Deck: A Modern-Day High Seas Adventure to the Far Side of the World by Will Sofrin

Will Sofrin, a seasoned sailor and shipwright, joins a crew tasked with delivering the Rose, a replica of an 18th-century British warship, from Newport, Rhode Island, to the California.Why? So it can be used as the iconic HMS Surprise in the film Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World. This is no easy journey—the crew faces a grueling 6,000-mile voyage through the unpredictable waters of the Atlantic and the Caribbean, all while navigating the challenges of sailing an old wooden ship with 18th-century technology in the modern world.

From battling storms to dealing with mechanical failures, the crew faces constant challenges, but Sofrin’s storytelling is full of humor and heart, capturing the camaraderie and tension that comes with life in such close quarters.

If you’re a fan of sailing, you’ll appreciate the authenticity and detail Sofrin brings to the technical aspects of running such a ship. But even if you know nothing about boats, the story is told in an approachable and engaging way—Sofrin makes you feel like part of the crew, experiencing both the highs and lows of the voyage.

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Sailing Alone: A Surprising History of Isolation and Survival at Sea by Richard J. King

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Everest, Inc.: The Renegades and Rogues Who Built an Industry at the Top of the World by Will Cockrell