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Boatlines

Scottish Craft of Sea, Coast and Canal
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Boatlines by Ian Stephen is a captivating exploration of maritime adventuring, weaving together personal journey, historical maritime events, and the profound connection between people and sea. The author, himself a seasoned sailor, intersperses insightful narratives with richly detailed accounts of seafaring and community life among Scotland's Western Isles. This travelogue is a reflective and immersive experience for readers drawn to tales of exploration and the enduring allure of the ocean.
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Format: Hardback
$4499
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you have a passion for maritime adventures and want to explore the intricate connections between the sea and storytelling. It's perfect for those who appreciate the blend of personal journeys, historical narratives, and a deep respect for the ocean's heritage.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

Boatlinesis an alternative tour round the coasts of Scotland, moving from boat to boat through past and present. This fascinating journey through Scotland's vessels should appeal both to those who do put to sea and those with a more general interest in the maritime world and its traditions.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

People are drawn to the harbours and boats of Scotland whether they have a seafaring background or not. Why do boats take on different shapes as you follow the complex shorelines of islands and mainland? And why do the sails they carry appear to be so many shapes and sizes? Then there are rowing craft or power-driven vessels which can also be considered 'classics', whether they were built for work or leisure.

As he traces the iconic forms of a selection of the boats of Scotland, Ian Stephen outlines the purposes of craft, past and present, to help gain a true understanding of this vital part of our culture. Sea conditions likely to be met and coastal geography are other factors behind the designs of a wide variety of craft.

Stories go with boats. The vessels are not seen as bare artefacts without their own soul but more like living things.

'Gorgeous, vivid prose. A writer uniquely attuned to the water, and to the relationships each boat shares with the places it shaped, his stories restore past sea roads and river routes to life.' β€” David Gange

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Reviews suggest that Boatlines is a captivating exploration of Scotland's maritime heritage, with Ian Stephen's eloquent prose bringing to life the historical significance and charm of the small boats. The book is praised for its compelling narrative, rich detail, engaging anecdotes, and a careful balance between nautical information and storytelling. It serves as an evocative tribute to the enduring bond between people and the sea, enriched by pencil illustrations and a deep cultural perspective.

Book Hero reading reviews

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781780277905

Publisher: Birlinn General

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 02 March 2023

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Birlinn Ltd

Illustration: b/w line drawings throughout

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 28.0mm

Width: 138.0mm

Height: 216.0mm

Weight: 483g

Pages: 320

About the Author

Ian Stephen is a writer, artist and storyteller from the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides. After graduating from Aberdeen University he worked for 15 years in the coastguard service, based in Stornoway, where he still lives. Since 1995 he has worked full-time in the arts after winning the inaugural Robert Louis Stevenson award. His poetry and fiction have been published throughout Europe and North America, and his first non-fiction book,Waypoints, was published to critical acclaim by Bloomsbury in 2017.

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