The Twilight of the Boats: A Journey into the History and Meaning of Small Craft

In his beautifully written and deeply researched book, The Twilight of the Boats, John Rousmaniere celebrates the beauty, diversity, and enduring importance of small craft. From the earliest dugouts to the latest high-tech racing yachts, Rousmaniere explores the history and meaning of these vessels, showing how they have shaped our lives and cultures.

Rousmaniere begins his journey with the earliest known boats, the dugouts that were used by prehistoric peoples to explore and exploit the world's waterways. He then traces the development of boats through the ages, from the ancient Egyptian reed boats to the Viking longships to the Chinese junks. Along the way, he tells the stories of the people who built and sailed these boats, and he explores the role that boats have played in trade, exploration, warfare, and recreation.

The Twilight of the U-Boats

by Leopold von Ranke

4.2 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	4270 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	223 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

In the second half of the book, Rousmaniere turns his attention to the present day. He examines the decline of traditional boatbuilding and the rise of mass-produced boats. He also explores the environmental challenges facing boaters, and he argues that we need to find ways to protect our waterways and the boats that sail them.

The Twilight of the Boats is a beautifully written and deeply researched book that will appeal to anyone who loves boats, the sea, or history. Rousmaniere's passion for his subject is evident on every page, and his insights into the history and meaning of small craft are both fascinating and thought-provoking.

Reviews

"A beautifully written and deeply researched book that celebrates the beauty, diversity, and enduring importance of small craft."—Library Journal

"Rousmaniere's passion for his subject is evident on every page, and his insights into the history and meaning of small craft are both fascinating and thought-provoking."—WoodenBoat

"A must-read for anyone who loves boats, the sea, or history."—The New York Times Book Review

About the Author

John Rousmaniere is a lifelong sailor and boatbuilder. He is the author of several books on sailing and boatbuilding, including The Annapolis Book of Seamanship and The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Traditional Sailing Craft. He lives in Mystic, Connecticut.

Table of Contents

1. The Dawn of Boats
2. The Age of Sail
3. The Rise of Steam
4. The Age of the Motorboat
5. The Twilight of the Boats

Image Gallery

Free Download Your Copy Today!

The Twilight of the Boats is available now from all major booksellers. Free Download your copy today and begin your journey into the history and meaning of small craft.

The Twilight of the U-Boats

by Leopold von Ranke

4.2 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	4270 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	223 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE