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The Breath of Angels: A True Story of Life and Death at Sea (Sheridan House Maritime Classics) Paperback – January 25, 1997

by John Beattie (Author)
4.0 4.0 out of 5 stars 46 ratings
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Even as a teenager, John Beattie felt drawn to the ocean, but it was twenty-five years before his dreams of sailing the globe in his 35-foot yacht Warrior Queen could begin to come true. His voyage began in England and continued to the South American coast and into the depths of the rain forests via uncharted tributaries. The adventure reached a stirring climax during his return voyage from Venezuela. One day at dawn, hundreds of miles from land, he spotted a man dying of thirst aboard a drifting open boat, a man given one last slender chance to live.

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Previous page
  1. Print length
    270 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Sheridan House
  4. Publication date
    January 25, 1997
  5. Dimensions
    6 x 1 x 9 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1574090283
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1574090284
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

Beattie's humor is delightful and he's a good storyteller. His love, longing, anger, and frustration are described with candor that is eloquent....His descriptions of the people who befriend him and the land and seascape are vivid....This is a book that will be enjoyed by armchair travelers who have never been aboard a boat and have no desire to do so. For those of us with a passion for boats and travel it's a book to savor. Buy several copies, you'll want to share it with all your friends. ― Coastal Cruising

About the Author

John Beattie is a writer and sailing enthusiast.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Sheridan House (January 25, 1997)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 270 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1574090283
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1574090284
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 1 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.0 4.0 out of 5 stars 46 ratings

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John Beattie

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Customer reviews

4 out of 5 stars
4 out of 5
46 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

RickRap
5.0 out of 5 stars Stoic
Reviewed in the United States on October 2, 2000
Verified Purchase
One of the most understated of adventures I've read. Beattie just brushes the surface of emotions that most of us would feel under some of the circumstances he encountered. In fact, most of us would have given up long before ever setting out to sea. I am a sailor and know many hardcore sailors who would see this tale as complete foolishness. They would never have persevered as Beattie did. Likewise, they would not have felt the rapture and reward that John felt once his troubles were behind him.
The amazing ending to this book is just too incredible for fiction. That Beattie only gives a one-page account of his life afterwards is testamant to how much of an impact it had on him.
4 people found this helpful
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Wentworth Foster
4.0 out of 5 stars What's it REALLY like to single-hand across the Atlantic?
Reviewed in the United States on December 15, 1997
John Beattie's book is a true account of his trip from the east coast of England, through Scotland, and across to the Caribbean, in a 35-foot sailboat, often all by himself. His writing is so moving that I almost felt I was along for the trip, and I have to admit I'm glad I was warm and safe at home while he was out there. This book is to single-handed small-boat ocean sailing what "Into Thin Air" is to Himalayan mountain climbing. You don't have to plan to emulate the trip in order to enjoy thoroughly reading about it. Wentworth Foster
3 people found this helpful
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gzentz@aol.com
5.0 out of 5 stars A gripping narrative that is multi-dimensional.
Reviewed in the United States on December 1, 1997
John Beattie could not have scripted a better book; he had to live it. The story that rests on the surface of this book is at times funny, always fast moving, and just plain moving...all at once and all consuming; you do not want to put the book down. But as you read you come to a series of revelations. It is not just a narrative going on here, but a series of discoveries, for the reader that is. It is an evolution if you will, that culminates in '...life and death at sea.' The discoveries are profound, as the writing often is, and lays bare the author's many conflicts and struggles as he crosses the Atlantic Ocean in his 35' sail boat. But what is notable is that regardless of the number and degree of challenges he faces, many of them immediately life threatening, you never get the feeling that he will give up. From the first days sailing he has reason, and opportunity, to give up...but he does not and it is only about half-way through reading this book that you realize that giving up does not enter into his personal equation. The reason it takes so long for that message to dawn on you is that he stays well and thoroughly 'out of your face'. That is, his writing is honest and never presumptious. Though you are at times reading high-drama, he does not force the drama onto you. There is humility and sometimes great understatement that anyone, whether a sailor or not, can see is sincere. With the final 'episode' that relates most directly to the '...life and death at sea...' you realize that the point of the book, besides giving you a great read, is about vision, and goals, and fighting odds. There can be found inspiration in these pages but it's motivating with absolutely no trace of preaching. You will also find that John Beattie, while posessing a marvelous deterministic way of looking at life and nature, is blessed with analytical and descriptive skills that are nothing less than 'high prose'. So, 'high praise' for John Beattie's book.
11 people found this helpful
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Carolyn Meehan
5.0 out of 5 stars A good book to snuggle up with.
Reviewed in the United States on January 4, 1998
John Beattie should write another book. I presume it is his first attempt at a book and by the end he was really in his stride as a great writer.A bit more technical than a landlubber cares for at the beginning, hence the "9" rating. A very absorbing tale full of plenty of harrowing adventures. A sure "10" part way through the book. I just hope he has more sailing or other adventures to write about soon.
One person found this helpful
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N. Mark Wiltz
4.0 out of 5 stars Salty and enjoyable, yet somewhat disjointed
Reviewed in the United States on December 15, 1997
Seems that starting out on a sailing voyage without much experience or true expectations is often times the most popular methods. And similarly this boat does have it's problems, as the does the Skipper's judgement. But after slowing down to the pace of this book and acknowledging the particular mindset of the author, it's really a nice read about Singlehanded Sailing, and the unique communities that establish themsselves in the harbours and ports around the world. But what really impresses, is the courage, humility and politeness of the young man rescued so near death! The dealings with the 3-rd world politics is something every American should realize, if not experience.
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lilangel_29@hotmail.com
4.0 out of 5 stars I thought that it was very touching .
Reviewed in the United States on August 28, 1998
I would have to say that I loved it. I had to read it twice just to make sure. I hope everyone who buys the book will enjoy it cause I sure did.
3 people found this helpful
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corderosail@hotmail.com
4.0 out of 5 stars ENTERTAINING, EDUCATING
Reviewed in the United States on January 7, 1999
THERE WERE PAGES WHEN YOU FEEL RIGHT NEXT TO THE WRITER. KEPT MY ATTENTION FROM BEGINNIG TO END.
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Top reviews from other countries

jill
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 15, 2023
Verified Purchase
Not the sort of book I’d normally read, but after meeting John I was keen to read his story. It certainly didn’t disappoint, from start to finish, this book certainly held my attention. Would thoroughly recommend if you’re looking for a true story of one man’s sheer determination to fulfil his dreams, I applaud you John 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
One person found this helpful
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Suzanne C.
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in Canada on February 16, 2018
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Perfect, thanks.
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Emerald Guardian
4.0 out of 5 stars A great book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 18, 2022
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This is a great book with a heartwarming story. Well worth a read for those of us who are kind of heart.
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Mrs Y McMullen
5.0 out of 5 stars I loved, loved, loved this book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 29, 2022
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I have to be honest and admit that this is not the kind of book I would normally go for - I don't sail, I know nothing about boats and well....how interesting could it be? I am so indebted to my travel book group for suggesting John Beattie's story as our monthly book choice - I was captivated. Such was the quality of the writing, the nature of the adventure and the wonderful collection of individuals which peopled this travel account that I could not turn the pages fast enough to find out what was going to happen next. I am just so disappointed that he has not written a follow up book (if the author should happen to read this....get on with it please!)
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Gillian
5.0 out of 5 stars An Absolutely Amazing Story
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 28, 2022
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John’s book is amazing. He had a lifelong dream and fulfilled it. I found his writing style easy to read and his descriptive use of the English language both beautiful and inspiring. Knowing John through the Bangor Ukes made his book even more incredible and enjoyable. I recommended Breath of Angels to my U3A book group who raved about it and I found it even better reading it through for the second time. There is a video reconstruction on YouTube but only watch it after you have finished the book or you will spoil the end of John’s amazing story.
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