Leaves of the tulip tree: Autobiography

Cruising in Catamarans
Average customer rating:

Over $150 for a book?!?

Excellent book about catamaran sailing

Some good information

useful information but annoying writting style

Excellent, very informative; but not for everyone.

Cruising in Catamarans
Charles E. Kanter
Manufacturer: Sailco Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Similar Items:

The Cruising Multihull

Sailor's Multihull Guide to the Best Cruising Catamarans & Trimarans

Multihull Cruising Fundamentals: The Official American Sailing Association Guide to Cruising Multihulls

Sailing Promise: Around the World on a Catamaran

World Cruising Routes

ASIN: 0961840668

Book Description

How To: Determine your own crusing needs

How To: Rate the cruising boat of your dreams!

How To: Compare various catamarans and trimarans, both new and used that are on the market.

This book contains numerous aids, forms, and graphs to help you compare cruising boats, no matter how many hulls they have!

Bonus! Anchoring tricks of the trade. Learn about bridles, kellets, star and Bahamian moorings, anchoring modern light displacement boats

Bonus! Most extensive glossary of nautical need-to-know. A book in itself!

Bonus! Photos, diagrams and descriptions of the user-friendly and not so friendly aspects of cruising catamarans spelled out in a no holds barred manner from a marine surveyor with no financial ties to any boat, product or service.

Customer Reviews:

Over $150 for a book?!?.......2007-09-11

Clearly this book is intended only for libraries. The absurd price is a brutal assessment of the publishing world of the book's potential to sell to a general public. If they had expected it to sell more widely, they would have priced it differently. So this is a challenge to all those who rate this book highly: what have the publishers missed, and can you produce sales statistics that prove them wrong?

Excellent book about catamaran sailing.......2007-08-05

This is the book that I had hoped Chris White's "The Cruising Multihull" would be when I bought it. Chris White's book was rather a disappointment, however (although good in its own way) but this book definitely hit the spot!

In some ways this is a bit of an odd book. Firstly it's strangely large (US Letter sized, kind of like A4) so it's not exactly a comfortable read in a small space. The cover (particularly the back) is pretty cheesy for a book published in 1992, the arrangement inside is sometimes a bit haphazard (with weird font changes in some of the page headers, for example) and the divisions into Book 1, Book 2 and Book 3 would be far more sensibly termed Part 1, Part 2, Part 3. An edit for grammar errors would have been good too (the dreaded grocer's apostrophe makes a regular appearance).

But all that's pretty unimportant when you open the book randomly and start reading. Anywhere. As soon as you start you're sucked in. Charles Kanter has a great way with his writing, you get the impression you're sitting on a boat pootling along and he's just chatting to you generally about sailing. His writing style is very personal with large numbers of anecdotes from his years as a catamaran owner, tester, delivery skipper and surveyor. There are some photographs and some pictures throughout, generally not that brilliant, but the prose is excellent and keeps you reading.

There is some repetition in the arrangement of the book (the galley/fridge arrangement is mentioned in two places, as are some other aspects) and in fact the divisions between specific sections aren't always clear, but somehow this doesn't seem to matter, you're always going to want to read the whole thing anyway. Some of his anecdotes are repeated too but, again, that would probably happen in a conversation with a person and that's what this book feels like.

What was particularly good about the book was that he gives you an idea of what it's like to actually sail a catamaran, how it feels, what you should do differently to monohull sailing. That's what I wanted from Chris White's book (and didn't really get). This book is also mostly about catamarans (he has a short section on trimarans at the end and mentions them periodically in the main text) and it's five years more recent than Chris White's book too.

There's the obligatory section on safety (that cats are safer to sail than monos, the argument that continues today amongst the monohull community) and it's well written. Yes, all boats are dangerous in their own way as sailing can be a dangerous sport, but the explanations of the differences between monohulls and cats was excellently explained. As a slightly nervous sailor about to switch from a mono to a cat I lapped this all up.

Book 3 (or Part 3!) lists 'current' catamarans in production and then ones out of production - or at least some of them, ones that Charles Kanter has sailed and surveyed. This section is by no means exhaustive; you might find your cat/intended cat in here, you might not. I did, and it got a good write-up, but this section is very much his opinions and views and it's hard to judge one cat against another in it. It's clear which ones he doesn't like (e.g. Catana) and ones he does (e.g. Gemini) but I imagine his opinion is more valid than most as he has so much experience. He also has experience in older boats which are likely to be more in the price ranges of a lot of people - he's a big fan of Hirondelles, for example.

Now one thing you'll discover fairly early on is that Mr Kanter thinks one of the most important things on your cat is... the rubbing strip. Not exactly the priority of most people but something he thinks is vital. As is a toe-rail. This is because the book is written for the normal cruiser (not racer), someone who's going to be tying up to docks more than racing across oceans. As he points out, most boats spend 90% or more of their time in dock, so he pays significant attention to how a boat behaves in the dock (for example his consideration of the design flaw of windows angled badly so they turn the inside into a sauna). He's writing from a US perspective where shallow draught is very important (not such a big deal around the coast of the UK) so he prefers boats with centreboards/daggerboards than LAR keels and he's very interested in decent fridges (at one point he says that British boats don't have as good fridges as Britain is colder and we drink our beer warm). He also thinks a double-bowl sink is required and in fact his whole section on the monohull galley was a revelation. He's not a fan of all lines led back to the cockpit as he thinks sometimes this makes more work (how??) but generally I found myself agreeing with most of what he said, from my very limited experience. This book enabled me to feel more confident about the stability and safety of catamarans and the one that I have chosen in particular.

Book 3 with the info on different boat models is worth a complete read-through as there are some little gem stories stuck in there, including a delivery trip through a hurricane and two gales. The pictures in this section are often rather hard to make out but even something theoretically as dull as a listing of different boat types becomes interesting when this author is writing about it.

In short, this book does exactly what it says on the tin (or on the subtitle): "How to compare, select and sail catamarans for cruising". If you're a racing cat sailor this book isn't for you but if you're the sort of sailor who wants to get from A to B in comfort, without getting drenched, without hanging on for dear life as you heel over and enjoying overtaking monohulls of the same length as yours this is a great book and I heartily recommend it.

Some good information.......2006-09-30

I was disappointed in this book after reading the other reviews. It seems like this is the best book available on cruising cats, but if so the others must be very poor.

It was more like a collection of notes. It didn't seem like it had been edited or proof read. There were sentences that didn't make sense, words omitted and spelling mistakes. The book was badly laid out with poor structure and style. All this wouldn't have mattered if the information was good. Some of it was.

Charles Kanter has a few pet hates and he laboured these points. Things like excessive beam and quarterdeck steering position. He also went on a bit about the advantages of cats over monohulls. Most people who buy this book will have already come to that conclusion. A short review of the advantages would have been sufficient. He also devoted a lot of space to brief reviews of different models, some of which are pretty rare. It might have been better if he'd done a proper review of the top 10 selling production models. He also devoted quite a lot of space to trimarans. There is a large chunk of the book devoted to the importance of having your boat professionally surveyed, which, coming from a professional suveyor, was a bit of a laboured sales pitch.

What I want from this book was more information on how to handle a catamaran, anchoring, mooring and berthing considerations, heavy weather sailing, sail trimming, down-wind sailing, how to avoid or reduce slamming, shoal water anchoring, best practice for beaching a cat etc.. There were bits of this.

So, a mixed bag. Having looked at the reviews of other books about cats it may be the best one available, which only makes me want to write a better one.

useful information but annoying writting style.......2006-08-23

Mr. Kanter has a lot of experience with multihulls a fact that he reminds the reader every other paragraph. He also seems to feel that every paragraph must be showing that multihulls are in someway better than monohulls rather than just providing information. There is a lot of good information in this book but by the end of it I wanted to slap the author.

Excellent, very informative; but not for everyone........2006-08-05

Charles Kanter's "Cruising in Catamarans" is an excellent book that tells readers a lot about hull, deck, and interior configurations, exterior rigging options, and advice on how to sail them and park them in lousy as well as optimum conditions. His wide experience surveying and sailing catamarans of various models and sizes enables Mr. Kanter to offer informed opinions, often accompanied with photos to bolster his argument.

The book is not a primer, nor an introduction to sailing. Kanter targets experienced sailors who are considering changing from monohull boats to catamarans and want to know more - a lot more. The author does not disappoint in that regard.

Kanter's nautical lexicon exceeds that of many sailors, as well as the book's own glossary. Although amply endowed with pictures, a few more would have been helpful. For example, the photo of a chafe-prone skene bow chock is not juxtaposed to a picture of the recommended alternative roller chock - a vastly different bit of hardware. Although technology is already beginning to overtake the book's content (e.g., no mention of LED lighting), readers contemplating catamaran cruising will love this book.

Sailor's Multihull Guide to the Best Cruising Catamarans & Trimarans

Average customer rating:

Worthwhile Purchase
Superficial - An infomercial in book form
There are better books for your $$
The Cruising Multihill / Sailors' Multihull Guide
More Than A Reference Book

Sailor's Multihull Guide to the Best Cruising Catamarans & Trimarans
Kevin Jeffrey , and Nan Jeffrey
Manufacturer: Avalon House Pub.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Sports | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

The Cruising Multihull
Multihull Cruising Fundamentals: The Official American Sailing Association Guide to Cruising Multihulls
Cruising in Catamarans
Sailing Promise: Around the World on a Catamaran
Catamarans, Every Sailor's Guide

ASIN: 0962756288

Book Description

New For The Third Edition: Power Multihulls!

While our focus remains steadfastly on currently available sailing multihulls, in this Third Edition of SAILOR'S MULTIHULL GUIDE we are pleased to feature a fine selection of power multihulls from the builders of sailing catamarans and trimarans

Customer Reviews:

Worthwhile Purchase.......2005-12-04

While I agree to certain extent with the other reviewers, you would have to purchase many magazines and other types of literature to collect this much model specific multihull sailboat information. This book used in conjuction with multihulldynamics.com can be a great resource in comparing one mulithull to another regarding performance and stability.

Superficial - An infomercial in book form.......2004-06-18

This book touches very superficially on the standard topics found in books on sailing and seamanship. In fact, the first 115 pages appear to have been taken from the introductory paragraphs of chapters from other books and given the authors list that is probably the case. The information is so superficial it is not educational. At the end of each text chapter an individual or a business is recommended to the reader for further help in that area. The next section of this book is advertising that includes color pictures of boats and accessories, information that is readily found in sailing magazines. The final section that starts at page 128 and goes to page 471 is a two page per boat general information and specifications that are clearly provided by the manufacturer. No effort is made to evaluate or categorized any boat for its appropriate use, i.e. inland water, coastal or blue water use, but are all categorized as a `cruising' multihull. This book is essentially a $21 catalog or directory of multihull boats. It is an infomercial in book form.

There are better books for your $$.......2003-10-15

This book was a disappointment. See A.Amatori's 21 March 2003 review - I concur with it completely. Wish I would have read that review before purchasing.

On the plus side, it does provide an overview of many of the currently produced multihulls in case you want basic info.

Far better books are Chris White's "The Cruising Multihull" and Charles Kanter's "Cruising in Catamarans".

The Cruising Multihill / Sailors' Multihull Guide.......2003-08-31

I purchased these two books together and would not do so again as they cover pretty much the same ground.

A major section of "Sailor's Multihull Guide" is taken up with description of a large number of new and expensive sailboats. For my needs this is pointless.

I find "The Cruising Multihull" to be the more useful of the two books.

More Than A Reference Book.......2003-05-20

"Sailor's Multihull Guide is rather more than simply a reference book or index - it will guide the prospective
buyer or new sailor through every step on the way to reaching their dreams, even throwing in a few chapters on basic sailing and handling techniques." SAILING/SA
Yachting magazine South Africa

Average customer rating:

The cruising lifestyle at its finest and simplest

Cruising Is Contagious
Corinne C.
Manufacturer: SAILco Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 096184065X

Customer Reviews:

The cruising lifestyle at its finest and simplest.......2000-11-07

Cruising is Contagious is a collection of essays, anecdotes, humorous vignettes and just plain good sailing sense that will inspire all, from the full time live aboard (and those aspiring to be) to the day sailor. The selection varies from straightforward tips on weathering a hurricane, in a first hand narration entitled, "How We Survived Hurricane Erin," to an insightful and informative travelogue on the Kanters' cruise to Cuba. All throughout the book are humorous stories of lessons learned from experiences such as having pets and plants on board, and more sober reflections on safety and prudence while sailing. It's a great book designed to get you into the spirit of cruising. I enjoyed reading about the cultural differences found in our neighboring Carribean countries, like Bahamas and Cuba. I also found useful Corinne's writings on the full time live aboard lifestyle, and her ideas on how to finance the cruising life. Even more valuable to me are Chuck and Corinne's common sense approach to sailing and safety, demonstrated in almost every story. Multihull sailors will also find useful Chuck's ideas on catamaran sailing, which includes good ideas on setting anchors. Chuck and Corinne's chatty conversational writing style further adds to the personality of this book, which reads as if you're just having coffee with them in the cockpit of their catamaran, La Forza.

Sailor's Multihull Guide: To the World of Cruising Catamarans & Trimarans (Avalon House Travel)

Average customer rating:

The book for exploring cruising Catamarans
The Multihull Bible

Sailor's Multihull Guide: To the World of Cruising Catamarans & Trimarans (Avalon House Travel)
Kevin Jeffrey , and Charles E. Kanter
Manufacturer: Avalon House Pub.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Sports | Subjects | Books

Look Inside Outdoors & Nature Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books

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The Cruising Multihull
Sailor's Multihull Guide to the Best Cruising Catamarans & Trimarans
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Sailing Promise: Around the World on a Catamaran
Cruising in Catamarans

ASIN: 0962756253

Customer Reviews:

The book for exploring cruising Catamarans.......2002-06-18

This is the definitive book on exploring the miriad of cruising catamarans of all sizes in 1 book. This reference book lists most technical details and a short review for each cat with pictures for some popular models and diagrams for the rest. I have been reading this book for years and anxiously await the new revision due out soon...

The Multihull Bible.......1999-03-30

Frankly, this is the only book that covers all the currently available (as of publication date) cruising multihulls. Including production boats, semi-custom and stock designs. If you think you might be interested in a multihull for your next boat this is THE book to start with period. I found this book invaluable in sorting through the bewildering array of multihull boats and builders out there. Whenever a broker or ad had a Super Duper XYZ I was able to look in this book and figure out what it was or make a pretty good guess based on the current XYZ version. Would I buy again? Absolutely!

Average customer rating:

Multihulls for Cruising and Racing
Derek Harvey
Manufacturer: International Marine Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Sports | Subjects | Books
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The Elements of Boat Strength: For Builders, Designers, and Owners

ASIN: 0877422931

A 30', $6,000 Cruising Catamaran : Built, Sailed and Written About

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A 30', $6,000 Cruising Catamaran : Built, Sailed and Written About
Roy F. Chandler
Manufacturer: Self
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000KF2DWS

Average customer rating:

Catamarans For Cruising
Jim Andrews
Manufacturer: The Bodley Head Ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OW3NP8

Average customer rating:

Catamarans for Cruising
Jim Andrews
Manufacturer: The Bodley Head Ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0370102940

Cruising Catamaran Advantage: For Every Sailor Who Wants More Comfort More Space and More Speed

Average customer rating:

Thanks Rod...
Discussion of Cruising Catamaran superiority by enthusiast

Cruising Catamaran Advantage: For Every Sailor Who Wants More Comfort More Space and More Speed
Rod Gibbons , and Derek Bronte
Manufacturer: Island Educational Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Sports | Subjects | Books
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The Cruising Multihull

ASIN: 0929458117

Customer Reviews:

Thanks Rod..........2000-09-10

The Cruising Catamaran Advantage is a must read for anyone, first interested in sailing or a seasoned captain. This book is a objective look into the pros AND cons to a "Cat" and also touches on building and construction. I would like to see a modern revision, but for the times (1988) this book IS hi-tech and fun to read.

Discussion of Cruising Catamaran superiority by enthusiast.......1997-11-01

This is a well written, enthusiastic book by an experienced sailor. Rod Gibbons believes fervently in the superiority of the Catamaran design versus a ballasted monohull, and he proves his case with humour and passion. Expect to obtain a comprehensive overview about the Catamaran design, ranging from prehistory to current construction techniques. This is a book you will read again and again.

Average customer rating:

Best New Catamaran Review
The best tool to understand multihulls!

Cruising Catamaran Communique

Manufacturer: SAILco Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Perfect Paperback
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Catamarans
The Cruising Multihull
Catamarans, Every Sailor's Guide
Sailor's Multihull Guide to the Best Cruising Catamarans & Trimarans
Do Dolphins Ever Sleep?: 211 Questions and Answers About Ships, the Sky and the Sea

ASIN: 0961840684

Product Description

The latest and most comprehensive critique of the sailing catamaran industry by a thirty-five year marine surveyor with portfolio. This is a how to book; compare, select and sail catamarans for cruising. Photos, diagrams, and illustrations. Extensive glossary and bibliography. Has considerable information not available elsewhere.

Customer Reviews:

Best New Catamaran Review.......2007-08-11

This book is ideal for the experienced sailor as well as the wanabee. Author has a great personal style that never interferes with communicating the topic. Strong overview and comparison of what's out there, and what it can mean for you. Lots of nitty gritty details. If there was one book I would put in the hands of the potential boat owner, it would be this one!

The best tool to understand multihulls!.......2007-06-27

After attending a lecture about cruising multihulls given by the author at the the 2007 Oakland Boat Show, I ordered Charles Kanter's book. Finally a book that goes beyond the selling hype and brochures and goes deep into all the design elements that are involved into the production of a good (or not so good) cruising catamaran! I was ever so impressed by the wealth of knowledge shared in this book and the clear presentation. I am grateful to have had my hand on this book in good time, that is, before buying a boat! Finally, as a fellow marine surveyor, I have to appreciate the wealth of information on the subject of cruising multihulls, not found elsewhere.

Amazon.com

"When it comes to pronunciation," says Charles Harrington Elster, "there are two types of people: Those who don't give the subject a second thought and those who do. This book is for those who do." Those who don't will likely dismiss it as a conglomeration of minutiae (mi-N[Y]oo-shee-ee). Elster's Big Book of Beastly Mispronunciations combines and expands upon his two previous books on the subject, offering historical pronunciations, authoritative opinions (his own and others'), and meandering explanations. This book is more entertaining than a game of badminton (don't say, "BAD-mitten," which Elster considers sloppy) and more lasting than a daiquiri (that's "DY-kuh-ree"). And best of all, you'll tighten up that flaccid ("FLAK-sid") pronunciation. Kudos ("KOO-dahs") to Elster for setting us straight. For now, anyway--there's a neologism ("nee-AHL-uh-jiz'm") born every day. --Jane Steinberg

Book Description

From the language maven whom William Sare calls "ek-STROR- di-ner-ee" comes an authoritative and unapologetically opinionated look at American speech. As Charles Harrington Elster points out, there is no sewer in connoisseur, no dip in diphthong, no spear in experiment, and, as not quite everyone knows, no pronoun in pronunciation. A culmination of more than fteen years of observation and study, The Big Book of Beastly Mispronunciations is more than just a pronunciation guide. Elster discusses past and present usage, alternatives, analogies, and tendencies and offers plenty of advice, none of it objective. "A great treasure of authoritative advice, dashing opinion, and cunning wit" (Boston Globe), this second edition of The Big Book of Beastly Mispronunciations has now been expanded and revised and features 100 new words, including al-Qaeda commensurate curriculum vita(e) exacerbate gigabyte machismo Pulitzer W (as in www-dot) and much, much more.

Customer Reviews:

Can you pronounce pronunciation?.......2006-03-09

It's not pro-NOUN-see-AY-shin. It's pruh-NUHN-see-AY-shin. Open this book at random and learn something. Deluge is "DEL-yooj (like dell plus huge without the h)." Demur is di-MUR, not di-MYOOR. "Pronounce mur as in murder, not as in mural." Once it's in your reference library you'll wonder how you ever got along without it.

Definitely worth reading.......2006-03-08

I realize language changes over time, and eventually new ways of pronouncing words are adopted. However, there are still a lot of words that seem to confuse people. I have even seen people argue over it.
This book has "proper" pronunciations of English words. While I wouldn't go as far as he does pronouncing words adopted from other languages, I definitely get irritated when people don't use their "native" language properly.

Incredible!.......2005-02-01

The name of this book is what caught my eye, but, as soon as I opened it, I realized how great it is. I learned of quite a few mistakes I make, and often WHY. The author's somewhat ranting tone makes an otherwise dense and boring subject a bit more approachable. I highly recommend this book.

-1star (reference value) + 2 stars (entertainment value).......2001-09-23

[...]. the author's rules are, indeed, entirely arbitrary.
simply performing a mental utterance of many of his "proper" pronunciations affected me as strongly as a fingernail on a blackboard.
i take particular exception to his endorsement of the mutilation of the many japanese words that have found their way into our vocabulary.
for the most part, our alphabet is capable of approximating japanese words. as in spanish borrowed words, where one shouldn't be expected to trill the "r", (i loved the reference to the saturday night live sketch with jimmy smits!) the pronunciation can be anglicized, but i don't understand his endorsement -- and sometimes origination -- of whimsically swapping out entire syllables.
i can guess what he considers to be the correct pronunciations of "tokyo" and "kyoto". but i assure you, each of these words have TWO syllables -- not THREE, not FIVE.
additionally, (and i may be in a minority here) i'm bothered by his overweening love of the schwa, with which he replaces almost every instance of a short vowel in an unstressed syllable, thus endorsing an inarticulate mush-mouthed uh-mur-uh-cun-uh-zay-shun of the language and his erratic syllable division greatly reduces the already shrinking list of words which have etymologically sound pronunciations.

Passionate and Wonderful!.......2001-08-20

Elster could be a blow-hard. He could be a nauseating pedant. Instead, he's the charmingly gnomish author of this magnificently entertaining book. Like many of us, he had a mother who would pin his ears to the wall if he dared confuse who with whom. And this guy's mom knew that "flaccid" is pronounced "Flak-sid", did you? Or how's this: try ordering a "daiquiri" (Dy-kuh-ree). Good luck; but of course you'll be correct. This very BIG book of "beastly" mispronunciations is gleefully entertaining. You won't just get the correct pronunciations, but concise reasoning on why a word crept into the language, why it should be tossed out, who corrupted it, and why we tend to garble nuclear (N(Y)oo-kle-ur), while clinging to the "psuedo-French"- ified envelope (AHN-vul-lohp). This could be nothing more than a pesky book, but Elster is so passionate about the Language, and so wildly fun that it's just great reading-- if not terminally humbling. Three distinct groups deserve this gift: Post-modernists who will turn away in horror (then read it on the sly), people who speak English, and those who find in words the delicate beauty of a very good opera-- when sung correctly.

The Big Book of Beastly Mispronunciations : The Complete Opinionated Guide for the Careful Speaker

Average customer rating:

The Big Book of Beastly Mispronunciations : The Complete Opinionated Guide for the Careful Speaker
Charles Harrington Elster
Manufacturer: NY
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000MU83T8

Book Description

Thirteen-year-old Kiyoi, an apprentice to the famous cartoonist, Noro Shinpei, tries to develop his talent and become self-reliant, in this novel based upon the author's own boyhood in Japan.

Customer Reviews:

A powerful book - but be prepared.......2003-03-16

At first when I saw that someone had given this book two stars, I was amazed ... then I read the whole review and saw the person gave very appropriate reasons. This book is excellent reading for a wide variety of people; the author had a highly unusual childhood, essentially becoming unofficially "emancipated" from his parents and living on his own from early adolescence. We learn a great deal about the thoughts and experiences of a talented author and writer who saw into a number of unfamiliar and intriguing worlds.

At the same time, I know what the reviewer means when she says there are a number of places in the story where events are scary or off-putting to many readers. The author isn't trying to write a shocker or a gross-out book, but he tries hard to be honest about his youthful life, and along with the delightful experiences he had in developing his artistic talents, there were some disturbing events that left him confused and hurt at the time. People who know his wonderful children's picture books might not be prepared for this one, in which not everything is "sweetness and light." So the lone "two-star" reviewer has done an important favor in cautioning you what to expect.

Nonetheless, young people looking for books that reflect some of the hard realities of life -- or who at least can read about them without being too discouraged -- can gain a lot from reading this powerfully account of the good and the bad in the life of a very unusual boy who grew into a very unusual man.

The Best Simply Put.......2000-04-12

This is the best because the japanese culture is a whole new unexplored area for us 'Americans', we hardly know anything about anything in countries like Japan or China and this book displays almost the whole life of an average kid in Japan. I myself know because I used to live there. I studied there for years and I had hobbies like reading their great manga and watching their anime and this story relates to a kid like me. I love this so please if you want a great reading experiance get this and if you do read it, really read it it is truly great.

Not a high ranked book on my shelf!.......1997-03-25

The beginning of this book is a nice, calm, peaceful story about a boy interested in cartooning. But then the story changes and is suddenly about a boy growing up, and going through adolescence. I thought some chapters were very gross, and other chapters were just really scary and frightful. I am reading this book when I am eleven, and I think that it is too old for me to read. It is about 13-15 year olds, and the problems and things people of that age group face scare me, or don't interest me. I don't really no whether to suggest or not to suggest this book, but I can say you should be older than 13 to read it, and you should be ready for a big change in plot in the middle of the book.-Katharine Manning, American School In Japan, 6th grade.

A great book to read!!.......1997-01-30

This book is the kind of 'pick it up and can't put it down' book. The book just made me keep reading and reading, and I couldn't stop. The topic it talked about was unique, a topic that I haven't ever read about before. Mr. Say seems to be able to capture a person in what he writes. The way he tells it makes what's happening in the book so real. I wish that I was Kiyoi, because one of the things that I always wished to be able to do was draw. The charactor that I liked the best was Kiyoi, partially because he was the main charactor and partially because he led such an interesting life. He seemed to be a friend that I would like to have. I recommend this book to most people, young and old. -Dustin Li, 6th grade, American School In Japan.

Wow!!! What a great book!!.......1997-01-30

I liked this book a lot because the author described the story very vividly. Once I started reading it, I couldn't stop. Also, I liked the story of the book, too. It was a topic I have never read about. I wish I was the boy who became the pupil of the famous cartoonist because I could become a little famous and I could draw and paint well. The character I liked best was Kiyoi because he was brave, nice, and when he got advice, he would learn from it quickly. He liked painting with charcoal, watercolors, and pastels. He always obeyed his Sensei and he never caused any trouble. I would recommend this book to kids all ages. -Steven Yum, 6th grade, American School In Japan

Average customer rating:

The Ink-Keeper's Apprentice
Allen Say
Manufacturer: HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000O5RN6A

Average customer rating:

Ink-Keeper's Apprentice
Allen Say
Manufacturer: see notes for publisher info
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000NOZDG4

Average customer rating:

The Ink-Keeper's Apprentice

Manufacturer: Harper and Row
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000I85A22

Average customer rating:

The Ink-Keeper's Apprentice

Manufacturer: Harper and Row
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000I83G14

Average customer rating:

The Ink-Keeper's Apprentice

Manufacturer: Harper and Row
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000I85GGM

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