Autobiography, personal philosophy, adventure and advice – John Kretschmer’s new book criss-crosses the oceans of the world and different periods of the author’s sailing life. There are many action-packed episodes, often terrifying, but this is also a literary book where wide reading supports the central message. ‘A small boat under press of sail, surrounded by the steel blue sea with a good crew poised to take whatever comes their way is the perfect environment to unleash eudaemonia.’ For Kretschmer Aristotle’s concept of well-being entails frequent periods of strenuous effort and thousands of miles under the keel, as well as regular meaning-of-life discussions during ‘Captain’s Hour’. People pay to sail with him: the majority form deep friendships and return.
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