In 1974 I wrote a review ( HYPERLINK "062-05.doc" 062-05) for this Bulletin of the earlier version of this book. It has now been completely rewritten. I criticized the first book for its omissions rather than for its content. On re-reading it now, I am full of praise for the general outlook on dinghy cruising and on sailing as a whole: simplicity, innovation, adventure in small boats. The same is true of this new book. As a member of the DCA, John Glasspool propounds the dictum, which he correctly attributes to Eric Coleman, that dinghy cruising is a way of life preferable to that of more sophisticated sailing, in which "gear and accessories start to crowd in between people and simple sailing".

This book has a wealth of good ideas, many of them culled from the pages of these Bulletins and a beginner could read himself into the frame of mind which will set him well on the way to thinking and learning as a dinghy cruiser. One point which gains my obvious approval is that "all owners should have some experience of single-handed sailing" and as a Tideway sailor, John Glasspool has certainly qualified to give many tips to the single-hander. I wonder, though, why he thinks that it would be too much to ask that all essential lines should be within easy reach from the helmsman's position? There is much good advice about how to be comfortable in even the smallest dinghy.

One of my criticisms of the earlier book was that if left open the question of sleeping aboard or ashore. Now no doubt is left and the inconveniences of camping ashore are graphically described. Another improvement is that more is said about the absolute necessity of working the tides. My own preference, though, is for a less discursive book and for this reason I prefer the first version. The useful ideas about anchors, for example, are suddenly followed by several paragraphs about clothing. Useful tips seem to be thrown out almost at random. A more methodical "primer" would appeal to me more. However, the many narrative passages about other peoples (and his own) experiences certainly do give the right atmosphere and many of the more practical details are supplied in the very good diagrammatic drawings and photographs, with lengthy captions to explain them.

I have some quibbles, of course. Why not come down firmly on the side of a span on the yard of the gunter lug, so that rapid reefing, the importance of which be fully recognised, is effected simply by releasing the throat halyard? Why no mention of the use of twin topping lifts to control the long yard? And why no insistence on a roller furling jib? Many types of dinghy are shown and the point is well made that many apparently unsuitable boats have been cruised successfully, but I would have liked more factual assessment of the characteristics of each.

This book is a good read, though and I doubt if any of us will fail to find new ideas in its pages.