The Boy Behind the Gate

How His Dream of Sailing Around the World Became a Six-Year Odyssey of Adventure, Fear, Discovery and Love

By: Larry Jacobson

Narrated by: Larry Jacobson

Length: 11 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's summary

Larry had dreamed of sailing around the world ever since he first stepped foot into a sailboat at the age of 13. He held onto that dream for 30 years, until one day he realized that "it's now or never". He left his corporate job, trading his comfortable executive life for adventure.

Award-winning author Larry Jacobson brings you aboard JULIA as he embarks on a six year odyssey at sea after leaving everything behind to make his lifelong dream a reality. He and his crew dodged pirates in the Gulf of Aden, battled 30-foot seas and 60-knot winds in the Red Sea, were chased by Komodo dragons in Indonesia, had multiple equipment breakdowns, nearly lost their mast in the Coral Sea, and pushed the envelope with Larry nearly losing his life scuba diving.

A true story memoir packed with lessons from the ocean that served as a teacher of seamanship, personal strength, growth, leadership, and perseverance, while Larry and his crew discovered themselves, and the world. You'll sail 44,000 nautical miles and live the ups and downs of this incredible adventure.

This is not just the story of fulfilling a lifelong passion. It is also a story of absorbing wisdom from the sea, and from the people they met along the way. And it's a deep dive into Larry's thinking as you experience the changes that took place in him, recounted in his very personal journals. Step aboard and share the life lessons earned on the voyage as you sail around the world from the comfort of your home.

This audiobook is life-changing. If you are wondering whether you should start living your dreams, this audiobook will confirm you should. We are each given one great opportunity in life. What are you going to do with yours?

©2011 Larry Jacobson (P)2012 Larry Jacobson

The courage to live out a lifelong dream

What made the experience of listening to The Boy Behind the Gate: How His Dream of Sailing Around the World Became a Six-Year Odyssey of Adventure, Fear, Discovery and Love the most enjoyable?

Hearing this true story of adventure romance and courage in the authors voice is a wonderful experience. Having already read and thouroughly enjoyed the book on paper it is such a treat to now listen to the audio version.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Ken. In the course of the book we witness Kens transition from a somewhat skeptical participant to a full adventure partner in every sense.

Which scene was your favorite?

I am torn between the choice of the encounter with the Komodo Dragons or the one with Israeli intelligence. You be the judge!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

What a treat that would be.

Any additional comments?

You will love this audiobook!

Well done, Larry...hip-hip-Hurrray

Thanks for taking me along with you around the world! I just sat down and listened to your whole tale. Additionally you did a first rate narration.
I'm from San Francisco and loved sailing from Sausalito, around Angel Island...all over but I never went under the Golden Gate. You took me there.
In the'60's I shipped out as a a deck hand on a Norwegian freighter :Tahiti, Pango, Fifji, Raubaul, Numia etc, but I was a deckhand: you were a Skipper!
I doff my cap to you. Your story was fantastic what an adventure. What was your next fulfillment? You are a gifted writer and narrater. Looking for your next book. Congratulations!

Inspiring

The story was an inspiration that you can make your dreams come true in the face of challenges, frustration, fear and determination. Although it's a sailor's story, it has life lessons about setting goals and not getting discouraged by unexpected obstacles.

Education of a Journey

What did you love best about The Boy Behind the Gate: How His Dream of Sailing Around the World Became a Six-Year Odyssey of Adventure, Fear, Discovery and Love?

The story and how one learns to deal with and adjust with the adversities and challenges of life

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Boy Behind the Gate: How His Dream of Sailing Around the World Became a Six-Year Odyssey of Adventure, Fear, Discovery and Love?

The experience in Thailand leading to their fortuitous escape from the devastating tsunami

What does Larry Jacobson bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

How there is a lesson with every experience

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

yes

Any additional comments?

I have listened to Mr Jacobson in a lecture once and found his experiences to want me to set "sail" in my life but then made me realize that I have been at sea, in a boat, but do not have my sail up or going in any direction all the while.

Loved This Book!

A great tale of one man's journey. Gave a much more personal touch in that the author was also the reader. Very enjoyable from cover to cover!

You don't have to be a sailor.

I really loved this book! As an amateur sailor myself I felt at times I was right there on the boat with Larry and Ken! By the time They completed their journey I was laughing and crying with them! You don't have to be a sailor to enjoy the adventure. I sailed along as a "silent" crew member during my daily commute. I rode out the storms and enjoyed each and every anchorage. Thank you Larry and Ken for allowing me to sail along with you.

Adventures on a Floating Bar

What did you love best about The Boy Behind the Gate: How His Dream of Sailing Around the World Became a Six-Year Odyssey of Adventure, Fear, Discovery and Love?

When the story revolved around ports of call and actual sailing stories it was very good. The descriptions of the south pacific were very good, and I listened to the section about the passage from the south China sea through the Suez Canal twice because I was interested in Mr. Jacobsen's experience in this area that most cruisers skip. After listening to his description, I'll definitely go the southern route!

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

A little less emphasis on the partying lifestyle, It is not my plan to drink myself around the world.

What about Larry Jacobson’s performance did you like?

His voice is clear and engaging.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

How to Sail around the World Buzzed.

Any additional comments?

My husband and I are in the beginning stages of our plan to circumnavigate. I'm obsessed with sailing stories. This one was a worthwhile read. No story of circumnavigation, for obviously good reasons, can cover every detail of the trip. And Mr. Jacobsen's story seems to be heavy on the "personal growth and life is about happiness" emphasis, which is valid. But I prefer stories that focus on the technical details, the planning, and the sailing and the destinations. My plan is to avoid the disco and booze stops. That seemed to be opposite of his experience.

AWESOME! It really takes you to the cruising life

If you could sum up The Boy Behind the Gate: How His Dream of Sailing Around the World Became a Six-Year Odyssey of Adventure, Fear, Discovery and Love in three words, what would they be?

Great story and incredible accomplishment. I found the book to be extremely entertaining, and it really gets you to feel like you are really there, on the highs and lows, and there are plenty of both on this story!

What did you like best about this story?

I think the book does show you how the cruising lifestyle is, things break, things fail but you are doing what you love and at the end of the day that is what this book is about. Pursue your dream, do what you love, more of what makes you happy, there is time for everything.

What about Larry Jacobson’s performance did you like?

The Author is the narrator. Great performance, great narration.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

There were many parts that moved me, a kid got hurt and how his dad was there with him, how the author sometimes felt lonely, the overall living on a monohull for 6 years etc... too many to tell

Any additional comments?

The book applies quite a bit to me as my wife and I will be embarking on a similar journey. Thanks Larry, I will carry extra parts that is for sure!

Excellent listen

This is one of my very favorite audio books. It was a wonderful escape every time I listened in. Well composed and delivered. I almost feel like I experienced the journey. A fantastic adventure circumnavigating the world. Highly recommend it.

Another cruising book, with a twist

If you don't like gay love stories and frequent references to men sleeping together you won't like this book. Personally I have no strong feelings on the subject so I pushed past my initial surprise at this aspect of the book, and I'm glad I did, because it is a very well crafted tale of adventure, challenge and human experience. I found the author to be likable, if a little too emotional at times, and by the end of the story found myself admiring him for his courage, resolve and humanity. Homophobes will hate this book. Open minded humanists will enjoy it for what it is, a good story well told.