• 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
  • 3.9 out of 5 stars (196 ratings)

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The Boy Behind the Gate  By  cover art

The Boy Behind the Gate

By: Larry Jacobson
Narrated by: Larry Jacobson
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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

What listeners say about The Boy Behind the Gate

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

An amazing adventure

I haven't been a lifelong sailor like Mr. Jacobson, but at the age of 30 I learned to sail and have been hooked for over 50 years. In our 37 foot sloop my wife and I have cruised extensively in New England with several voyages northeast to the Canadian Maritimes, south to Florida and east to Bermuda. Like Mr. Jacobson I dreamed of making the ultimate sail, the circumnavigation. I pored over the charts. I read about the voyage. I explored the practicalities involved. Unlike Mr. Jacobson I did not pull the trigger.

In "The Boy Behind the Gate" Mr. Jacobson details the enormity of finding the right craft, preparing it for years in the open ocean, and setting sail. Crossing the Pacific, lolling in Oceania, Southeast Asia, Suez, Israel, the Med, the Atlantic crossing, the Canal, and home. The details of the six years of adventure, danger, love, of the highs and lows, of the near catastrophes kept me reading (or listening since I did both), enthralled page after page. I most enjoyed the description of the details of the sail, the weather, the navigation, the recoveries from the many near disasters. What an adventure!

The wonder of this book is that it cured my itch to circumnavigate! Or, more accurately to circumnavigate again since in a very real way I did it with you, Larry. Thank you.

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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.

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A Remarkable Experience!

With Larry’s excellent writing and narration I feel like I was on the journey! The highs and the lows, the scary and the serene.

I can imagine in my minds eye the 30’ waves, the dolphin pods, the crystal clear water and the endless breakdowns and repairs.

I am on one hand inspired to sail around the world myself, but terrified at the thought (and expense) on the other - all at the same time.

I highly recommend reading (or listening) to this book and living vicariously through Larry’s adventures!

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Sail around the world with your life coach!

There’s that feeling of freedom you get, being on the open road, but did you ever consider the feeling of the open sea? As a sailor’s daughter, I had my chance, and so can you, by going on a journey around the world with Captain Larry and his crew. You might be surprised where it takes you.

You don’t need to be a sailor to appreciate this tale. When you think about the biggest dream you’ve ever had in your life, and what it took to achieve it, or if you’re wondering whether or not you have the courage to go for it, this book is for you. Larry will be your guide all along the way, cheering you on, and giving you pointers.

I have the good fortune to know Larry professionally, and his book was on my list. Thankfully, I just found out that it’s on Audible, read by Larry himself! I have to say, it’s a very enjoyable read when you listen to it. Much of the story is told in “Captain’s Log” style, as he kept a journal on the entire 6 year journey. YES, it took 6 years, amazing, right? I guess going in I thought it was going to be more about the sights and the navigation and filled with sailing lingo, but it was so much more. Sometimes it’s very matter of fact, and, at other times, filled with emotion. That balance was just right, too. I was incredibly curious and often astounded by the mechanical breakdowns, and how to buy food and get through customs and properly bribe officials! I enjoyed the vivid descriptions of both pristine beaches and roiling three story high seas. My heart was often racing right along!

The emotional center of the book was about relationships, something I never considered, as I always pictured Larry making this journey by himself, and how lonely that might be. Turns out, he needed all kinds of help and had lots of different crew along the way. Many friendships were forged through good times and bad. There were wonderful celebrations, some tough arguments, and a few very hairy situations. Larry was going through a very personal journey along the way, too, letting go of an old love, navigating a new love. Most importantly, Larry was on a deepening his relationship with self, and he often passed along his lessons learned directly to the reader, just like he’s your personal life coach.

If you enjoy motivational speakers, if you read books about personal development, this is great choice. I would liken it to books by the great Andy Andrews, who uses story and parable to make his point to the reader. Larry, like Andy Andrews, is a gifted motivational speaker and author. Larry, also like Andy, knows how to sprinkle in humor effectively, and it is most welcome when things are going wrong, showcasing his resilient spirit. Storytelling is the most effective way to impact the reader, so I would choose this over a dry “how to” leadership book any day of the week.

The Boy Behind The Gate is a story we can all relate to. Perhaps you have a big bold, audacious wish that you’ve held inside for years, decades. But, maybe, just maybe, this true story will remind you that it still is possible to fulfill your dreams, or that it’s not too late to come up with a new dream. It may not be easy, and it might take longer than you thought, and, most certainly, you won’t have to go it alone.

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A different approach.

instead of go small, go simple. This adventuresome couple went large and complicated. This is a great adventure story about self-discovery and growth. Seeing exciting new places and completing a personal goal. on the other hand it's also a story about learning how to be a mechanic in exciting new places. I greatly enjoyed this book.

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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.

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Great Story!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

This book will inspire you to follow your dreams. It's a very open and relatable story! I have listened to this book multiple times and I will continue to love it each time

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This is my favorite sailing adventure book!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes I would recommend this to a friend because it is a very enjoyable listen that transports you into the adventure.

What other book might you compare The Boy Behind the Gate: How His Dream of Sailing Around the World Became a Six-Year Odyssey of Adventure, Fear, Discovery and Love to and why?

I listen to a lot of sailing audiobooks but can't compare this one to any of the others, it stands alone as both a sailing narrative and a honest human story.

Which scene was your favorite?

Tough to pick out a scene but if I had to I would say the decision to fly out for Christmas and by chance miss the tsunami. Very heavy stuff. The way Larry describes it all and the compassion for these people and this disaster is an inspiring human story.

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

Would have loved to but don't have that opportunity

Any additional comments?

I listen to audiobooks when I go out and run and I enjoyed this one enough that I have listened to it exclusively for a few months probably 3-4 times in it's entirety. Very enjoyable. I would love to go to hear him speak.

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  • D
  • 01-15-16

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!

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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!

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