• 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

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4 out of 5 stars
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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Homosexuality

If listening about homosexuality is not your cup of tea, then I’d advise against this book.

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

Gay lust story in first chapter

Probably was a good story, but i can't listen to a gay lovers adventure. After listening to the sample of this book, I figured it would be a good read. I had no idea the guy was gay, nor would share his gay lifestyle. I stopped about halfway through the first chapter. Unfortunately, I am returning yet again another book.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

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.

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

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.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

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.

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Too many personal details!

What disappointed you 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?

Way too many details about his love life and not enough about sailing around the world!

Would you ever listen to anything by Larry Jacobson again?

Sure... he was best part of the listen!

Have you listened to any of Larry Jacobson’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Good

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

It had some good details about sailing

Any additional comments?

Author is a gay male. I am not a homaphobe but I bought the book to hear stories of sailing not stories of his love and lost male companions while at sea!

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

Terrible

Would you try another book from Larry Jacobson and/or Larry Jacobson?

No

What didn’t you like about Larry Jacobson’s performance?

This turned out not to be the inspiring sailing adventure I thought it would be.

Instead of adventure, inspiration & insight we have endless tales about personal relationships, things breaking on the boat & getting weather predictions wrong.

And for the life of me I cannot understand why the author chose to do the reading himself.

Any additional comments?

This is the first Audible book I literally could not bring myself to finish.

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

Meh...not life changing

What disappointed you 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?

Did not at all live up to the hype of ratings given.

What could Larry Jacobson have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Had someone else read it.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Larry Jacobson?

Anyone.

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