Sailing to the Edge of Time

The Promise, the Challenges, and the Freedom of Ocean Voyaging

By: John Kretschmer

Narrated by: Matthew Kevin Anderson

Length: 9 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's summary

John Kretschmer is sailing’s practical philosopher – as much a doer as a thinker. And that is the overarching theme of this chronicle of a sailing life. Often amusing, sometimes poignant, occasionally terrifying but always inspiring, his deeply personal account is a welcome reminder of the good life waiting at sea.

With hundreds of thousands of nautical miles under his keel, John’s adventures have taken him several times around the world, with challenging crossings of the Atlantic and the Pacific, a narrow escape from a coup in Yemen, an unlikely deliverance from a coral reef off Belize as well as more serene, introspective passages where trade winds are blowing and stories are flowing. His crew has included CEOs, actors, writers, teachers, kids – in essence, everyone.

John’s narrative is interwoven with practical tips and advice in seamanship, but also, and just as importantly, his hard-won insights about making the most of our lives. He truly believes we find out who we really are, and what we are capable of, far from the shackles of land, when we find a place where time changes shape – days may merge into one another, but minutes are memorable.

To live adventurously is to live more fully, and that is the life John Kretschmer continues to live. In this book he shares his simple profundities that will inspire those who live to sail, and those seeking something more rewarding from life.

©2018 John Kretschmer (P)2020 Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

Critic reviews

"A remarkable and very enjoyable cocktail of blue water, action and wisdom. Kretschmer is a fine writer and an inspiration." (Tristan Gooley)

another great novel by John

a nice collection of short stories and experiences for all sailors to enjoy. If you're looking for a book this is a good one.

Excellent writing, fantastic sea stories

John Kretschmer has the unique ability to take you along on his many ocean voyages with every word. I wish the narrator had taken the time to find out how to pronounce words he was unfamiliar with. He had several versions of “Quetzal” and she’s one of the most important characters in the book. Despite this, the beautifully written stories came through.

great book, mediocre reader

the book is amazing. However the reader ignores proper pronunciation on easily searched terms. If you sail, it's worth wincing at the bad words and moving forward.

Great book in spite of the narration

Get this book… Anyone who has read John Kretschmer knows this man can spin a beautiful and vivid sea story. Sailing to the edge of time follows suit. The chapters are wonderfully threaded with Historical, philosophical and heartfelt recounting of his many times at sea, as well as technical information that sailors will relish.

Mr Kretschmer brings to life his passengers, students, friends and family that accompany him on his long blue water passages.

The narrator was less than colorful. His monotone, and at times dull voice took a while to get used to, but the book’s content won me over in spite of sub-par narration.

Interesting and Educational

Really nice story with a tremendous amount of information for anyone thinking about sailing the oceans. it's highly recommended.

The narration was a intolerable at first, but bumping up the playback to 1.6x really made it work for me.

Great book, poorly narrated.

This is a great book but the narration is annoying. The narrator is clearly reading and knows nothing about sailing. the mispronounciatikn will grind on you like sand in your socks. "Sailing a serious ocean" is a much better audio book.

Good book, narration not great.

As always Kretschmer's book was very good. However, I did not enjoy the narration. It's tough to listen to a young sounding narrator when listening to a book filled with wisdom. It does not help that there are a good number of mispronunciations. All and all worth a listen.

Quetzal doesn’t rhyme with pretzel

I love Kretschmer, but I couldn’t make it more than 20 minutes with the narrator. Basic words are mispronounced and the tone is too serious and dramatic. Who the heck is Moe-tessiyay?

I enjoyed it

I found the occasional unusual pronunciation of common nautical terms and places jarring, but I'm being nit-picking.

Well written

Informative, thought provoking, and makes me quite envious of the time the author has been able to spend doing what they love