The Next Distant Sea

The 28-Foot Sailboat Atom Continues Her Second Circumnavigation

By: James Baldwin

Narrated by: James Baldwin

Length: 13 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

Narrated in his own voice, in this third book about his travels aboard the 28-foot sailboat Atom, James Baldwin creates an ode to the sea and to those who venture upon her in small voyaging sailboats.

The Next Distant Sea continues the memoir of his second adventurous circumnavigation as begun in his earlier book Bound for Distant Seas. Known for books and magazine articles about his earlier solo voyages, the author here describes the struggles and rewards of navigating distant seas, the joys and challenges of interacting with foreign cultures, as well as the love and loss of an intoxicating island girl.

Beginning in Hong Kong, The Next Distant Sea takes listeners to diverse destinations, through the lesser-traveled islands of the Philippines and Indonesia, to far-flung island outposts in the Indian Ocean, including a lengthy exploration of mysterious Madagascar, then on to newly postapartheid South Africa. Along the way Baldwin’s personal journey is interwoven with tales of the extraordinary and often outlandish characters he befriended, from a man who crossed the Pacific alone in a dugout canoe, to a vagabond trader who traveled to the poorest ports of east Africa in an engineless steel junk, to a young sailor who tragically lost his life. By melding their stories and his own, Baldwin provides valuable insight into the individualist, minimalist, and libertarian mind-set of the voyaging vagabond. The Next Distant Sea is essential listening for all who would go to sea in small boats.

©2017 James Baldwin (P)2018 James Baldwin

Can't wait for book #3 in the trilogy!

Hearing this narrated in the author's own voice was a real treat! I really can't wait until the third book comes out.

Fascinating True Adventure Narrated by the Author

If you are familiar with James' other books, "Across Islands and Oceans" and "Bound for Distant Seas", this continuation of the tale of his voyaging is a great treat because you hear the tale directly from the man who lived it. Voice actors give a story polish and dramatic effect, but it's so much more inspiring to listen to a story of adventure and daring told by someone who sounds like a regular guy. We realize that it could be even be us who could face great challenges and prevail. The vignettes of the characters James encountered in his travels are as entertaing as the tals of his own voyaging.

Move Over Slocum!

every bit the masterpiece that ranks up there with Slocum, Dumas and Moitissiere. excellent narration!

Amazing book

Its a great story and this book talks about other sailors too. So its a amazing read. And its even better that its read by the author.

amazing book

amazing and different
sometimes it is interesting to hear views you might disagree with

an honest and interesting tale

James Baldwin has led an interesting life, and his stories are honest feeling and memorable. while his narration is perhaps a bit drab, it is nonetheless enjoyable to hear the author relate his own stories. On YouTube, you can find videos to cp along with this 90s tale of cruising from Asia to south Africa, with many colorful stops along the way.

Best book yet?

I’ve been enjoying these books, so much so that I’ve listened to the first two bikes twice but this is my first listening to the third book and I REALLY enjoyed it. I loved how stories of other interesting sailors were mixed in and it’s interesting to see how South Africa has changed having just been there for the first time in 2022. Can’t wait to hear the 4th book!