Alone Together

Sailing Solo to Hawaii and Beyond

By: Christian Williams

Narrated by: Christian Williams

Length: 11 hrs

Publisher's summary

What happens when a man of today's overconnected world sets off alone across the Pacific at the age of 71? Christian Williams, a veteran sailor and writer, planned a 6,000-mile voyage as a test of his own seamanship and endurance, and to fulfill a lifelong goal. But he found his focus quickly turning from the surrounding sea to all of us. Is anyone the same person when no one else is there? Do we dare to find out? In a new world of soaring seabirds, violent storms, and majestic emptiness, Williams discovered answers to questions he had never asked about who we are, why we sail, and the universal fear of being alone.

Alone Together is a complete technical course in offshore sailing technique and yacht preparation, and a philosophical inquiry into what it takes to be truly alive in the 21st century.

©2016 Christian Williams (P)2016 Christian Williams

For Every Sailor and Those Dreaming of the Seas

This was a wonderful book with a wide range of information, sailing tips, personal stories, and philosophical speculations. This book should be on the shelf of every sailor and of every dreamer that one day hopes to sail the oceans.

Just about everything is covered in this book including how the author selected his boat, how to prepare for a long voyage, coastal and ocean sailing tips, general sailing information, daily boat maintenance and activities, problems and repairs while underway, the feeling of isolation while sailing the ocean, and the feeling of finding one's soul while truly alone and out of the reach of civilization.

The author also did a very good job narrating the book himself. It was not the best narration I've heard on audible, but it was definitely one of the things that made the book so personal.

I not only learned things while reading this book, I found it truly inspiring and thought-provoking. Anyone with an interest in sailing or a dream of someday getting there will certainly be inspired and captivated by this book.

Gutsy Adventure

The author displays a courage and spirit that must be admired. He is a talented writer and - after a somewhat monotonous beginning - the adventure will grab you and not let you go. It is a masterful teaching tool, that schools you effortlessly in the art of sailing, and the author does so like your favorite professor from college. Well worth the outlay and time commitment. As an aside, I had hoped he would have decided to continue his solo journey, taking us with him through the South Pacific.

Zen and the Art of Long Distance Sailing

Any additional comments?

If you've read Robert Pirsig's 1974 classic Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, you'll know that the book has, by the author's own admission, little to do with zen or art or even motorcycle maintenance. In similar fashion, to take Alone Together at face value, as a how-to guide for sailing to Hawaii, is to miss the point entirely. This is just as much a book of personal philosophy, history, and psychology as it is about sailboat maintenance, navigation, and sail trim, though there's plenty of all that too.
It is deeply introspective and while Mr. Williams never lets facts get in the way of a good story, the author is also willing to expose his innermost thoughts, vulnerabilities, and self-doubts to the listener, not always because they contribute to the story arc, but sometimes simply because they are genuine.

I found the author's speech to be incredibly natural and relaxed; how people actually talk. There is a moment when we reflexively reject what we don't expect, apart from any qualitative analysis. Upon finding a nice Cabernet in our Kool-Aid cup, we're likely to spit it out no matter how objectively good it is. Likewise, the first few minutes of listening had me thinking, "this isn't what audiobooks are supposed to sound like," as the narrator plodded along, bumping over sentences unevenly, lurching about more wagon train than cruising sailboat. After a while though it became oddly soothing and I realized it wasn't that Mr. Williams was speaking too slowly, it's that I was listening too fast. You get the feeling while listening that the author isn't in any particular hurry to get anywhere, and that's exactly the point. Modern sailors don't cross the ocean to get to the other side, but rather to experience all the little moments of the crossing, to be here now, and here now, and here now.

After listening to a chapter or three, I feel like I've spent a little time alone together with the author. That seems to have been his intention and I believe he has succeeded.

Excellent expansion of the YouTube video.

Ever watch a movie and think, "I want more!", then track down the book and find it full of rich details that bring additional depth and texture to the story?

Well, that is exactly what happens in "Alone Together". I watched Christian Williams' video twice, I loved it so. I may just listen to the book again as well. Wonder what type of auto-helm equipment he used? He not only tells you, he tells the surprising story of the actual purchase. The book is full of wonderful stories and the details never become tedious.

I did rate the performance down a bit. But only because I have heard the author narrate his videos so masterfully. For whatever reason, I found his narration a bit slow and stilted at times. As much as I enjoy the tones of Mr. Williams' voice, as happy as I was to find he narrated his own book, I was slightly disappointed by those two small deficiencies. Perhaps I'm over-sensitive, having suffered through too many Scott Brick narrations to tolerate a performance even slightly resembling the almost unlistenable experience I endured with the "Coyote" sci-fi series.

If you enjoy sailing, have ever considered cruising or single-handing or solo sailing to Hawaii, this book is for you. Mr Williams is a great story teller!

Captivating and instructive!!

amazing. simply amazing. well written, well narrated, highly instructive and perhaps one of the most captivating audio books I have ever enjoyed.

This book is new, and features a few people I have personally met, and several people that are friends of friends. I was living aboard my 1967 30 ft sloop in Hawaii in Keehi lagoon (practically the only haul out spot in Hawaii) while all of the travels recorded in this book took place, and I well remember preparing for the double hurricanes that year; I felt a strange kinship with the author when I listened to him recall tying triple dock lines and the strange atmosphere of worry and relaxation on the docks.

I am now convinced that at least some of the best pieces of sailing advice and tips I have ever received may have originated with this author. Some of the sayings were word for word to that which I learned on the docks of Oahu. Perhaps it is merely common wisdom, but either way - this book is as useful and instructive as it is captivating.

Expect this title to make your heart intone like a bell for the sea. It contains lots of useful instruction but feels like a story. I can't wait to be offshore again.
Godspeed!

I sailed across the Pacific Ocean...with Christian

Would you consider the audio edition of Alone Together to be better than the print version?

I have not read the print version but I have enjoyed a lot the audio edition.

What about Christian Williams’s performance did you like?

The soothing tone of voice.

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

Absolutely!

fantastic true life adventure story

beautifully written and narrated by the author. plenty of sailing talk, intermingled with philosophy. easy audiobook to get lost in. thanks

Much more than just a sailing story

Sailing enthusiasts will enjoy this book, but so will all those interested in a reflective journey into the nature of self, and the importance of the interrelation between ourselves and the many people whose influence in our lives makes us who and what we are. This book will all those who are learning to come to terms with middle or old age. It reveals both the limitations and the depth of personality wisdom and equilibrium that come with the advancing of the years and a life well lived.

An excellent listen

It felt like I was right there with him. Even the most trivial task on the boat was an enjoyable listen. He has a way with words that make his experience seem wholesome and relatable. I highly recommend this audiobook for anyone who enjoys sailing and finding oneself in solitude.

Wonderful

Wonderfully entertaining, accessible, and deceptively thought-provoking. Great reading by the author himself. Highly recommend to all...

Thank you Christian

Thanks for sharing your story Christian. i love you youtube videos. keep them coming.

the book itself is a nice listen. i really enjoyed it

A book greatly improved by the narration.

I loved listening to the story of Mr Williams' sail to and from Hawaii. It isn't edge of your seat drama and not much really happens, but the author's style is convivial and inclusive.

I genuinely felt I had sailed there and back to Hawaii with the accompanying philosophical insights and occasional related stories.

I can't say I've heard or read a book quite like it before and I heartily recommend it to those who sail and those who don't.

Brilliant

This and other works by Mr. Christian Williams have ensured my sanity whilst circumnavigating my own little piece of this planet whilst stationed in a small compound
In the heart of the Middle East.
Sincere appreciation, listening to your words is akin to what David Attenborough opens our eyes, ears and imagination to the worlds natural environment, Mr. Williams brings to us the sense in sailing the worlds oceans. “You get my meaning”.

Alone Together

Spot on excellent enjoy the book right to the end thanks. Terry keep it up good luck.

I love this book

Love the way the author speaks direct to you.
And the way he narrat it.
Can't read to many times.

A witty written masterpiece of sailing literature.

A witty written masterpiece of sailing literature. Great practical insights and thoughtful reflections. Absolutely must read/listen.

Educating

Really interesting and a story to be able to relate with in the past or look anticipate for the future.

Enjoyable listening from start to finish.

Superb thanks

Just fantastic from Mr Williams. Have listened to this over and over.

He whisks you into his adventure, just wonderful 👍🏻🇬🇧

Incredibly engaging

Christian Williams is to sailing accounts, what Thelonius Monk is to jazz. one is immersed and utterly engaged.

Outstanding tale well told

The laconic and often truculent internal monologue of the author is translated as an hilarious, moving, informative tale of a solo adventure. An brilliant listen, highly recommended.