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

Bloomsbury presents Sailing to the Edge of Time by John Kretschmer, read by Matthew Kevin Anderson. 

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 and 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)

Disappointed

Having just finished Cape Horn to Starboard and Sailing a Dangerous Ocean Both of which I loved, I found this one repetitive (from previous books), overly dramatic, and the narrator was just too monotone and serious.

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.

Well written, and well read.

I loved it. Don't let the reviews with complaints about the narrarator throw you. The whole thing is superbly done. I own over 300 audiobook titles and it is RARE for there to be no mispronunciations. Also I don't know what else the narrarator could have done without being over the top. I enjoyed it immensely and believe you will too.

Good, but not my favorite Kretschmer book

Narrator is angry. John's other books are great. This one got into the fringes of politics just a little, enough that I want to say just stop. Don't ruin your books, keep that out. I don't know if it was the narration, but there was a lot in this book that came off as condescending. I love John's other books, they are great.

Amazing storytelling by the author

Great book. Terrible narrator almost ruined it with goofy pronunciations of common items, like he was trying to sound fancy. Should have had Nick O'kelly narrate it: he's an experienced sailor and great narrator.

I enjoyed it

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

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.

Ocean Voyaging

Through John's books, I have gleaned many insights into the ocean voyaging world. His stories and experience are invaluable to any sailor, and just as interesting on their own.

Great story! Awful narration

The narrator was entirely too monotone and incorrectly pronounces most locations. It really was bad. But that said, the story was so interesting and well told that I didn’t want to not listen. Kretschmer is a great storyteller with amazing experiences to share. I thoroughly enjoyed it and plan on reading/listening to more of his work.

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.

outstanding advice really deep details as usual -

John gas thus knd of gift of talking direct to your soul, he has the knack of encouraging and warning, boosting your confidence and caution you at the same time brilliant book highly recommended

I suffered my way through and it was worth it

I’m really not sure whom the target audience is. It’s highly dramatic at times with the story resembling a script from deadliest catch full of dramatic adjectives and hyperbole. The author does however make some really valuable comments and there in lies the value. It’s enough to give a prospective sailor the jitters and send him to the golf shop instead. Such a shame as despite the impression this book could give sailing is a safe and very enjoyable experience. Oh, you can actually safely cross oceans in a Beneteau and they won’t toss all aboard into the sea at the first sight of a storm.

Wonderful book for sailors and hopefully non-sailors

This is an extraordinarily well written account of one man’s love of the sea, seaworthy sailboats and adventure with a huge dollop of both exciting sailing anecdotes and wisdom thrown in for good measure. It’s slightly annoying that the narrator hadn’t researched the pronunciation of some common nautical terms, let alone standard English words. Surely listeners can expect a professional narrator to pronounce “incongruous” correctly, for instance?
A minor gripe, though, considering how enjoyable the book is. Thanks, John!!

Enjoyable book

This book was a departure from my normal listening but very enjoyable.

The author clearly knows his stuff, but shares his expertise and experiences with humility. He is also appropriately respectful of the oceans.

The narrator is just the worst things

I love Kretschmer. Don't like the narrator. thought I could get used to his voice and dooming intonations, but just give me a hour of waterboarding and I'm in a better mental state then I am now. guess I need to buy the paper version of this book.

lovely & informative book

loved this gentle listen and will return to listen to it again soon. Unexpected life philosophy mixed with inspiring sailing adventures & experiential advice.