by Robert C. Leslie
About this book
Robert C. Leslie's A Waterbiography is a mesmerizing maritime memoir that captures the golden era of sail through the eyes of a man who devoted his life to the sea. Born in 1826, Leslie was an accomplished artist and writer whose passion for sailing vessels—and the adventure they promised—shaped his entire existence during Britain's Great Age of Sail, before steam power transformed maritime life forever.
This nautical narrative chronicles Leslie's progression from youthful enthusiasm to seasoned sailor, documenting his evolution across decades of small-boat cruising along England's coasts. With vivid observations and period authenticity, Leslie offers fascinating insights into the early days of amateur sailing, when singlehanded cruising was considered audacious and even dangerous. He reflects on the peaceful, undisturbed coastal landscapes of the 1840s and 1850s—places like Sidmouth—before railways and tourism reshaped Britain's relationship with the sea.
Leslie's eloquent prose transports listeners to a vanished world where sailing was an art form and the ocean represented ultimate freedom. His firsthand accounts of life aboard sailing vessels, combined with his artistic perspective, create an intimate portrait of maritime culture during a transformative period in history.
Perfect for maritime history enthusiasts, sailing aficionados, and anyone captivated by nostalgic accounts of the sea, A Waterbiography preserves the spirit of an age when the romance of sail still dominated the waters.
