Crossing Pirate Waters (Escape Book 2) Kindle Edition

I read Escape from the Ordinary, so I had high hopes for Crossing Pirate Waters and the second half of Julie and Glen’s multi-year voyage. Unfortunately, I ended up kind of disappointed.If you read the first book, you know that Julie and Glen made a courageous decision to start retirement by sailing around the world. Julie did a nice job of chronicling their story and bringing the reader along for the voyage.In this book, Julie and Glen face major life-shaping events both directly and indirectly, and the sailing mostly ends up playing a supporting role to Julie’s story. I’m not criticizing the fact that life happens, but don’t expect this to be the second half of the same story you started by reading Escape from the Ordinary. Most of this story seems to take place on land, especially during very long stretches away from the boat and including many months where Julie and Glen flew somewhere else for a while.Julie does a nice job of retelling stories about her background that will help new readers understand and appreciate the perspective of the author. In some of the stories she shares this time around, her biased “open-mindedness” comes through more clearly. This shows up most obviously in judgmental comments about other cultures and even some animals’ behaviors, contrasted with praise for examples where people rejected their culture or traditions. It’s interesting to see that traveling the world in a most interesting way doesn’t necessarily expand one’s tolerance for things s/he doesn’t agree with. Having said that, I still think it would be fascinating to spend an hour of two with Julie and hear about this trip.Back to the book. Pirates barely make an appearance compared to what you would expect from the title. And, as I mentioned, the whole experience of “getting there” starts to play a minor role. It’s certainly not their fault that their lives (and the world) changed while they were traveling, but I would have preferred that the story stay focused on the trip and not the travelers instead of reversing the two.Oh yeah. There’s an odd fixation on penises and penis coverings of South Pacific Islanders. (Yes, I’m serious.) It’s mentioned over and over, even when telling about another experience with the same tribe (?) of islanders. It was peculiar.I’m not at all disappointed that I took the time to read this book because I wanted closure on the story after being wrapped up in Escape from the Ordinary. I got that, just in disappointing fashion. Julie and Glen are good people, and I appreciate them sharing their story with the world.

This book and it's predecessor book (Escape from the Ordinary) are two of my favorite books that I have ever read. I learned a ton about sailing and the world from reading them. I couldn't wait for this book to come out, and it did not disappoint. Both books are truly page turners that are hard not to devour in one sitting. I can't recommend this book and Escape from the Ordinary highly enough!

I'm going to put more effort into their review than any review I've ever done. You see, I feel like I owe the author, since I've actually taken notes about what to complain about.If you read the books by the Pardys, or James Baldwin, you know what I was looking for. I've stopped reading plenty of books that were basically stories of rich people who bought expensive boats and went sailing Marina to Marina. And honestly, that's what I thought of this book. And the previous one. And yet I kept reading and reading. All the while taking notes. Listen to these silly people talk about their small boat, when their brand new boat is actually significantly larger than most of us can afford, costing more than my house. By the way, I live in a nice house. Calling themselves minimalist, all the while sailing with radar, generators and water makers, bow thrusters, and even night vision! Again, the stories I enjoy and live myself considered GPS a luxury. If you think you're hearing a little bit of jealousy, I wouldn't disagree.But slowly and surely, I began to see the truth in the story. What I don't like about those other books and the stories they tell is that they describe an elitist lifestyle the few of us will ever achieve. What Julie and Glenn did was use those expensive and some would say unnecessary tools to achieve what few of us ever do. Not just to sail around the world, but to learn to appreciate people that are vastly different than ourselves. Their level of apreciation is clearly demonstrated by what they did after sailing around the world. You'll have to read the book to know.So it's with heartfelt apologies for my own sailing purist judgmentalism that I highly recommend this book to anyone wishing to read about a great adventure, but also to have an opportunity to look inside themselve in ways that they may not have done before.I've had my share of adventures, and try to live my life to the fullest. But I can't hold a candle to these two and the life they chose to live when they could have sat at home watching TV and eating bonbons for the rest of their lives.

The second of this two-book series takes up the circumnavigation of the world by sail at the point where the author's and her husband have become competent blue water sailors. With flashbacks to their previous experience in the military, they complete a journey that covers as much spiritual and emotional territory as geographical. Against a background that includes the political pushback from 911 and the U.S. response in the middle east, the effects of Canadian Tsunami, and the Americas Cup in New Zealand, the couple find perspective and fulfillment in relations with people they meet--from the wealthiest "yachting," to the humbles spokespeople living in tropical islands or war-torn desert communities. A rewarding read.

Great cure for the Corona virus quarantined blues. I felt like I was traveling along with Glen and Julie as they sailed the Pacific, Indian Ocean, Red Sea and Suez Canal and all the stops along the way. Loved the descriptions and personal insights Julie shares about the people and places visited. If you are a traveler, interested in different cultures or dream about adventures of a lifetime, I highly recommend reading Crossing Pirate Waters!

Despite limited sailing experience they set off across the Atlantic in rather inclement weather for the Caribbean at the start of their round the world experience. Despite many obstacles, including ill health, they soldiered on. A very interesting read.

I rarely review books, but I want to thank Julie for the most moving book I have read since I read 'My Side of the Mountain' when I was a kid. I'm in my mid sixties now and have recently taken up sailing and plan to sail around the United Kingdom next year. Her stories of good times and hard were wonderful. I wished I had found sailing when I was younger, I would have maybe enjoyed the same adventure.

I have just read both of the books in quick order during the lockdown in the UK over the Christmas period (2020). Thoroughly enjoyed them both and as both a sailor and traveller, I could really relate to the adventures which are wonderfully written. Julie and Glen have lived amazing lives that most of us can only imagine. Thank you so much for sharing your story. Highly recommended.

I am not a sailor but this book takes you on a journey beyond just sailing. Well written and engaging. Do read the first book before this one. That's brilliant too, it also sets the context for this.

I have read both of Julies sailing books and enjoyed them immensely.Julie makes you feel as you are with her and her husband on their journey.I can thoroughly recommend both Crossing Pirate waters and Escape from the ordinary. Both are great reads.