Heart of Oak is one the finest war books and sea stories that I have read. I found it hard to put down. Although the intensity of the war and its effects on the men was depressing, I was compelled to keep reading.

Jones' gives the reader a different and personal perspective--that of the lowly, poor, and teenage sailor; looked down upon by everyone else and facing death, boredom, and discomfort constantly.

I agree with another reviewer that it is unlikely that Jones witnessed as much as he claimed, and I cannot attest to the accuracy of his descriptions of life aboard His Majesty's Navy, but there is a truthfullness and sincerity in Jones' narative that I find totally convincing.

A welshman's soulful and realistic retelling of a matelot's live in Her Majesty's Navy during the dark days of World War II. Tristan Jones recounts his experiences with all the colour and song of a poet; a sea poet - and that he is. The lives of these men carry with you long after reading this book. Put Tristan Jones near the top of my favorite author's list.

Always the consumate story teller, Tristan Jones relates his experiences as an enlisted man in the Royal Navy with a sense of realism that is so missing from many other accounts. In particular, his ability to put the reader into the world of the matelots (enlisted sailors) sheds light on a part of military history that has often been ignored. This is of particular importance when looking at the WWII Royal Navy, with it's rigid class divisions and the almost parallel worlds that existed between officers and men on RN ships. Many WWII accounts came from RN officers, with their often highly paternalistic and class bound accounts of the actions of their ships and crews. Jones takes you inside the very dynamic societies that existed in those thin skinned steel tombs that sailed the Atlantic.

Jones's account also offers a rare glimpse of the world of the boy sailor, a rank now abolished but the starting point for many of the previous generations of RN sailors. I personally met a WWII vet who, like Jones, had started as a boy sailor in the Royal Navy, and he vouched for the accuracy of Jones's tale.

An excellent read, and a often gripping look at the life of the ordinary (and often extraordinary) men who sailed the ships that won the war.

Highly recommended

A truly amazing and very poignant book. Triston has a great style that places you in his eyes and allows you to feel his emotions. This man has experienced more in his life than most of us could in 10 lifetimes. A great adventure by a great man. A sure hit for the sailor or non-sailor.

I sought the man, in order to tell him how inspirational his adventures and his books are to me...I am disabled but with Tristan's writings, the adventurous spirit that lives inside of me is alive and 'abled' through the honesty in the telling, the respect for all people as individuals and the frankness regarding the truth of life. Tristan speaks with his heart .. the delights and cruelties of nature and man, are beyond words into the innocent love of the Creator through His Creations. I will never pilot any type of boat (nor would I wish to)nor would I ever sail or desire to. Tristan's books are more than that, more than the challenge to do the same as he. They are about the beauty of Life itself and the value of it. Unfortunatly, Tristan Jones passed away before I 'discovered' his books and I was unable to tell him how his writings, his honest persona awakened my heart. No reader of Tristan's books is disabled. I travel with him and I learn about Life all over again.

"Saga of a Wayward Sailor" and "The Incredible Voyage," as were most of Tristan Jones' books, were an inspiration that gave me the fortitude to continue building my own boat and then to sail the south Pacific and Asian waters. I paid tribute to Tristan by devoting a chapter to him in my most recent book "At Home In Asia." I was fortunate to have met him later. I was carrying a copy of the book from Singapore where it was printed to Tristan who was living in Phuket at the time. But I was too late. Tristan had died a few days before. Harold Stephens

The late Tristan Jones was, in real life, a solo-sailor of small boats; one of those intrepid iconoclasts who look back at the rest of us from the brink with a sardonic grin as if asking how we can stand living in the safety of the herd.

Aka is Jones's novel of a small-boat sailor who agrees to enter a solo race around the world, replacing his friend who was killed in a highway accident. In a parallel story, Aka and his school of bottle-nose dolphin follow their customary itinerary in their annual migration to the calving ground at St. Paul's Rocks in the equatorial mid-Atlantic, which, according to Tristan Jones, is what is left of the lost continent of Atlantis, formerly populated by the dolphins' great friends, the Sea Kings.

Jones's hero, Conan, is a competent sailor and the details of life at sea on a small boat are absolutely authentic. Still, he manages to go overboard in mid-ocean and watch his boat nonchalantly sail off without him--

"...and he wept like a lone child lost in the dark, appalling reaches of infinity."

Tristan Jones has sailed the Atlantic eighteen times, nine times alone. Of his book, Ice, Sterling Hayden, who has himself washed more salt out of his sea-boot socks than most of us have sailed over, says, "What an epic book written by such a glorious man..."

For those of us who are drawn to the sea a story like this, written by a small boat sailor, is ambrosia, whether the author writes well or not. Tristan Jones writes very well. He was awarded first prize for the most distinguished book of 1979-80 by the Welsh Arts Society. he is also a member of the Explorer's Club and has sailed the highest and lowest latitudes on earth (he has sailed farther north than any other man.)

About Aka, Jones says: "If my tale can bring to people ashore a little of the joy, a little of the elation and wonder, and even a mite of the pain and suffering that voyagers and other mammals know at sea, then any carping of pierhead critics will be to this book as the squeaks of an un-oiled sheet-block are to a vessel safely at anchor in her own quiet haven."

Amen!

Joe Pierre
author of The Road to Damascus

As were all of Tristan Jones' books, this book too was an inspiration that gave me the fortitude to continue building my own boat and then to sail the south Pacific and Asian waters. I paid tribute to Tristan by devoting a chapter to him in my book "At Home In Asia," and I wrote about him again in my last book "The Last Voyage: the Story of Schooner Third Sea." I was fortunate to have known Tristan and I think of him often. He was an incredible man. Tristan did add a comment to my last book when he heard of my own person loss before he died. Harold Stephens. http://northcoast.com/!wolfen

Those who seek adventure that exists outside fiction will revel in the exploits in this book! Out of print for a number of years, the book resurfaces from obscurity in all its glory! Tristan Jones was not just an amazing adventurer, he was also a born philosopher. The book bulges with example after example of Jones' dedication to the concept that launched this remarkable real-life voyage. Sadly, Tristan Jones has left us, but this book (and all his others) survive him as a testament to the amazing life of this larger-that-life man. Jones did not sugar-coat the trials and tribulations of his and his companions' unbelievable achievement. He was not afraid to reveal the ebb and flow of his emotions during this journey; he openly reveals the doldrums of despair during dark moments when he feared his mission would fail, as well as the heights of his pure joy as the obstacles were overcome. In a world where many of our adventures are built in the realm of fiction, this one stands out as a shining example of the adventures that can happen in the world around us, if we are dedicated to the goals we seek! Whether you are a fan of nautical adventure or not, this book is one you may find will reawaken your belief in the potential of the human race! Buy a copy to wear out, and then buy a dozen to give away!

I have recently started reading books on the ocean & sailing authored by crusty old sea dogs.New to this genre I had no idea what to expect...However I was absolutely spellbound!!Tristans writing is colourful & entertaining, emotional yet humerous.I highly reccommend to anyone looking to pass some time.WARNING..This ebook could very well consume youre waking hours until completed.
Love & Light

While this is not the first of Tristan's books, it should be the first one that you read. It really is the story that starts it all. When a close friend, Capt N., introduced me to Tristan, this was the book he gave me. I will never be able to thank him enough. From the very start, he grabs you, takes you hostage, and throws you down below. With you as a involved observer and Nelson, his one eyed three legged dog, Tristan Jones will fill you and chill you with his voyage to THE ARTIC!!!

I have every single book of Tristan's, and Ice! has always been my favorite. Incredible description of the land and sea and emotions of his experiences in the far north years and years ago. His strength and courage (and humour!) have helped and inspired me most of my adult life. Though Tristan passed away four years ago I always remember him on this date, May 8, his birthday. Happy birthday, Tristan Jones!

I worked in Barmouth, N. Wales in the early 80's. Mr. Jones accuratley describes the very friendly Welsh people. This book will make you laugh and cry at his adventures. It is a wonder that Mr Jones has kept his innocence in his later writings, after all he went through as a child.

A Steady Trade is a wonderful autobiographical book about a teenage boy from Wales who works on sailing barges in the coastal trade in northern Europe in the 30s of the last century. I liked the book because it is well written, and has detailed information about life and work on the sailing barges and small ships that plyed the waters of the English Channel and the rivers of northern Europe.

It contains fine descriptions of life in a village in Wales in that bygone era, and many details about boating and shipping in Sussex and Kent, and London. This is one of the best books that I have read about sailing and is a "must read" for anyone interested in what it was actually like when sailboats were the workhorses of coastal shipping--actually the end of that era.

There is a certain amount of psuedo-philosophical BS in the book, Welsh boosterism, and idealization of working types in Jones story, but it is easy to skim these parts for those mainly interested in life and work in coastal Great Britain in the 30s.

I think this book would be appropriate for children and teenagers who are interested in sailing and working sailboats. There is some bad language, a bit of wry sexual content, and manly dialogue, but nothing frightening or too offensive. The extensive and detailed descriptions of the boats and how they were worked and sailed (without engines) might bore some kids. Mostly the book is charming and absorbing.

I would almost be willing to put this book next to Two Years Before the Mast on my shelf. It is that good.

I first read this book when I was probably 11 years old, and have read it I don't know how many times since then. Tristan Jones had the soul of a poet, as well as a natural ability to evoke the spirit of a bygone era seen through the eyes of a boy coming of age. Filled with colorful, sometimes heart-wrenching, often humourous anecdotes, this wonderful book has won a permanent place in my heart - very highly recommended.

Inspiration is a personal matter in that what may inspire one, may not inspire another. For me, this book has left an indelible mark that has propelled me for the last 12 years - it's been that long since I've read it. Since that time however, I've been an advid reader and I have yet to find a book that can rival it.

Tristan, who died several years ago, was an unabashed old salt that lived by his own rules. He was unapologetic in his ways, which made him an entertaining man to take you on this incredible voyage. The book is less about seafaring (as a disappointed reader indicates below) and much more about incredible experiences in amazing places.

Suffice it to say that this book inspired me to pick up and travel around the world, learn to sail and cruise the Caribbean, and even name my son after him. How's that for being inspired? Most of all, it inspired me to go out and create my own adventures in life. After all, life is the voyage that Tristan was writing about.

This book will keep you at the edge of your chair. From the Dead sea to Lake Titicaca through a six year voyage this book never gets boring. You wont put it down. OUTSTANDING!

When reading this book, the reader is entranced with the adventurer that is Tristan Jones. He describes his journey in a manner which entertains, educates and captivates. For a boat lover, this book is a must read. For the adventure fan, this book provides hours of entertainment and excitement. Certainly, Tristan Jones finest hour.

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I stopped buying Tristan Jones books because I felt there was little substance to them and some fabrication added to help sell them to the publishers. All the books are skimpy fast reads. I hope my opinion is changed, but I'm unwilling to invest in any more of them to find out.

He has a some of good advice for sailors at sea. However, I have to say, that like most of his books I take what he writes with a grain of salt. And, some of what he recommends, I doubt he ever did himself.

That is not to say his advice is bad, just not practical in some cases. I doubt many seaman would follow all of his advice.

For example, he recommends that single handed sailor drag a line behind the boat hooked up to a trip wire arrangement to heave the boat to. Great advice. I doubt anyone follows it or that Tristan Jones did so. That doesn't mean it is not good advice. This sort of thinking is smart thinking, planning ahead for an emergency.

Likewise his advice for having a triangular patch of canvas ready and rigged on the bow with control lines all set ready to cover a hole below the waterline should the unlike event happen that one gets holed below the waterline. This is just something that would get in the way, foul up something else on the boat and cause more trouble than it's worth. I think a better idea is have one ready to go and practice rigging it.

Perhaps these ideas may make sense when you are sitting at a typewriter trying to put enough substance in a book so you can sell it to a publisher. This is my impression of Tristan Jones.

If you get something out of a book like this, you got something that may give you an idea that will save your boat or yourself.

I gave it 3 stars because I felt it was like some of his other books, short books made in an attempt to make money to fund his roving lifestyle as a wandering seaman.

Hey he pulled it off.

Maybe you can too! Bring a laptop if you go cruising, there is bound to be a story in it.

This book has great information for solo sailors or those who could become solo sailors with the illness or injury of one person. My husband and I are the only crew for our 40 ft sailboat. He is the more knowledgeable sailor by far, so if he is out of commission for a while, I will be very grateful for the ideas I have gotten from this book.

This book is enormously informative. Well worth purchasing and studying. Information that could save your life, no joke!

The book takes you from a point in Jones' life where just finished hauling his boat up to "naval of the world", lake Titikaka--the highest lake in the world in Peru. Jones wanted to set a record as being the first man to ever sail upon this lake--he at least is the first to make this claim. The book picks up just after this and tells of a time where he eeks out a living in Brazil. He attempts and finally finds success selling a story that finances his return to England. He runs into difficulty with the authorities there and decides to sail to New York City were he manages to "shoe-horn" his diminutive boat "Sea Dart" into the elevator of Waldorf Astoria. He does this by cutting the cabin top off his boat. All this just so he could display it when he speaks of his adventures to the Explorer's Club.

It is not a book about sailing. I was looking to purchase a book about Tristan Jones sailing adventures. I learned very little about sailing when reading this book, because it was about a period of time where Tristan was barely surviving in South America trying to raise money to head to sea again. It is not a bad book, but it is not his best. This should not be your first Tristan Jones book. Don't buy this if you want a book on sailing. DO BUY this book if you want insight in how it is to be poor in South America. He tell of all sorts of horrifible atrocities taking place, like murder and genocide. I enjoyed the book but found some portions disturbing. I have to question it's accuracy, simply because he was a poor and desperate man at the time. Could he have embellished it to make the story easier to sell? My feeling is yes. I took it with a grain of salt, and because of the disturbing images, I doubt I'll re-read it.

A really wonderful book. Not a simple task to write an entire book based on life in a rescue dinghi. Like Anne Frank's Diary, the book seems at times to drag on ad infinitum, but this was it's strength. You truely feel the anticipation of the character. I couldn't put the book down. I recommend it.

Tristan's adventures continue on land. After struggling to get Sea Dart across South America--sometimes dragging the boat through the jungle--Tristan is in danger of losing her. He lives on the streets, takes odd jobs and sinks into despair. It all makes the triumph at the end of the book that much sweeter.