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Herreshoff Forum => Whatever => Topic started by: Jon on October 03, 2008, 11:55:40 PM

Title: "Let The Best Boat Win"
Post by: Jon on October 03, 2008, 11:55:40 PM
I just scored a copy of this book on eBay for $9.99.  Written by Constance Buell Burnett in the late 1950's, this book is and excellent youth-aged book on the history of Herreshoff, and has been out of print since 1960.  This copy still has the dust jacket.

I read this when I was in the 6th grade, and will now subject my three children to it.

And there will be a test.

Jon  8)
Title: Re: "Let The Best Boat Win"
Post by: Adam on October 04, 2008, 03:08:39 AM
Hey Jon - Working late - what better way to pass the time then here - since when can you read?? ;D - Great book. I have - I think - every published book on or by the Herreshoff's (all the L.Frances stuff as well). I don't have a few of the HMC self published books - There was one from the 30's I believe that I know I don't have.

One of the most interesting is "the boat builders of Bristol" (Carter 1970) - I found this one especially interesting for what it told about the "other" Herreshoff's. If there was ever a family to argue Nature vrs Nurture this could be it :).

When you get a chance Read "Their Last Letters" (Streeter 1988) - About the correspondence between WP Stephens and NGH in the 30's - this was a VERY good read. All the notations in the margins explaining the content and context of each letter is fascinating. A much better insight into each man then say NGH's "Reflections" book...

I've been "collecting" informally for a while - a great start is Llewellyn Howland III's & Gerald Mooris's "Yachting in America" - which is nothing more then a bibliography of Yachting and Sailing books between say mid 19th century and 1988. In this book Howland goes further and puts an asterisk next to books that are essential reading - You would be surprised at how easy it is to then find them on the net (Ebay, etc.) for just a few dollars - many signed.


Title: Re: "Let The Best Boat Win"
Post by: Steve on October 04, 2008, 11:46:11 AM
I think I own about every book published on the Herreshoff's as well.  My favorite is a mint copy of The Herreshoff's Of Bristol autographed by Maynard Bray.  You guys know about the coffee-table book by Franco Pace, Herreshoff And His Yachts, that was just published?  I pre-ordered a copy from Amazon that was scheduled to ship by October 1 ... it just got delayed though.  I can't wait for that to show up.
Title: Re: "Let The Best Boat Win"
Post by: Adam on October 06, 2008, 01:12:33 AM
Yeah I got the Amazon note as well... I bet it will be a stunner - His photo's are excellent....He has a book on S&S and Fife as well....