SAILING AND CRUISING By K. Adlard Coles
The growing popularity of sailing is the excuse for a spate of books on the subject. The appearance of Mr. Coles' Sailing and Cruising (Batsford, 7s. 6d.) is justified by its numerous photographs, which are beautiful works of art, and will arouse in the most sluggish a desire to go down to the sea in small boats. They bear little relation to the text, and look as though they had been collected quite independently of it. The diagrams are also good, although the six architect's designs of small cruising types do not appear very representative. The text is a good clear piece of exposition, of little interest to the skilled hand, who will know all that is in the book, but of considerable value to the novice. Beginning with "An Introduction to a Dinghy " and ending with a useful chapter on auxiliary engines, it explains the most elementary terms shortly and simply, in a manner that is reminiscent of E. F. Knight's great little book on sailing, which, although published 44 years ago, is still unrivalled as a beginner's vade mecum. Mr. Coles' information is practical and concise, but there are one or two omissions, for example anything on buoys, and there is no glossary. The book is obviously written by one who his experienced what he explains and describes.
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