Wednesday, August 16, 2006

The Islers Are No Dummies

This isn't exactly news but falls well within the bounds of "sailing culture" - The Islers, J.J. and Peter, have (according to the San Diego Union-Tribune) sold over 100,000 copies of their first edition guide “Sailing for Dummies” and are set to issue a second run...a level of popularity they never anticipated. San Diego native J.J. is a two-time Olympic medalist and a four-time winner of the Rolex U.S. Yachtswoman of the Year award. Husband Peter has sailed as the navigator on two America's Cup winners and will be back at the game next year as the navigator aboard Oracle.

Every topic deserves a "dummy" book and sailing is no exception. I'm all for anything that increases visibility, demystifies and brings more people into the sailing fold.

A textbook, user’s manual, and reference book all in one, Sailing For Dummies introduces you to the exciting world of sailing, and shows you everything from how to tie the right knots to how you should dress when you take to the seas. Sailing For Dummies gives you practical, easy-to-follow advice from buying the right equipment and gear, and setting sail for the first time to watching races on TV. Inside, you’ll also discover how to:

  • Select the best boat to buy or rent for your sailing needs
  • Navigate like a pro—day or night—with the help of charts, satellites, and compasses
  • Handle mishaps such as torn sails and leaks
  • Recover from a capsize, tow a boat, and keep safety a priority
  • Understand U.S. federal boating regulations and other rules of the sea
  • Find a sailing school that fits your schedule and your budget
  • Make sailing fun for the entire family—from toddlers to teens
  • Locate the best cruising destinations around the world

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

A lot of people tend to laugh at the "for dummies" series, but I have to admit that I've read a bunch of em, from various computer programming books, to wine guides, and so on. They are well written, easy to follow, and extremely informative in their introductory appraoch to topics for the novice, while still maintaining a "readable interest level" for the not so novice among us. I'm glad to see this book doing so well, and this is not the first blog that I've read of its successes on this week. Kudos to the Islers, and I'm glad that there is yet another avenue to get people into our sport.