Items related to China Voyage: Across the Pacific by Bamboo Raft
Synopsis
The China Voyage is the extraordinary story of how Tim Severin and his crew made maritime history by sailing across the Pacific on a bamboo raft. Their purpose: to test the theory that Asian mariners reached America some 2,000 years ago. Their experience provides armchair explorers with one of the most remarkable sea voyages ever, and offers a unique perspective on what happens when historical theories are literally put to the test.
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From Library Journal
Severin has made a career of re-creating voyages and journeys of the famous and legendary and writing chronicles of his adventures (In Search of Genghis Khan, LJ 4/1/92). Here Severin becomes interested in the possibility of travel and cultural exchange across the Pacific prior to the European discovery of America. He recounts arguments of cultural specialists and puts forth the theory that bamboo rafts were the most likely craft used by Asian navigators of the time. The bulk of the book recounts the building of a raft in Vietnam, the gathering of a crew, and the attempt to reach California via the Kuroshio and the North Pacific currents. There is some good incidental information about Vietnam and the character of Severin's multinational crew. But there is mind-numbing detail of bad meals and dangerous weather situations, as well as the slow deterioration of the raft. Thorough, accurate, and intelligent, this work is not as exciting as the general public might desire.?William R. Smith, Johns Hopkins Univ. Lib., Baltimore
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
Severin has undertaken previous adventures inspired by historical journeys of significance. His latest expedition was motivated in part by the findings of experts who believed it possible that a Chinese explorer crossed from Asia to America perhaps 2,000 years ago on a bamboo raft. In what Severin considered to be an archeological experiment, a replica raft was built in Vietnam and christened Hsu Fu, after the revered mariner. Severin and his crew of four then set sail from Hong Kong to Tokyo before embarking on a crossing of the North Pacific. This rousing account of the journey is vividly detailed, never dreary. Nearly 1,000 miles off the Mendocino coast, these persistent sailors finally had to abandon the ancient seafaring craft that up to that point had served them so well. Alice Joyce
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherDiane Pub Co
- Publication date1994
- ISBN 10 0788155970
- ISBN 13 9780788155970
- BindingHardcover
- Number of pages317
- Rating
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