Sailing for Dummies?

This is an excellent sailing textbook - as the cover states it's "A Reference for the Rest of Us!" That is, it can be used as a beginner's book and then kept for use as a reference manual. I have read and re-read this book several times and each time I re-read it, something I didn't understand or fully comprehend "jumps out at me" and I become a better sailor because of the information contained within and imparted by this book. Also, some people know their subject but are unable to teach others what they know. Both JJ and Peter not only know their subject, sailing, but are also very adept at transferring that knowledge to their readers, sailors and wannabe sailors!

"Sailing for Dummies" offers down-to-earth, understandable explanations for everything related to sailing, from planning a trip to the mechanics of sailing to buying a boat. I've been sailing various size boats all my life, but with little formalized instruction, and this book was perfect. However, it will also be immensely helpful for those who have never stepped foot on a boat also. Great work, Islers!

As a novice sailor, I found this book to contain an introduction to everything I needed to know about sailing. The Isler couple, both world class sailors, spice up the material with personal amusing anecdotes of their sailing experiences (and occasional mishaps). Plenty of illustrations add to the book's educational value. I can't imagine a better intro book to the subject.

Sailing isn't rocket science, and the authors have done a great job of keeping it simple. They cover all of the basics, some of the advanced stuff, and take all of the mystery out of sailing. Hey, they even include a tear-out plastic-coated "cheat sheet" that you can take with you on the waves!

What a refreshing concept! This book takes the best of all other instructional sailing books and presents just the right amount of information organized in a logical manner. At the same time, it gives details (in all possible areas related to sailing) when and where appropriate. The writing style of the Islers is also to be commended. It makes for an enjoyable read. After all, that's what most of us want out of sailing.