We have compiled maritime books for you that you will read excitedly. Here is our list of 10 books that you will read without getting bored while staying in the Tuzla and Yalova shipyards region.
1. Kon-Tiki - Thor Heyerdahl (Translated by Deniz Canefe, Alpha Book)
When the Norwegian anthropologist Thor Heyerdahl proposes a theory that the Polynesian Islands people came from Peru on rafts, no one is taken seriously. Only one way remains for him. Going out into the ocean by making an old technology raft and experimenting with his theory. This book tells about Heyerdahl's legendary journey through storms, breaths, sharks, sun, and stars in 1947 for 101 days. There is also a movie about the journey, but I would say read the book first.
2. Stray - Steven Callahan (trans. Hülya Leigh, Naviga Publications)
I would have taught this book by Steven Callahan in all schools if I had the opportunity. It should be one of the books that best describes a sailor's commitment to life and his struggle for survival. I think it will make a precious contribution to the lives of young people in particular. Callahan manages to survive for 76 days by moving from her sinking boat in the ocean to an inflatable small rescue boat at the last minute. The sharks stay on the edge of life, embracing that tiny hope that oozes through heat, cold, hunger, and thirst. After this experience, Callahan also consulted for the movie Life of Pi.
3. Ice - Tristan Jones (trans. Selahattin Erkanlı, Marmara Offshore Yacht Club Publishing House)
Tristan Jones is one of the greatest seafarers ever. He has many books and literary works about the sea, but only two of them have been translated into Turkish, and unfortunately, you can only find them in booksellers. In addition to his seamanship, he has an incredibly strong literary language. While reading this book about his long journey to the Arctic Ocean, he became a little Jack London, a little Ken Parker in the Alaskan comic, and a little Sait Faik of the North for me. Jones completed his legendary journey with his one-eyed and one-legged dog, sometimes disappearing between storms and icebergs, sometimes surviving with the help of an Eskimo clan, fighting with polar bears.
4. Long Road - Bernard Moitessier (trans. Hasan Ali)
The legendary French sailor Bernard Moitessier. He was one of the nine participants of the Golden Globe, the first solo sailing race around the world, held in 1968. The probability of winning the race was high. He threw a 77% time difference to his closest competitor. While everyone was waiting for him at the finish line, Moitessier suddenly changed his course.
There was no radio in his boat. He used an old mariner method to communicate. He squeezed his message into a can and threw it in the slingshot onto the deck of the passing boat.
His final diverting message was: “My goal (!) Is to continue the journey (!) Still without stopping, towards the pacific islands where the sun and peace are more than in Europe. Please don't think I'm trying to break a record. "Record" is a foolish word at sea. I continue my journey non-stop because I am happy at sea and probably intend to save my soul. ”
5. Big Grouper - Yaman Koray (Akis Kitap)
Yaman Koray is actually one of the legends of Turkish maritime and maritime literature. He spent most of his life as a diver and sailor, learned the sea very well, and loved and wrote a lot. He is a well-read author in his time. When he wanted to reprint his books in the early 2000s, publishers described him as a writer who died while he was alive and closed their doors. His books were not in print, but towards the end of this year, all his works will be reprinted. In Büyük Groupfoz, it tells of a harpooner pursuing the giant fish, the lord of the reefs.
6. Moby Dick - Herman Melville
"Moby Dick" is the world-famous novel by American author Herman Melville. The work tells the story of Captain Ahab and the Pequod ship that went whaling. However, as more than an adventure novel, many subjects such as religion, philosophy, and politics, which Melville has deep knowledge of, are also conveyed in the background of events. Not only sea enthusiasts, but everyone should read this book, which is one of the classics of American literature, with admirable metaphors!
7. Heart of Darkness - Joseph Conrad
Joseph Conrad writes "Heart of Darkness," inspired by a trip he made to the Congo during his sailor years. It drags the reader into three different darkness that Marlow, the protagonist of the work, faces. In this book, the author deals with the untouched Congo, the persecution of Europeans against the natives and the darkness of the desire to do evil hidden in every human being. You should definitely read this book, which has become even more interesting with its discussion of colonialism in the freedom of the sea and its words that need to be pondered, clinging to the wind of the language.
The Heart of Darkness also inspired Francis Ford Coppola's cult movie "Apocalypse". We also suggest you watch the trailer of "Apocalypse" where you will take a journey to the dark corridors of the human soul.
8. Call of the Sea - Jack London
As in many of his works, Jack London includes his observations on maritime in "Call of the Sea". The protagonist of the book, Joe, is caught in a dilemma between a sea beckoning him and a test he must run. Unable to withstand the call of the sea, Joe makes a decision by running away from home, but finds himself among the pirates. Jack London conveys your existence in a life you feel belonging through the life of Joe, who is a crazy young man. “Call of the Sea” is the novel of finding yourself and we are sure that you will like this novel very much.
9. Treasure Island - Robert Louis Stevenson
A treasure or a treasure map to be found in our minds when the sea and pirate are mentioned necessarily come to life. It is a story written for children, full of courage, friendship, patience and vast seas, with interesting elements such as treasure hunting and pirates. If you haven't read it yet, don't miss this adventure. If you've read it before, maybe you want to go back to your childhood.
10. Sea Shore - Yasar Kemal
In his novels, Yaşar Kemal tells about vast Anatolian geography stretching from the Black Sea to the Taurus Mountains, from Mount Ararat to the Aegean, and observes Istanbul in his "Sea Dust." Different districts of Istanbul, boats, muddy streets, slums, fishers, cafes, everything about Istanbul is perfectly conveyed to the reader. When all these are combined with Yaşar Kemal's ability to describe, an Istanbul novel that you cannot get enough of comes out. This book, which deals with the dark events in Istanbul, murders, dirty trade, the deteriorating structure of the city, nature, and animals killed, reflects the degeneration and decay in the geography to the reader. He also thinks about how the sea should not be offended by us after these evils. We are sure that you will love to read this work, which was written by Yaşar Kemal.