Gates of the Wind

Published in 1965, this not high adventure, but if you are interested in a gentle time with the author in and around the Greek Islands of the Northern Sporades, it is a well written book. It picks up with pace and interest near the end when the author obtains some land on Skopelos and begins to build his house, as well as a urgent trip between islands to ensure voters in the mayoral election can cast their votes, as they were isolated by some political manoeuvring.

Otherwise, it is a trip from island to island in the authors30 foo sailing boat Astarte, purpose build for him, part Cornish fishing boat, part Greek caique. There is no sailing jargon, and in fact the sailing is the means of transport and for the large part his accommodation, but this is not a book about sailing. Carroll meets interesting characters, many who reappear throughout the book, visits interesting places and tells the history and stories of these islands. Much of this is very slow paced, so slow indeed that I almost gave it away partway through, but there was just enough to keep me awake, and as I noted the last 50 pages picked up in pace. Enough anyway for me to get to three stars.

For those with a specific interest in these islands, or if you prefer a gentle look around, this might just be the best book you ever read.