An accomplished sailor and writer, Kretschmer tells the poignant, yet relatable tale of a lifetime’s love of sailing in his new book Sailing to the Edge of Time. Beginning with his first fateful trip around Cape Horn in a 32ft sloop named Gigi, Kretschmer takes readers with him as his adventure unfolds, covering hundreds of thousands of miles in the company of everyone from friends to celebrities to teachers and kids. As he does so, he also seamlessly weaves in plenty of practical sailing advice with his sea tales, making this book as useful as it is entertaining. There’s no shortage of joy, peril and watershed moments as Kretschmer tells an insightful and quietly triumphant story of how he experiences life to the fullest by leaving onshore toils behind. 

By John Kretschmer

(Bloombury, $28)