There are many ingredients necessary to make an adventure. For example take one young and enthusiastic Irishman, a thirst to visit far away places, a love of the sea and a capacity to observe life and the adventure can begin. John Molloy in 410 well written pages takes the reader around the world on a journey to great ports, out of the way places, through freezing Atlantic waters to the sometimes placid waters of the Pacific Islands. As his journey through youth begins, so does his understanding of the culture of his ship board life and the traits, good and bad of his companions. He brings an insight into the often mysterious habits of the people in countries half a world away from his homeland of Ireland. Side by side with his skills as a seaman, he shows through his exciting writing that he has further skills which give his book an authority which surely will stand as a record of life at sea in a time of great change for seafarers, ashore and afloat. A gripping book don't miss it. Captain Douglas.