Additional information
by Florence Heckel Russell (Author), Harry L. Heckel Jr (Author)
The Oldest Singlehander in the World
At the advanced ages of 78 and 89, Harry L. Heckel, Jr., fulfilled a dream: he sailed alone around the world, not once, but twice This Old Man of the Sea goes global, describing with a dry wit and a keen eye, the 54 countries and islands he visited, plus the sail to get there. Armchair travelers and sailors alike will be enthralled by the adventures of this Ancient Mariner: from the Killing Fields of Cambodia to the Great Wall of China, from avoiding pirates off Somalia to almost capsizing off Madagascar.
An inspiring tale that proves that age is no deterrent to fulfilling your dream
Praise for Harry Heckel:
He was very much admired and respected as the oldest, most experienced and wisest of yachties....he is our treasure. Rose Selfridge, s/v Fair Rose
We enjoyed Harry's wit, his incredible knowledge of so many subjects, and particularly his vitality. Betty Root, s/v Wrangler
He's one in a million. Kirk McGeorge, s/v Polly Brooks
He has seen, heard, and done so much, and has touched many people's hearts... Cindy Stew
He is truly a beacon for so many of us on how NOT to get old and boring. Maryan Koehler, author, The Stone Goat
Author Biography
Harry Heckel, Jr., sailed solo around the world twice. He was 78 when he completed his first circumnavigation. He was 89 when he completed his second. After his wife's death in 1989, Harry became a solo sailor. In all, Harry visited 54 countries and islands, including China, South Korea, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong. He evaded pirates off Somalia, and was deliberately sideswiped by Chinese fishing boats. In Yemen, Harry was presented with a burqa-shrouded woman since he had no wife. A small village in Japan threw him a reception as the oldest sailor in the world. In June 2007 in Newport News, Harry received the Joshua Slocum Society International's Golden Circle Award for his solo circumnavigations. Now 97, Harry lives with his son and daughter-in-law in Virginia. Florence Heckel Russell, a former reporter and copywriter, is the co-author (and better typist) of her father's travel memoir. Florence lives in Ohio with her old husband and even older cat. She is also the author of Heading South: Tales from the RV Trail.
