In 1974, 22-year-old virgin sailor Mick escapes unemployment, family and 3-day-week London to become a deckhand on a small sailboat, Gay Gander, setting out to sail the Atlantic from England's West Country, via the Canaries, to Antigua in the Caribbean.
Under the eye of an unfathomable skipper, John Francis Kearney, and his formidable sailing companion Carola (both escaping from a rain-sodden Ireland and broken marriages), Mick has to learn sailing, table manners, bridging the generation gap and getting along with Stryder, the Russian Blue ship's cat.
The Long Lost Log should be fiction but is the true story of a voyage of discovery that Mick - against all odds - survived to tell this remarkable and hilarious tale.
His inner and outer journey combines danger with the unexpected, the erotic and the comic, in a resonantly related rite of passage that leaps from the page like the curious whale that once disturbed the narrator's watch.
The skipper involved happens to be the publisher's late father.
Industry Reviews
'The Long Lost Log is an entertaining account of crossing the Atlantic in 1974. Those who have ever been young, muddled and gullible will enjoy this book.' -Julia Jones; 'Yachting Monthly A vivid, spellbinding account of a true-life adventure, packed with insights into the human condition - this witty, well-paced rite of passage is full of freshness, sexual impulse and a clash of values. It is a rollicking tale written with verve, keen observations and sparkling with wry humour. Long Lost Log is a period piece for the nostalgic traveller and the armchair adventurer of any age.' - Kevin Cannon, Kevin's Book Reviews ; '... laced with some witty exchanges amongst the crew and some ribald adventures ashore by the writer ... in early September 1974, Mick finds himself literally up the creek without a paddle.' - Tom O'Sullivan, Irish Examiner ; 'Chapman Pincher has an ease with words, crafting his memories of sailing across the Atlantic into a thrilling page turner, peppered with humour, insight, beauty and the eager hope of a youth finding his way in the 70s. As well as the physical book, I was also able to listen to the audiobook recorded by the author ... Chapman Pincher has a way of telling a story with not only the written word, but a method of delivery which leaves you chuckling away out loud on the bus much to the mystery of your fellow traveller. Each character is deftly spun and each encounter and vignette in this adventure of a first-time sailor is expertly told.' - Rose Hall, Goodreads ; 'a book for those who have ever been young, muddled or wanting adventure ... Long Lost Log: Diary of a Virgin Sailor is witty, charming, and proof that some risks are worth taking ... A beautifully crafted book, multi-layered and bravely written, Long Lost Log has many interesting insights into the skills and craft of sailing and the broader history of the day.' - Shire Times ; 'A wonderful read, a thoughtful and heartfelt insight into a young man's grasping of life and its infinite possibilities and confusions and the wonders of the sea and sailing.' - WM Nixon, Afloat Magazine ; 'It's really quite something. A wonderful read.' - William M Nixon, Afloat ; Well written and genuinely funny; already a bestseller for us!' - Coach House Books ; 'It's an excellent read - fun - casual - and simply enticing.' Book-blip.com ; 'This is a rite of passage tale worth publishing.' - Yachting Monthly ; 'The vivacity is all in the quick phrasing of extraordinary things...' - Prof of Literature at Galway University ; 'One of the best books I've read this year.' - Jakereadsbooks -TikTok Influencer ; 'Chapman Pincher is a natural penman. I was gripped.' - Ed Maggs. ; 'A hilarious look back at the misspent youth I wished I'd had.' - Adrian Bracken, Film producer ; 'It's perfect gem of a book and I don't like boats.' Jeananne Crowley ; 'Written in a nice easy style..ideal for anyone who likes a good adventure story.' - Reedsy Discovery
