There was a time not long past when the world's oceanic cargo moved in beautiful wind-driven sailing ships. They were successors to millenia of less noble craft, but at their zenith, in the 19th century, they dominated the seas.

Eric Newby had the good fortune to sail on one of these clippers. Shortly before WW II, he signed aboard as deckhand on a ship in the grain trade, out-bound for Australia with a cargo of wheat.

"This marvelous recollection of a young man's great adventure is funny, poignant, thrilling and memorable." (B-O-T Editorial Review Board)