All Hands on Deck: A Modern-Day High Seas Adventure to the Far Side of the World

In his debut book, Sofrin describes his 2002 voyage aboard the Rose, a replica of an 18th-century warship, journeying from Newport, RI, to San Diego, CA. The Rose was used in the making of the 20th Century Fox movie Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, which was based on the novels of British author Patrick O’Brian. Sofrin signed on as the ship’s carpenter, joining a crew of 30, comprising seasoned tall ship sailors, experienced blue-water sailors, and a few with no sailing experience at all. The journey turned out to be more of an adventure than expected, as the ship nearly sank in hurricane-force winds and was later dismasted when hit by a rogue wave. Sofrin weaves history, biography, and information on navigation and nomenclature into the fabric of the story. Ultimately, the story he tells is more about human interaction and teamwork than the journey itself. Jonathan Todd Ross provides an engaging narration, although he occasionally seems unfamiliar with some of the nautical terms. An interview with Sofrin and the captain of the Rose is included.