Summary: This is the story of Nathaniel Bowditch, author of The American Practical Navigator (also known as "the Sailor's Bible"). Nat was a self-taught scholar in post-Revolutionary war America. After having been indentured as an apprentice at the age of 12, he thought his education was over. He soon discovered, however, that by determination and perseverance, he could learn on his own. He was a mathematical whiz and eventually even learned several languages on his own. At the end of his apprenticeship, he signed on to sail and there discovered that the formulas in the book used by sailors had many mathematical mistakes. He took it upon himself to correct this and thus was born the idea for his book. He also spent much time teaching the common sailors how to navigate, something they weren't expected to understand. Many sailors were able to move up in the ranks because of his teaching.
This book is very well-written and interesting. It is also easy to follow. It does have a lot of nautical language that sometimes we didn't understand, but we either looked up what we needed to (and Sonlight gives great notes!) or we just read through realizing that sailors have their own "language". I did have to stop a couple of times to explain what was going on, but in my opinion that only enhances the educational value of the book.
This was such a winner with my girls that Daddy heard all kinds of "Nat Bowditch" stories at the dinner table all week long! :)
Link-ups:
Thankful Homemaker, Far Above Rubies, A Wise Woman Builds Her Home, Deep Roots At Home, Raising Homemakers
