Why read First You Have to Row a Little Boat?

Book cover of First You Have to Row a Little Boat: Reflections on Life & Living

Book description

FIRST YOU HAVE TO ROW A LITTLE BOAT first hit shelves in the mid 1990s and has been inspiring readers ever since. Written by a grown man looking back on his childhood, it reflects on what learning to sail taught him about life: making choices, adapting to change, and becoming…

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Why read it?

1 author picked First You Have to Row a Little Boat as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Christopher Rosow

Author

Richard Bode’s pocket-sized memoir was given to me by a college friend, shortly after our graduation (as I write this, that was about three decades ago, and I still have this little book on my shelf within reach). It’s got water and sailing (both of which I love), but more importantly, it’s also chock-full of life lessons—without being preachy or overbearing. In the end, you realize that you can plot your own course, adapt to the shifts of wind and waves (Bode’s metaphor for life), and become your own hero.

From Christopher's list on The best books for heroes that we can relate to.