We, the navigators
by David Lewis, Derek Oulton · first published 1972
83% recommend17% neutral
Why HN recommends it
In-depth study of traditional Pacific Islander navigation, covering wave reading, stick charts and voyaging boats; recommended as the best starting source for anyone curious about wayfinding without instruments.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
The second edition of David Lewis' classic book on Pacific navigation promises to satisfy yet again scholars and seafarers alike - and all others who have marveled at the ability of island mariners to navigate hundreds of miles of open ocean without instruments. The new edition includes a discussion of theories about traditional methods of navigation developed during the past two decades, the story of the renaissance of star navigation throughout the Pacific, and material about navigation system in Indonesia, Siberia, and the Indian Ocean.
Affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
On this topic I suggest "We,the navigators" by David Lewis.
on “The greatest migration: the history and mystery of Polynesian navigation (2019)” ↗Additional reading if you are interested in the topic of polynesian navigation- We, The Navigators by David Lewis. Highly recommended.
on “The extraordinary story of two Pacific voyages of discovery a 1000 years apart” ↗…sensitive instruments available at the time ... at least one example of which was hanging their balls off the edge of the canoe to see if they could detect a temperature shift. A good book on the subject is We: The Navigators though it draws only from one area. Source: Have a Pacific art collection, have been to most of the major museums on the subject, interested in sailing, authored some of the Wikipedia (featured) articles…
on “Researchers reached the bottom of ice sheet at -2670M after 7 years of drilling” ↗If you found this interesting and want a fascinating book on the subject I recommend We, the Navigators. http://www.amazon.com/We-Navigators-Ancient-Landfinding-Paci... It documents a study done of other Pacific Islanders who use waves to navigate. Hawaii was discovered because islanders observed swells…
on “The Secrets of the Wave Pilots” ↗Another vote (also mentioned in old thread) for the book We, the Navigators. There are also a lot of interesting articles on traditional Polynesian and Micronesian seafaring (including navigation) at the Journal of the Polynesian Society hosted by Auckland University: http://www.jps.auckland.ac.nz…
on “The Secrets of the Wave Pilots (2016)” ↗David Lewis’s book, We the Navigators, provides an in-depth study of polynesian/melanesian/micronesian boats and navigation methods and is the best source I have found on the subject
on “Polynesian DNA suggests epic voyage to South America 800 years ago” ↗Floating is a powerful physical configuration! You get currents plus windspeed. If you're in to this sort of thing, I can recommend The Seacraft of Prehistory, We: The Navigators, and Archaeology of the Boat approximately in that order.
on “France's aircraft carrier located in real time by Le Monde through fitness app” ↗If anyone is interested in this, they should read David Lewis' We, The Navigators, it covers the traditional navigation techniques practiced by Pacific Islanders. Stick charts are covered, but it covers pretty much everything the author possibly could have after sailing around the…
on “Marshall Islands Stick Chart” ↗We, the Navigators by David Lewis is another good book on the topic
on “Reading a Pacific navigator’s mysterious map may require a shift in perspective” ↗What is interesting is that they set out from Puluwat[0], which was the site at which one of the pacific's last master navigators was interviewed by modern anthropologists in We: The Navigators[1]. See the Wa[2] local vessel page I co-authored to front page featured article status on Wikipedia for more details, including the amazing expanse of traditional voyaging. [0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poluwat…
on “Men rescued from Pacific island after writing SOS in sand” ↗…amazon and i have eclectic tastes - i don't have a tv and i don't like reading from electronic devices YMMV. Looking up at my bookcase shelf: Triumph of the City - Glaus, Time Enough for Love - Heinlein, We The Navigators, Strength to Love - Martin Luther King, The Filmmakers Handbook, Schaums's Mathematica, Other People's Wars - Hager, What if?, The Fiery Trial, The Difference Engine, Robert's Rules of Order, The Swerve.…
on “Ask HN: Which book are you reading these days?” ↗