Celestial Navigation for the Complete Idiot
A Simple Explanation
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Narrated by:
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Gene Grossman
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By:
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Gene Grossman
About this listen
Celestial Navigation for the Complete Idiot is groundbreaking not because of what it has, but what it doesn't have:
- no mathematics problems
- no astronomical talk
- no big words you've never heard of
Sailor-author Gene Grossman finally breaks this wonderful subject down into plain English and explains it in such a way that you will no longer have any excuse to claim that you know nothing about the valuable boater's subject of celestial navigation. And as for the validity of the book's content, you should know that it was inspired by Gene's DVD program of the same title, which has gained worldwide popularity and is being used by the US Navy, DEA, Coast Guard, and sailing schools, and by sailors all over the world.
Even though we feel that the explanations in this audiobook are easy to understand, the old saying about a "picture being worth a thousand words" applies - especially when trying to describe what things like a nautical chart or a world with lines showing latitude and longitude does to help find a destination. So Magic Lamp Press has created a website with a few simple graphics that we suggest that you print out to make reference to occasionally as you listen to this book. The URL of the page of graphics will be given to you by the book's narrator.
Once you have finished this book, its title will no longer apply to you, because by the information you will have learned, your status description will have been updated to "novice." And with an understanding of what celestial navigation is and how it works, you will be in an excellent position to continue your practice of the subject, and become a sailor capable of sailing around the world without getting lost...so as a start, please remember the three most important rules of boating safety: Keep the water out of the boat; keep the people in the boat; and don't get lost.
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In 2007, Roz Savage set out to row 8,000 miles across the Pacific Ocean—alone. Despite having successfully rowed across the Atlantic the previous year, the Pacific presented the former office worker with unprecedented challenges and overpowering currents—both in the water and within herself. Crossing Earth’s largest ocean alone might seem a long way removed from everyday life, yet the lessons Roz learned about the inner journey, the ocean, and the world are relevant to all of us.
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I only listened to 1/3, so maybe it gets better?
- By Brandin on 05-14-14
By: Roz Savage
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Gallant Lady
- A Biography of the USS Archerfish
- By: Don Keith, Ken Henry
- Narrated by: Alan Sklar
- Length: 14 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
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The Archerfish, a diesel powered Balao-class submarine crafted in the 1940s, won a unique, heroic place in military history and the memories of her crew members. Here is her story: from her assembly in New England and her dedication by Eleanor Roosevelt's personal secretary, to her service in World War II, where she broke the back of the Japanese Navy, and her critical role in the Cold War.
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Bilgewater
- By Richard on 04-01-06
By: Don Keith, and others
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Explore/Create
- My Life in Pursuit of New Frontiers, Hidden Worlds, and the Creative Spark
- By: Richard Garriott, David Fisher
- Narrated by: Christopher Grove
- Length: 9 hrs and 21 mins
- Unabridged
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An inventor, adventurer, entrepreneur, collector, and entertainer, and son of legendary scientist-astronaut Owen Garriott, Richard Garriott de Cayeux has been behind some of the most exciting undertakings of our time. A legendary pioneer of the online gaming industry - and a member of every gaming Hall of Fame - Garriott invented the multi-player online game, and coined the term "Avatar" to describe an individual's online character. In this fascinating memoir, Garriott invites listeners on the great adventure that is his life.
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The Modern Day Explorer
- By Elijah on 04-17-17
By: Richard Garriott, and others
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Ninety Percent of Everything
- Inside Shipping, the Invisible Industry That Puts Clothes on Your Back, Gas in Your Car, and Food on Your Plate
- By: Rose George
- Narrated by: Pearl Hewitt
- Length: 9 hrs and 33 mins
- Unabridged
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Rose George, acclaimed chronicler of what we would rather ignore, sails from Rotterdam to Suez to Singapore on ships the length of football fields and the height of Niagara Falls; she patrols the Indian Ocean with an anti-piracy task force; she joins seafaring chaplains and investigates the harm that ships inflict on endangered whales. Sharply informative and entertaining, Ninety Percent of Everything reveals the workings and perils of an unseen world that holds the key to our economy, our environment, and our very civilization.
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I was quite mislead by the title.....
- By Steve on 10-20-17
By: Rose George
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Simple Courage
- The True Story of Peril on the Sea
- By: Frank Delaney
- Narrated by: Frank Delaney
- Length: 9 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
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Drawing on historical documents and contemporary accounts and on exclusive interviews with Carlsen's family, Delaney opens a window into the world of the merchant marine. With deep affection, and respect, for the weather and all that goes with it, he places us in the heart of the storm, a "biblical tempest" of unimaginable power. He illuminates the bravery and ingenuity of Carlsen and the extraordinary courage that the 37-year-old captain inspired in his stalwart crew.
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Well written and read
- By AMS on 03-03-08
By: Frank Delaney
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Expanded Universe, Vol. 2
- By: Robert A. Heinlein
- Narrated by: Bronson Pinchot
- Length: 9 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
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Robert A. Heinlein has been hailed as one of the most forward-thinking science fiction writers of all time, and Expanded Universe (presented in two volumes) offers the perfect collection of his works to provide listeners with true insights into his uniquely creative mind.
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I Nostradamus type warning for today
- By mort on 06-26-18
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Other Side of the Night
- The Carpathia, the Californian and the Night the Titanic Was Lost
- By: Daniel Allen Butler
- Narrated by: Paul Heitsch
- Length: 9 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged
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A few minutes before midnight on April 14, 1912, the "unsinkable" RMS Titanic, on her maiden voyage to New York, struck an iceberg. Less than three hours later she lay at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean. While the world has remained fascinated by the tragedy, the most amazing drama of those fateful hours was not played out aboard the doomed liner. It took place on the decks of two other ships, one 58 miles distant from the sinking Titanic, the other barely 10 miles away.
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The Other Side of the Night
- By Amazon Customer on 04-19-15
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Collision Course
- The Classic Story of the Collision of the Andrea Doria and the Stockholm
- By: Alvin Moscow
- Narrated by: Mel Foster
- Length: 11 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
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One of the largest, fastest, and most beautiful ships in the world, the Andrea Doria was en route to New York from Italy. Departing from the United States was the much smaller Stockholm. On the foggy night of July 25, 1956, 53 miles southeast of Nantucket, the Stockholm sliced through the Doria's steel hull. Within minutes, the sea was pouring into the Italian liner. Eleven hours later, she capsized and sank into the ocean.
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Thorough Account of the Tragedy
- By Admiralu on 10-22-21
By: Alvin Moscow
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Wreck of the Carl D.
- A True Story of Loss, Survival, and Rescue at Sea
- By: Michael Schumacher
- Narrated by: Gary D. MacFadden
- Length: 7 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
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On November 18, 1958, a 623-foot limestone carrier - caught in one of the most violent storms in Lake Michigan history - broke in two and sank in less than five minutes. Four of the 35-person crew escaped to a small raft, to which they clung in total darkness, braving 30-foot waves and frigid temperatures. As the storm raged on, a search-and-rescue mission hunted for survivors, while the frantic citizens of nearby Rogers City, Michigan, anxiously awaited word of their loved ones' fates.
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A harrowing story of survival and loss
- By Ron T on 03-25-16
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Draft No. 4
- On the Writing Process
- By: John McPhee
- Narrated by: John McPhee
- Length: 6 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
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Draft No. 4 is an elucidation of the writer's craft by a master practitioner. In a series of playful but expertly wrought essays, John McPhee shares insights he's gathered over his career and refined during his long-running course at Princeton University, where he has launched some of the most esteemed writers of several generations. McPhee offers a definitive guide to the crucial decisions regarding structure, diction, and tone that shape nonfiction pieces and presents extracts from some of his best-loved work, subjecting them to wry scrutiny.
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McPhee is the Craft
- By Darwin8u on 09-19-17
By: John McPhee
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The Gathering Wind
- Hurricane Sandy, the Sailing Ship Bounty, and a Courageous Rescue at Sea
- By: Gregory A. Freeman
- Narrated by: David Drummond
- Length: 10 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged
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In October 2012, a replica of the famous HMS Bounty, an eighteenth-century tall sailing ship, was on a collision course with a storm that would become the largest hurricane ever recorded in the Atlantic - a clash that would prove dramatic, tragic, perplexing, and ultimately one of the most unforgettable stories of Superstorm Sandy. Crewed by an eclectic team of seafarers, the Bounty was led by Robin Walbridge, their highly respected captain with decades at the helm, whose actions - sometimes questionable - decided the fate of his ship and crew.
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Good.
- By Dan on 08-06-15
What listeners say about Celestial Navigation for the Complete Idiot
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- WD.
- 01-12-19
5 stars except for...
I enjoyed this and would have given it 5 stars except for the 30 or so minutes of the author talking about all the mystery books he wrote. I would have much rather had 30 minutes more of the celestial navigation.
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2 people found this helpful
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- Andy B.
- 12-13-24
Simple and Engaging
I don’t understand why I can download pdf materials for my files from other books, but not from this book; give me an explanation please or a refund.
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- Jerry Chapman
- 07-11-17
Interesting, Author's Story & Technique
Where does Celestial Navigation for the Complete Idiot rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?
In the upper middle. Since this is not a novel, it is hard to compare a guidebook to other audiobooks
What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)
In addition to the theory of navigation, One thing that was unexpected and good was the author's personal story of learning navigation,
Have you listened to any of Gene Grossman’s other performances before? How does this one compare?
no
What insight do you think you’ll apply from Celestial Navigation for the Complete Idiot?
Well, the simple answer is how to use a sextant!
Any additional comments?
Learning celestial navigation is a two-step process: first you have to
learn what a sextant measures, what to measure, why you measure it, what to
do with the measurement, and what the answer tells you – and this audiobook
does a really good job of explaining all of the theory involved in a simple
and easy-to-understand way. Second is the easy part: how to use the sextant
- but it’s also almost impossible to do in an audiobook, because without
being able to look through one, adjust the mirrors, and make some minor
adjustments to the instrument itself, it’s a lot like flying a plane… to
really get to know it you have to physically do it because it’s tough to
describe in a book. This author does a great job with the theory of what it
does and how it works, He also touches upon some things you should know
about using a sextant, so that when you finish this book all you have to do
is find an inexpensive plastic beginner’s sextant and practice, practice,
practice.
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4 people found this helpful
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- Joseph Renzetti
- 06-13-17
Well done
What did you love best about Celestial Navigation for the Complete Idiot?
I've read the readers' comments below, but some of them are about years-old print and eBook versions. I've just listened to this newly-released audio version and it appears to have been updated, so that the previously complex theory of the subject is made extremely understandable - and just the chapter on avoiding seasickness was worth the price of the book.
Any additional comments?
Concerning the author's mention of the mysteries he's also written, he described just a few of them at the end, but there's probably a reason for that: most boaters interested in Celestial Navigation are cruising sailors with plenty of time to listen to books, and mysteries are a popular favorite.
And as for another comment suggesting Bowditch as a good source, yes... he was the accepted expert on the subject, but he wasn't expecting his works to fall into the hands of idiots like me... and even if he did, none of his books are available in an audio format, making this the only one on the subject you can listen to, and I recommend it as a starter if you're interested in the subject.
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2 people found this helpful
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- Rufus Marc
- 06-08-22
Even a Rock could Understand!
Anyone who has even the slightest desire to become better acquainted with Navigating on the open sea; or even those who just want to know how Horatio Hornblower managed to find his way into the Pacific Ocean can learn a lot from this book. The website is still out there with the graphics to download, and the author explains himself so well, that even if you don't have the PDF of the graphics you'll still understand everything he's trying to get across. An Excellent Reference, and just a fun Listen!!
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- Danielle
- 09-18-19
Too confusing
I appreciate that he tried to make a book to make it less confusing to understand celestial navigation, but his explanations sound a bit all over the place. He elaborates too much on a topic like longitude and latitude to the point where you find yourself overthinking it. I stopped at chapter 2
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1 person found this helpful
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- Amazon Customer
- 10-18-20
no pdf on his website anymore
I didnt listen to the whole book yet, but the website he mentions doesnt have the downloadable/printable pdf.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Amazon Customer
- 08-31-23
What happened?
I’m listening to celestial navigation and all of a sudden I’m hearing lawyer stories … what the heck happened??? Seriously! Did I get a bad file or did you - for some reason that escapes me - put celestial navigation and other things i the same file?? I am truly outraged!
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- Anonymous User
- 05-09-24
Title is Misleading
I truthfully feel like I wasted my money . I bought this book wanting to learn about celestial navigation. Maybe 10 percent of the book talks about celestial navigation. In an attempt to make it easier to teach he managed to make the topic more confusing by all his random analogies. The other 80 percent of the book talks about him trying to sell his other material and some intro to sailing stuff which has nothing to do with celestial navigation . Very disappointed with this book. Cash Grab……
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- MikeMontana
- 10-02-18
Some clever "AH! I Got It Now!" moments
The book promises to give you an insight to celestial navigation without the complexity of the maths behind it. It delivers on that promise in 20 minutes. Honestly, some really good insights delivered in a personable, easy to comprehend, colloquial style. He offers any/all useful diagrams on his website for the asking - and honestly, not needed as he explains the visualizations eloquently. But, the other 2.5 hours are not relevant, and detract from the value of the audio book. Hearing about a drive-in-movie date with a near-sighted lady isnt helpful. Nor was a discussion on how to navigate from California to Hawaii. Or how much water the cockpit of his friend's sailboat could discharge per minute. A new edition would do well to drop all the anecdotes, and instead focus on a walk through several practical examples & gotchyas of celestial navigation - a new edition is worth because his style of delivery is good, and the insights are very good. Also, I expected a few plugs for his DVD series - if he cut 1/3rd of the plugs it would feel less 'sales-pushy'.
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3 people found this helpful