I first read this book in high school and it altered my life for the better in more ways than I can count. No, I never bought a schooner and sailed the South Seas. But I did become a writer, and a self-examining and (I hope) more honest one as a result of reading this book. But beyond that is the magic of a life adventurously lived and splendidly told. I have read Wanderer more times than I can count, and each time I am left in awe at Hayden's brutal and ferocious honesty about himself and at his magnificent way with words. It is my favorite book. I hope to read it again several times. ( )

I'm not sure whether I love Sterling Hayden or hate him. I most certainly am confused by him, and yet I feel I understand him at the same time. Just wrapping up Wanderer, his 1963 autobiography, and found it was exciting and exasperating at the time. I started reading the actor's life story because I was interested in his sailing exploits. I got far more than I bargained for. From growing up in a broken home, running away to sea at 16, captaining his own ship by 22, becoming one of Hollywood's "it" stars, joining the Army/Coast Guard/Marine Corps (yes, all three) during WW II, and wandering on a voyage of a lifetime to Tahiti with his children, the book was exhausting. His stream-of-consciousness style took a bit to get used to, as did his time hopping throughout the narrative.

Did I get as much nautical stuff out of it as I wanted? No. Did I learn a lot about the man and what makes him tick? Yes. Did I learn a lot about myself in the process? Absolutely. This book makes you think.

One passage did stand out. Early in the book (Chapter 5), Hayden presents his treatise on voyaging. It is possibly the most inspirational thing I've ever read:

"To be truly challenging, a voyage, like a life, must rest on a firm foundation of financial unrest. Otherwise you are dimmed to a routine traverse, the kind known to yachtsmen who play with their boats at sea--'cruising,' it is called. Voyaging belongs to the seamen, and to the wanderers of the world who cannot, or will not, fit in. If you are contemplating a voyage and you have the means, abandon the venture until your fortunes change. Only then will you know what the sea is all about.

“'I’ve always wanted to sail to the south seas, but I can’t afford it.' What these men can’t afford is not to go. They are enmeshed in the cancerous discipline of 'security.' And in the worship of security we fling our lives beneath the wheels of routine--and before we know it our lives are gone.

"What does a man really need--really need? A few pounds of food each day, heat and shelter, six feet to lie down in--and some form of working activity that will yield a sense of accomplishment. That’s all--in the material sense. And we know it. But we are brainwashed by our economic system until we end up in a tomb beneath a pyramid of time payments, mortgages, preposterous gadgetry, playthings that divert our attention from the sheer idiocy of the charade.

"The years thunder by. The dreams of youth grow dim where they lie caked in dust on the shelves of patience. Before we know it, the tomb is sealed.

"Where, then, lies the answer? In choice. Which shall it be: bankruptcy of purse or bankruptcy of life?"

Recommend this book? Absolutely. Take it in small doses. Only dive in when you have lots of time to think. I guarantee it will make you question your perspective. ( )

I read this while on a ten day sailing trip. Great read, relaxing pace. ( )

Interesting autobiography of a Hollywood actor who quit stardom and sailed to Tahiti with his four young children against a court ruling that he couldn't take them out of the U.S.A. An account of his life from childhood,working on ships,in W.W.ll and as a Hollywood actor. He finally ended up as a writer and turned out some good books. ( )