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Jackie Parry
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Of Foreign Build: From Corporate Girl to Sea-Gypsy Woman Kindle Edition

by Jackie Parry (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 out of 5 stars 601 ratings
After suffering an emotionally-brutal bereavement and against her counsellor’s advice, Jackie ran away. Suddenly within a new culture, with a new husband, and no friends, she was living in the obscure world of cruising with zero knowledge of boats. Crashing within the first twenty-four hours, Jackie realised life would never be the same again; a floating home with no fridge or hot water, and with a dinghy instead of a car. Suffering self doubts, she became fearful of her new world. The first off-shore voyage took Jackie into a ferocious storm, which battered her physically and mentally. Amid the raging seas, Jackie shed the fear she’d been harbouring. Soon she was blissfully voyaging around the world, but she still carried the mixed emotions of losing one man, while falling head over heels in love with another. Not only did Jackie deal successfully with the challenges of her new existence, she also battled with the testosterone fuelled nautical world to become both a professional captain and a qualified maritime teacher. Most importantly, Jackie found herself.
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  1. Print length
    368 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    October 30, 2014
  4. File size
    3.0 MB
  5. Page Flip
    Enabled
  6. Word Wise
    Enabled
  7. Enhanced typesetting
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"..this book should appeal to anyone who enjoys a heart-warming adventure." Cruising Helmsman Magazine

From the Author

Of Foreign Build took me fifteen years to write (part-time). The joy in producing a story that is helping men and women in their lives - today, is extraordinary. I've received many messages saying my story is so much more than a memoir. More recently I received an email from a lady who told me how Of Foreign Build has helped her through a bereavement and it is the first book in a year that she has been able to finish. I do hope you enjoy it too. I am working on my next book. It's the story of Noel (my husband) and I trekking along part of the Bicentennial National Trail in Australia, with five horses, a tent and not much else. This extraordinary journey turned scared, blinkered horses into magnificent 'war' horses - meanwhile Noel and I suffered and were not as successful as we thought we'd be. A percentage of proceeds will be donated to the Horse Charity who rescued our boys - and allowed us to adopt them. Please do drop me a line - I enjoy helping other authors and engaging with readers.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00OQBWJJE
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ (October 30, 2014)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 30, 2014
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 3.0 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 368 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 0987551531
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 601 ratings

About the author

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Jackie Parry

Jackie Parry

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Jackie now supports & trains everyone on the water: https://linktr.ee/SisterShipTraining

Jackie returned to Australia after exploring the French canals on a Dutch barge with her Australian husband.

Originally from the UK, Jackie is now an adopted Australian. She grew up with horses in the UK until her world was shattered with a heartbreaking bereavement. Disillusioned with life, she ran away to Australia and met and married Noel (within just a few months!). They decided to buy a boat and set sail. So within her first year living in a foreign land, she was getting used to a foreign husband and a foreign life on board!

Mariah II took Jackie & Noel around the world. Pyewacket II (purchased in San Francisco) took them across the Pacific Ocean for a second time on a more southerly route. Adventures include The Great Loop in the USA plus Canada’s Great Lakes and the French Canals.

Between boats they adopted 5 standardbred horses and set off into the Australian bush with just the horses and their gear on their backs... "an extraordinary experience."

Their last boat was a motorboat - a long story (well a short one really) but keep following to see what new plans they have!

Jackie & Noel spent three years on a 1920s Dutch Bunker barge, which they completely renovated while exploring France and Belgium.

As a commercial captain Jackie has worked internationally, and has been a Marine Rescue skipper. She has also taught commercial maritime. She co-wrote a pilot book (in America) and several hundred magazine articles worldwide. Cruisers' AA (accumulated acumen) was Jackie (and Noel's) first self-published book. She now runs her own training company for recreational and commercial boaters, called SisterShip Training.

New Street Communications Publishers has picked up most of Jackie's books and released audio versions.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
601 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book to be a delightful real-life adventure story that's easy to read and entertaining. The writing style is well-crafted, with one customer noting how the author writes with absolute honesty about sailing. Moreover, customers appreciate the book's authenticity and how it incorporates the author's inner thoughts, with one review specifically highlighting its insights into living aboard a sailboat. Additionally, the book receives praise for its amazing journey around the world and its humor, while customers find it inspiring and informative.

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57 customers mention "Enjoyment"57 positive0 negative

Customers find the book enjoyable, describing it as a fun escape that takes readers on a fantastic journey around the world.

"...I thought there was a perfect mix of detail about the boat, day-to-day sailing, difficulties encountered (some very unusual), adventures on sea and..." Read more

"...were a few typos missed in the editing process, but all in all a great read, highly recommended especially if you love travel." Read more

"...Although sailing around the world is a huge achievement, what stands out in Jackie Parry's book is her brave honest words which delve into her..." Read more

"...This book is simply a good read! :)" Read more

37 customers mention "Writing style"34 positive3 negative

Customers praise the writing style of the book, finding it easy to read and interesting enough to read straight through. One customer notes that the author writes with absolute honesty about sailing.

"...First, the writing was fabulous; the author has a gift for making the reader feel present for the events, and it was never boring...." Read more

"...The author has an easy conversational style, and the story moves along quickly with many interesting events and a number of harrowing experiences...." Read more

"...Beautifully written with honesty, humour and love for all living creatures on this planet. She is an example to women that anything is possible...." Read more

"...All in all, she tells her story well, not with overly-wrought phrasing and a self-conscious tone but in a way that feels natural and totally genuine..." Read more

35 customers mention "Story quality"35 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy this lovely real-life adventure story about a circumnavigation, describing it as a delightful vicarious read.

"...Lots of cultural information made for a very interesting and educational read...." Read more

"...conversational style, and the story moves along quickly with many interesting events and a number of harrowing experiences...." Read more

"This is a splendid memoir of more than just a voyage around the world...." Read more

"I thoroughly enjoyed reading the author's account of circumnavigating the world with her husband in a small sailboat...." Read more

26 customers mention "Inspirational read"26 positive0 negative

Customers find the book inspiring and informative, with one customer noting it has heart and another mentioning it has energy in the words.

"...Lots of cultural information made for a very interesting and educational read...." Read more

"...This book will inspire you to keep the dream alive and just do it!! Thank you Jackie for helping me to believe in my dream...." Read more

"Interesting story of voyages and impact on the authors life...." Read more

"...This author gives a detail of all the people she meets and gives a lot of history about the places she visited as well as descriptions of the people..." Read more

14 customers mention "Insight"14 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's insight, with one customer noting how it incorporates inner thoughts and another highlighting its detailed portrayal of people met during the journey.

"...on sea and on land, scary or challenging encounters, and relationships with family (back home, but occasionally present for parts of the trip), and..." Read more

"...I enjoyed the mundane details of life at sea and the descriptions of various cultural differences...." Read more

"...in Jackie Parry's book is her brave honest words which delve into her emotions and thoughts...." Read more

"...Right from the first few pages you sense her genuine self, and that is a great thing because surely many readers - sailors or not - can relate to..." Read more

8 customers mention "Travel value"8 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the travel aspect of the book, describing it as an amazing journey around the world, with one customer noting how well the author balances the travel and sailing elements.

"...Parry balanced the travel and sailing element perfectly...." Read more

"...Jackie takes the reader into the depths of their lives , and takes us ocean cruising, exactly the way it is...." Read more

"What an amazing journey around the world--one that many of us can ever make...." Read more

"...I felt like a world traveler, going along for the trips...." Read more

7 customers mention "Humor"7 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's humor, with one noting it is liberally dosed with wit, though some find it sad.

"...Beautifully written with honesty, humour and love for all living creatures on this planet. She is an example to women that anything is possible...." Read more

"...This is all done with a self deprecating sense of humor and humble self awareness...." Read more

"...In fact, Parry’s writing was excellent throughout, liberally dosed with wit, humor, and above all, honesty...." Read more

"...The book is sad, funny, exciting and I loved reading about their adventures...." Read more

6 customers mention "Authenticity"6 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the authenticity of the book.

"...Beautifully written with honesty, humour and love for all living creatures on this planet. She is an example to women that anything is possible...." Read more

"...and a self-conscious tone but in a way that feels natural and totally genuine...." Read more

"...excellent throughout, liberally dosed with wit, humor, and above all, honesty...." Read more

"...I found this story to be truly genuine, which is the only thing, in my opinion, that defines a successful autobiographical tale...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • zzz
    5.0 out of 5 stars A rich, enjoyable, exciting and educational read. Great writing; perfect editing.
    Reviewed in the United States on March 19, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    I've read a number of nonfiction books and memoirs about sailing, most very good reads. "Of Foreign Build..." was an exceptional story in many ways. First, the writing was fabulous; the author has a gift for making the reader feel present for the events, and it was never boring. I thought there was a perfect mix of detail about the boat, day-to-day sailing, difficulties encountered (some very unusual), adventures on sea and on land, scary or challenging encounters, and relationships with family (back home, but occasionally present for parts of the trip), and friendships developed along the way. Lots of cultural information made for a very interesting and educational read.

    The thing that stood out most about this particular "sailing around the world" story was the route taken. This couple was not just sailing around the world in order to accomplish the feat. Although, of course, they had to plan and take into consideration the season and the local weather, they sailed to some very unlikely places. I was shocked that they were willing to venture into waters and countries with aggressive policies toward people (their own and visitors), and even into waters where pirates were a risk. Beyond that, they sailed routes I've never read about in other accounts of long-distance sailing. I was very glad I didn't know where they would head next, and enjoyed the surprises. So, no spoilers from me.

    What a pleasure to read a great book, so well-written and so perfectly edited.
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  • DanV
    4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable trip around the world
    Reviewed in the United States on March 22, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Really enjoyed reading Jackie and Noel's story. I'll likely never experience circumnavigating the world on a sailing vessel, and I was able to vicariously participate in their adventures as I read. The author has an easy conversational style, and the story moves along quickly with many interesting events and a number of harrowing experiences. I enjoyed the mundane details of life at sea and the descriptions of various cultural differences. At times the narrative shifted abruptly and I found it hard to follow. And there were a few typos missed in the editing process, but all in all a great read, highly recommended especially if you love travel.
    Helpful
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  • Linda Anderson
    5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully written memoir
    Reviewed in the United States on November 15, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    This is a splendid memoir of more than just a voyage around the world. Although sailing around the world is a huge achievement, what stands out in Jackie Parry's book is her brave honest words which delve into her emotions and thoughts. I was connected on a deeper level throughout her book riding the highs and lows of Mariah's voyage interwoven with captivating descriptions of both the watery world and fascinating ports. It was an honour for me to be part of Jackie's life in this book - her personal relationships and how she coped with the brand new challenges of sailing a small boat.

    Reading Jackie's words, I drifted and sailed through the chapters just like the waves enjoying each port along the way. Beautifully written with honesty, humour and love for all living creatures on this planet. She is an example to women that anything is possible. Now a master captain with so much experience I take my hat off to her. I highly recommend this book.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Lewis P.
    5.0 out of 5 stars How to sail around the world without a refrigerator!
    Reviewed in the United States on July 3, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    I thoroughly enjoyed reading the author's account of circumnavigating the world with her husband in a small sailboat. I have read books by other authors who have sailed around the world, some single-handed, some non-stop, but Parry's rich descriptions of the places visited along the way allows the reader to come along for the ride, so to speak. The reader is able to share the author's experiences, both good and bad, with the many different people, places, and customs they encountered on their voyage around the world.

    The author also offers her perspective of how choosing to shed the trappings of life on land began a seven year transformation of her life while at sea. The journey was not always easy, but the sum of her experiences changed her life in a profound and positive way.

    The author avoided an abundance of esoteric sailing language, so the reader who may not be fully versed in nautical terms can follow along smoothly without flipping to the glossary often in order to understand what is going on.

    This book is simply a good read! :)
    One person found this helpful
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  • Mik Hetu, Author
    4.0 out of 5 stars A lot of heart in this book: you share not just her experience living on a sailboat but also voyaging through life!
    Reviewed in the United States on November 24, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    I like this book! There's a saying something like, "Either write a book about a life lived well, or live your life well enough to have a book written about it." Well, Jackie Parry is one of those rare souls who has done both. She opens up and candidly tells her life story, metaphorical warts and all. Right from the first few pages you sense her genuine self, and that is a great thing because surely many readers - sailors or not - can relate to her self-doubts and fears. But don't worry: she doesn't go on and on about heartaches and ruminations. No, she mentions these things because they are part of the story and then she moves on, often with soft humor. All in all, she tells her story well, not with overly-wrought phrasing and a self-conscious tone but in a way that feels natural and totally genuine. The book is not about her, or her writing, but her story, and it shows between the lines.

    I recommend this book for everyone, especially young women who have not yet found their niche in life. Jackie Parry's life story is a great example of possibility and personal courage. This book is great fodder for important mother-daughter talks . . . On the surface it's about building a life aboard a sailboat, but it's also very much about voyaging through life.
    5 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Deb McEwan (Multi-genre author)
    5.0 out of 5 stars Just Brilliant!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 14, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    It takes a certain type of courage to leave behind the familiar, travel to the other side of the world and embark on a totally new lifestyle. Following a tragic bereavement this is exactly what Jackie Parry did. The result? An adventure on the high seas that tested her physical and emotional strength to the limit!
    This extremely well-written book takes the reader on Jackie’s personal journey where she grows both as a person and a sailor. The fabulous descriptions transport you to the wonderful (and not so wonderful) parts of the world on her day to day travels. Peppered with humour and tragedy this book will make you laugh out loud one minute and cry the next. I would recommend this book to readers of both fiction and non-fiction. In fact if Jackie Parry decided to write fiction I’ve no doubt that her books would be best-sellers!
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  • anne spires
    5.0 out of 5 stars fascinating
    Reviewed in Australia on July 18, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Loved this book Jackie;written so honestly (down to earth,surrounded by water,,ha ha )and descriptive. What an amazing adventurous couple so inspiring to just follow your dream .so much knowledge contained within,I will be re reading often,thank you
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  • Rolande
    5.0 out of 5 stars I have just finished "Of Foreign Build" and so enjoyed it! Jackie is an amazing writer with an ...
    Reviewed in Canada on May 14, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    I have just finished "Of Foreign Build" and so enjoyed it! Jackie is an amazing writer with an amazing story to tell. She is truly the embodiment of *The Yes You Can* movement. She stepped right out of her comfort zone to go sailing and then became the Master Mariner. I so admire her zest for life and am so glad she is willing to share her stories. Her descriptive writing made me feel that I was in Borneo holding hands with an orangutan and sailing up the Red Sea with her on the lookout for pirates and swimming with playful sea lions on Galapagos and on and on right around the world on Mariah II. I highly recommend this book.
    Yeah Noel! You have a good one there!
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  • Glee
    4.0 out of 5 stars A book for all ages
    Reviewed in Australia on March 6, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    A great adventure vividly told with honesty and humour. She is an inspiration for all.
    Well worth buying and keeping for reference or self dreaming.
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  • Lulu
    5.0 out of 5 stars A must read book.
    Reviewed in Canada on March 10, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Loved the book. Never a boring moment. Fascinating to read about the countries, the islands, the people, the food. The ocean and its moods. The nature descriptions - flora and fauna - are particularly interesting. The author is truly talented in describing feelings and situations, i.e. the encounter with sea lions and the baby whale, the swimming in the caves etc. So much to read about, "see and feel" in this book. Jackie's love for her "home"; the special relationship with her husband. A must read book.
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