Contents

Introduction

1. Author’s Note to the Paperback Edition

2. Prologue: London, July 1945

PART I: GREEN

1. A Top Hat, a Clean Collar, and Clean Boots, 1850–1900

2. Walden, 1914–1922

3. The Pen Mightier than the Pain, 1923–1930

PART II: RED

4. Beasts Royal, 1930–1934

5. Catching Lightning in a Jar, 1934–1939

6. Blood, Sweat, Toil, and Tears, 1940–1943

7. An Irishman Is Born, 1943–1946

PART III: SLATE

8. The Last Approach to the Mansion of Pluto, 1946–1947

9. Moelwyn Bank, 1948–1949

PART IV: AZURE

10. The Last Stronghold of Poets and Painters, 1949–1953

11. The Catalans, 1953–1955

12. Voyaging with Commodore Anson, 1955–1959

13. Temple and Beauvoir, 1960–-1966

14. Master and Commander, 1967–1969

15. An Epic Is Launched, 1970–1973

16. Becoming Picasso, 1973–1976

PART V: DEEP BLUE

17. At Sea Again, 1976–1978

18. Writing with Stunsails Aloft and Alow, 1978–1984

19. Singing of Sir Joseph, 1985–1986

20. Sailing in the Trade Winds, 1987–1990

PART VI: GOLD

21. The Best Writer You Never Heard Of? 1990–1992

22. The Wages of Fame, 1993–1994

23. The Commodore’s Second Triumphal Tour, 1995–1996

24. A Night of Honor, October 11, 1996

Epilogue

Selected Bibliography

Acknowledgments

Index