Contents

Prologue                                                        

Chapter 1—The Draw of Islands               

  • The ways we look at islands                                 
  • Islands of the imagination                                   
  • Studying islands                              
  • The appeal of Islands                                
  • Identifying as an islander            
  • Shared experiences                                    

Chapter 2—The Perfect Island                   

  • Searching for an island                  
  • Surrounding waters                        
  • Island landscapes                                      
  • The confluence of land and water           
  • Stewardship                                    
  • Other considerations                      

Chapter 3—Sea Room                     

  • Passage making                   
  • The ideal boat                                 
  • Some alternatives                                       
  • Seamanship                                    
  • Safe havens                                      
  • Seafaring                               

Chapter 4—Settling In                                 

  • First steps                                         
  • Choosing a site                                
  • Choosing a design                           
  • Getting organized
  • Building challenges, building pleasures

Chapter 5—On Island Time                        

  • Creature comforts
  • Provisioning                                      
  • Changing seasons                           
  • The unexpected                   
  • On island time                                 

Chapter 6—Connections                 

  • Finding balance                               
  • Island communities                                    
  • Staying in touch                               
  • Earning a living                                

Chapter 7—Not Quite Paradise     

  • Taking care                           
  • Dealing with crises                        
  • Staying healthy                    
  • Stepping away                                  
  • Keeping perspective                       

Chapter 8—The Perfect Islander

Endnotes       

Bibliography      

Index