The Jason Voyage: The Quest for the Golden Fleece

In this book Tim Severin recounts his search for the truth behind the legend of the Golden Fleece and the fabulous voyage of Jason and the Argonauts to retrieve it.The reader is taken on two journeys, the ancient voyage of Jason, the Greek hero, and the modern recreation. We see the construction of an authentic greek galley of the period, and share in Severins trials as he and his crew learn the peculiarities of the craft.Then we journey with him from the Aegean sea through the Bosphorous into the Black sea all the way to Georgia. There we learn about the tradition of laying sheep fleeces in the rivers to catch the gold deposited from sources upstream, the source of the legend of the "golden fleece".A lovely travelogue of Greece, Modern Turkey and Georgia. A great book on ancient sailing, and a good read for the curious.

Reading Jason's Voyage was a big thrill for me. I grew up in the Bosphorus and have sailed in the Agean Sea, Sea of Marmara and the Black Sea and that was with a motored yatch. Having experienced those seas I can tell you one thing. What Tim Severin did is truly amazing. I was only five years old at the time of his journey and having read the book some 15 years later made wish that I was older at that time to row along with the crew. I'd reccommend this book to any person who is adventure minded. I am looking forward to reading his other adventure stories and I hope that you will too. It really is time well spent!!.

I just finished reading The Jason Voyage by Tim Severin, which I picked up in the "discard" pile at our local library for 50 cents. Ever a fan of sea adventures, and having read Mr. Severin's "The Brendan Voyage" a couple of years ago, I just couldn'r resist picking up "The Jason Voyage". To say it was a bargain at 50 cents is a vast understatement! It is a rousing, riveting tale. I got blisters on my hands just from reading it! As always, Tim Severin puts you in the "driver's seat" so to speak. One could easily feel every agonizing oar stroke as the crew of the modern day replica of Jason's Argo struggled across the Agean and against the mighty currents of the Bosphorous to the Black Sea. To row a Bronze Age Greek Galley 1500 miles is definately a Herculean feat to say the least and not a voyage for the faint of heart! As with "The Brendan Voyage", where Severin and crew sailed a leather skinned, medieval Irish currah across the North Atlantic to Newfoundland, one gets a great deal of insight as to why someone would want to recreate these seemingly insane voyages in marginally seaworthy vessels. Alas, Mr. Severin once again proves that ancient people's were neither foolhardy, nor technologically backward and succeeds in infecting you with his own particular brand of madness. You finish the book, feeling that you were along for the ride, and wishing that you had been. Where do I sign on for your next voyage Tim?