Crossing the Unknown Sea: Work as a Pilgrimage of Identity Paperback – 2 April 2002

Tremendously well described basis for how work can and should fit into my (or your) life, and why. Great examples from the author's own experience, anecdotes, poetry and beautiful prose, and anything else it takes to help me create a picture of where I could be, why that could be a better place, and how I could, slowly or quickly, move in that direction and generally reduce the frictions, stress and conflicts of everyday life. A life-changing book and a pleasant and beautiful read at the same time. Unclear why not in print in the UK!!

excellent book , excellent condition

wise and intelligent reflection but misses the post-feminine influence essential to life as we now encounter it

Don’t just read this book. Savour it. It is written by a poet, but one who does not take himself too seriously. Yet, he is generous in sharing his own experiences… and there are some scary moments for him. I was won over when I learned that due to a family tragedy his mother had to leave Waterford, Ireland, leaving her dreams behind, in order to seek employment abroad. He has a very good grasp of the corporate world and can perceive that speed is so often a symbol of total immobility. He challenges the paternalistic and dualistic structures of work, postulating that our understanding of organisation has been too influenced by the militarism of WW2. His writing is beautiful; many sentences demand a second or third reading. Of particular note are his intuitions on the phases of the day at work, whether that be in the field, factory or office. Finally, he proposes a model of work for the future with a focus on the edges between things. Practical, poetical, rewarding and above all, inspiring. Hope for all workers here.

This was the perfect antidote to my depressive work situation of a dry office job and idiot boss. I love David's writing. I bought quite a few career books but this is the one that really spoke to me - yes it takes a more poetic and philosophical perspective but it restored my drive and determination to pursue my passion and get some meaning back into my life. I particularly enjoyed the accounts of David's personal experiences along the path of his career.

It is not entirely an awful-awful book but it just does not belong in the self-help category. Part autobiographical, part fantasy, part useless bio & quotes of other authors, part advice that does not make sense, part shameless self promotion, part observational semi-fiction, this is truly a bizarre mix of things which often lack little if any direction. I have given this book 2 stars because I felt that start of the book was pretty good - the first few chapters manage to explain and convince how we had a clear idea as kids what we liked, wanted to do and were good at but we somehow managed to lose all of this to become temporarily satisfied with mundane, repetitive 9 to 5 jobs with no direction, appreciation from others or sense of purpose. The author then successfully convinces that life is short and the first step over the cliff needs to be made and that’s the redeeming quality of the book. But sadly, that is all this book offers. The rest are cheesy and highly unbelievable tales of generations looking over you (his mother saved him from a fatal injury at sea because she dreamt about the exact moment where she pulled him out of the water?), “lost wanderers” seeking shelter in the author’s cottage from a storm in Welsh mountains and yet coming up with unbelievable wisdom about life; the author teaching a CEO a lesson (it is never explained how but sounds like a mere mouth-off) at a company where he is a mere junior, and it is so powerful that the CEO ends up resigning... etc etc. The list of bizarre, cheesy, weird, non-relevant thoughts go on, the book ends with the author describing what day and night means, what corporations should do with their employees and expresses some thoughts about GMOs, Michelangelo and generational differences. Why? No one knows. It’s just weird and I am not sure that anyone can honestly say that any of this is nothing else than some strange ramblings of a person who thinks he’s poetic and has something important to say (without the talent to say it clearly). Not sure if it would be worth recommending it to anyone lost in their career and really needing a sound advice on what to do with it all.