Pastore, Christopher 1975- (Chris Pastore)

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Pastore, Christopher 1975- (Chris Pastore)

PERSONAL:

Born April 2, 1975, in Providence, RI; son of Ferdinando (an educator and administrator) and Karen Pastore; married Susan S. Detwiler (a teacher), 2001. Education: Bowdoin College, B.A., 1997; New School for Social Research, M.F.A., 2003.

ADDRESSES:

Home—Dover, NH. Agent—Daniel Mandel, Sanford J. Greenburger Associates, 55 5th Ave., New York, NY 10003.

CAREER:

Freelance writer. New School for Social Research, part-time creative writing faculty.

AWARDS, HONORS:

National Arts Club annual award, 2003, for nonfiction.

WRITINGS:

Temple to the Wind: The Story of America's Greatest Naval Architect and His Masterpiece, Reliance, Lyons Press (Guilford, CT), 2005.

Contributor to periodicals, including Sailing World, Boat International, Cruising World, Offshore, Newport Life, and Real Simple. Editor of American Sailor and Junior Sailor. Associate editor of Sailing World.

SIDELIGHTS:

Christopher Pastore is an American freelance writer. A native of Rhode Island, Pastore is an avid sailboating and racing fan. Pastore was educated at Bowdoin College and New York's New School for Social Research. He served as an editor for and general contributor to a number of periodicals on sailing.

Pastore published his first book, Temple to the Wind: The Story of America's Greatest Naval Architect and His Masterpiece, Reliance, in 2005. The book tells the story of the Reliance, a ship built in Rhode Island in 1903 that went on to win the America's Cup. Designed by Nathanael Herreshoff, known as the "Wizard of Bristol" for his naval architectural talents, the Reliance is considered to be the pinnacle of sail design at the end of the sailing era. With a topsail yard 190 feet above the water and sails stretching 202 feet from the boom's end to the bowsprit, the Reliance was more sail than ship, it was joked. In an article in Bristol, Rhode Island's East Bay, Pastore commented: "This book, it's not just about a boat. This is more about the people, namely Nathanael Herreshoff, and his evolution as a naval architect and how it culminated in one boat in 1903." As for Herreshoff, Pastore maintained that "he was a pure genius. He was years ahead of other designers."

George Cohen, writing in Booklist, presumed that readers would already know "that Reliance will win the race, but they will want to be onboard all the way." In a TownDock.net review, Carol Standish labeled the book "a different kettle of fish," calling it "a narrowly focused, well-researched account." Standish projected that the book would be "mildly interesting" for nonsailors. She thought, however, that experienced sailors and racers would find the account to be nothing short of "fascinating," adding that "Pastore's prose is serviceable." Standish did comment, however, that "what's missing are photographs." Standish recounted how in the book Pastore "describes photographs he's seen" while compiling his research, but did not include more than eight pages worth of photographs for the account. This approach, Standish mentioned, "only serves to make the reader feel like a pauper begging for more," adding that it brought about a certain "crankiness" while reading the book. William H. Thiesen, reviewing Temple to the Wind in History: Review of New Books, noted that "Pastore's book is well researched and artfully written." Thiesen indicated that the glossary is "comprehensive" and the bibliography "extensive." Thiesen thought the book has "a polished look and the work incorporates many interesting photographs." Thiesen proposed that "the beauty of this book is that it can hold the attention" of both yacht racing enthusiasts as well as people interested in naval architecture. Thiesen concluded that he "would recommend Temple to the Wind" for its look into the history of the America's Cup competition.

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

Booklist, September 1, 2005, George Cohen, review of Temple to the Wind: The Story of America's Greatest Naval Architect and His Masterpiece, Reliance, p. 35.

East Bay (Bristol, RI), August 30, 2005, Josh Bickford, "New Book Tells of Bristol Legend Nathanael Herreshoff."

History: Review of New Books, winter, 2006, William H. Thiesen, review of Temple to the Wind, p. 41.

Sail, March, 2006, David Schmidt, review of Temple to the Wind, p. 111.