Sailing Against the Tide

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Sailing Against the Tide

by Cindy Burkart Maynard (Author)

She crossed oceans disguised as a boy.

History forgot her-but now her story demands to be told.

In 1766, Jeanne Baret, a brilliant herbalist from rural France, defied every expectation of her time. Disguised as a boy to escape the restrictions placed on women.

She joins a global expedition led by explorer Louis de Bougainville and her mentor, the botanist Philibert Commerson.

Aboard L'Étoile, Jeanne faces grueling sea voyages, the constant threat of discovery, and the burden of a secret that could cost her everything. But with every plant she gathers and every mile she sails, she proves that courage and intellect know no gender.

Based on the astonishing true story of the first woman to circumnavigate the globe, Jeanne Baret is a sweeping tale of resilience, adventure, and a woman who dared to chart her own course through history.

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REVIEWS OF Sailing Against the Tide

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What struck me immediately was how intimate Jeanne’s childhood feels. The opening scenes in La Comelle naming the hens, learning herbs from Auntie Juliette, sleeping curled against her sister are small details, but they made Jeanne feel achingly real. By the time her father dies, I wasn’t just reading history; I was grieving with her. This book understands that great lives begin in ordinary hardship.

Jeanne Baret’s transformation from a hungry herb girl to a confident botanical mind is written with so much patience and respect. The scenes after her father’s death, when she realizes she cannot survive alone on the farm, are quietly devastating. Her decision to sell herbs and become the herb woman felt like the first step toward destiny not romance, not adventure, but survival.

The dynamic between Jeanne and Philibert Commerson is one of the most fascinating parts of the book. Their first meeting on the hillside her hunger, his arrogance, the dropped basket perfectly sets the tone. I loved how their relationship evolved from necessity to mutual respect. Jeanne never becomes a subordinate she becomes a collaborator.

Well-researched historical fiction! Quick and enjoyable read with lots of historical, geographical and cultural context woven into the story. I love a story that spurs more curiosity, and this is definitely that. Get ready to wiki/google far flung locations and rare tropical plants.

As someone interested in plants, I was blown away by the accuracy and reverence given to herbal knowledge. The way Jeanne understands plant communities, seasonal harvesting, and medicinal use goes far beyond surface level research. The scenes where she records observations in her notebook made me realize how much uncredited scientific knowledge women carried and lost to history.

What stayed with me was how clearly the book shows class divisions without preaching. Jeanne’s embarrassment over her food, Philibert’s oblivious privilege, and the quiet shame of poverty are portrayed with restraint and honesty. The lunch scene where he shares his feast with her says more about inequality than pages of exposition ever could.

GOOD READS REVIEWS

I didn’t plan to read this book all at once because my time was limited, but once I started Sailing Against the Tide, I found myself thinking about it even when I put it down. Cindy Burkart Maynard writes Jeanne Baret’s story with a quiet strength that feels very real and very human. What drew me in immediately was how personal the opening felt, like I was stepping into Jeanne’s world rather than reading history. The way the author describes Jeanne’s curiosity and intelligence made me admire her from the start. As the story moved toward the voyage, I felt a mix of excitement and anxiety for her, knowing what she was risking. The sea scenes held my attention because they focused on endurance rather than exaggeration. I appreciated how the book showed Jeanne’s emotional resilience alongside her physical courage. Even when I had to stop reading, I kept thinking about what might happen next. This is a story about determination, but it’s also about being unseen and still pressing forward. Maynard’s writing made me feel respect rather than pity for Jeanne. By the end, I felt grateful that this story was told with such care. This is a thoughtful book by a skilled author. I truly enjoyed it and admired it.

FIVE STAR REVIEW

I picked up Sailing Against the Tide during a busy period, expecting to read only a few pages at a time, but the story pulled me in faster than I expected. Cindy Burkart Maynard has a gentle but confident way of telling Jeanne Baret’s story. I was especially moved by how Jeanne’s intelligence and love for plants were treated as real power, not background details. The book made me slow down and pay attention, which doesn’t happen often. I felt Jeanne’s fear, but also her resolve, especially as the voyage became more dangerous. The writing never felt rushed, even when the stakes were high. I liked how the author focused on Jeanne’s inner world as much as the journey itself. It made her feel like someone I could know, not just a historical figure. The story kept reminding me how many women’s contributions have been overlooked. That idea stayed with me after I finished reading. This book doesn’t shout its message, but it’s very clear and strong. I respect the care Maynard put into telling this story. It’s a beautiful and meaningful read.