Maritime history Books

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Book SynopsisIn the tradition of Dava Sobel''s Longitude' comes sailing expert David Barrie''s compelling and dramatic tale of invention and discovery an eloquent elegy to one of the most important navigational instruments ever created, and the daring mariners who used it to explore, conquer, and map the world.This is the dramatic story of an instrument that changed history. Built around David Barrie's own transatlantic passage using the very same navigational tools as Captain Cook, Sextant tells how one of the most vital navigational instruments was invented and used and why the golden age of celestial navigation has now come to an end. From Cook, Bligh and Vancouver to Bougainville, La Pérouse, Flinders and FitzRoy, Barrie recounts the fortunes of the explorers who risked their lives in charting the Pacific, as well as the intrepid adventures of Slocum, Shackleton and Worsley. A heady mix of history, science and adventure, this elegy to a lost technology is infused with the wonder of discovery Trade Review‘As lovingly and painstakingly constructed as the navigators’ one irreplaceable talisman, this exquisite book is a hymn to a now-vanishing feature of maritime life, a finely-chased reminder of just how much we all owe to that one small piece of apparatus, its verniers and lenses kept secure in a mahogany box, closed by a hasp of brass’ Simon Winchester ‘Barrie’s writing is exhilarating and suffused with a sense of adventure. A fascinating read’ Financial Times ‘What gives Sextant its special colour is Barrie’s own experience as a sailor … His book is an elegy for the days before GPS made simultaneous geniuses and idiots of us all … He invites anyone near the sea, and above all on a boat, to turn away from their screens and look around’ Daily Express ‘A bracing historical tale’ The Times ‘An excellent present for anyone even vaguely interested in thestars, or the history of exploration, or sailing small boats overbig oceans, or come to think of it anyone at all. And buy a copyfor yourself while you’re about it’ Marine Quarterly ‘A joy to read … one of the most interesting and enjoyable books I’ve read in years’ Flying Fish, magazine of the Ocean Cruising Club

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Book SynopsisIn the depths of Antarctic winter, hundreds of miles from land or rescue, a small fishing boat is swallowed by waves as high as houses. The captain is fatally slow to act, and then paralyzed by fear. The officers flee for their lives. Only the actions of Matt Lewis, a 23-year-old British marine biologist and one of the most inexperienced men aboard, will save the lives of the South African crew.Lewis is the last man off the sinking boat, and leads the escape onto three life rafts. There the battle for survival begins.Trade ReviewThis is brilliant . . Told with terrifying detail and heartfelt compassion -- Dermot O'LearyA story that reminds us of the unforgiving nature of the sea and the courage that lies within the everyday heroes that have found themselves in hell -- Bear GryllsA dramatic tale of survival in one of the most brutal situations on earth. Feels like reading the diary of a doomed man . . . so personal and chillingly real; totally takes you there in a way that is not always comfortable -- Steve BackshallReads like a sinister version of The Perfect Storm...Thrilling, compelling, unsettling, rewarding . . . This breakneck race of a book isn't just required reading for fans of waterborne peril; Harvard MBAs could also scour the pages as a case study in dysfunctional workplaces and woeful man management. It's like the Perfect Storm, but with gruesomely, even murderously, imperfect people * Sunday Times *A heart-thumping tale of tragedy and survival - minus the Hollywood ending * Daily Telegraph *A thrilling, horrifying and compelling portrait of human survival. Colossal terror unfolds on every page * The Bookseller, Books of the Year *For his compelling account of the hardships of fishing in remote Antarctic waters, and of what it means to abandon ship in a severe storm with inadequate equipment and a crew unprepared for survival. The book is objective but non-judgmental in its descriptiveness, so heightening the true sense of disaster. The style makes the book accessible to a wide public, but it is also essential reading for seafarers, fishermen and yachtsmen, as it concerns attitudes to safety and survival. A truly life-affirming and influential work. * The Mountbatten Maritime Award for best literary contribution - Certificate of Merit *

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Book SynopsisAn extraordinary collection of interviews with lighthouse keepers and their families, in their own words - a record of a vanished profession and avanished Britain of the 1970s. Described by William Golding as one of the mostfascinating social documents I have ever read. It captures the delights and downfalls of isolation, the mindgames it plays on ordinary people and theromance of the outer reaches of Britain.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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Book SynopsisAn engaging and informative first-hand account of the last grain race' of maritime history, from respected travel writer Eric Newby.In 1939, a young Eric Newby later renowned as a travel writer of exceptional talent set sail aboard Moshulu, the largest sailing ship still employed in the transportation of grain from Australia to Europe. Every year from 1921 to 1939, the vessels involved in the grain trade would strive to find the shortest, fastest passage home the grain race' in the face of turbulent seas, atrocious weather conditions and hard graft.First published in 1956, The Last Grain Race', featuring many photographs from the author's personal collection, celebrates both the spirit of adventure and the thrill of sailing on the high seas. Newby's first-hand account engaging and informative, with frequent bursts of humour and witty observations from both above and below deck chronicles this classic sailing voyage of the Twenties and Thirties, and records the last grain race of Trade Review‘Enthralling – I know of no other book about square-riggers that gives such a lively account of the daily round of men in the fo’c’sle’ Sunday Times ‘Indescribably pungent … impossible to read without laughing’ Observer ‘Mr Newby proves himself to be a first-rate writer … Years have dulled nothing of the spirit of his first voyage; he gives exactly the feel of working a tall ship in hard conditions; he did not just see these things; he felt and can convey them; the crew of “Moshulu” live, move and are real human beings – and go on living when the book is closed’ Times Literary Supplement

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Book SynopsisWinner of the Longman''s History Today Book of the Year Award and the inaugural Westminster Medal for Military Literature More than a century had gone by since the Battle of Trafalgar. Generation after generation of British naval captains had been dreaming ever since of a ''new'' Trafalgar - a cataclysmic encounter which would decisively change a war''s outcome. At last, in the summer of 1916, they thought their moment had come...Andrew Gordon''s extraordinary, gripping book brilliantly recreates the atmosphere of the British navy in the years leading up to Jutland and gives a superb account of the battle itself and its bitterly acrimonious aftermath.

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Book SynopsisThis book looks to fill the blue hole' in Global History by studying the role of the oceans themselves in the creation, development, reproduction and adaptation of knowledge across the Atlantic world. It shows how globalisation and the growth of maritime knowledge served to reinforce one another, and demonstrates how and why maritime history should be put firmly at the heart of global history. Exploring the dynamics of globalisation, knowledge-making and European expansion, Global Ocean of Knowledge takes a transnational approach and transgresses the traditional border between the early modern and modern periods. It focuses on three main periodisations, which correspond with major transformations in the globalisation of the Atlantic World, and analyses how and to what extent globalisation forces from above and from below influenced the development and exchange of knowledge. Davids distinguishes three forms of globalising forces from above'; imperial, commercial and religious, alTrade ReviewThis third volume focuses on the Atlantic world, detailing the factors driving globalization and the development, spread, and growth of knowledge and technology—but with a continuous focus on the effect of the maritime environment on how specific knowledge and technologies developed ... This work is a valuable addition to scholarship on the Atlantic world and globalization studies. * CHOICE *The study is based on a broad source [of] literature base and stands out positively from the work of numerous Anglo-Saxon historians ... Global Ocean of Knowledge is an excellent overview and reference work for all those interested in the history of ... the Atlantic world. * Zeitschrift fur Historische Forschung (Bloomsbury Translation) *Karel Davids has written a landmark book about globalization, maritime history, knowledge making, and the experience of Europeans at sea. * James E. McClellan III, Professor Emeritus, Stevens Institute of Technology, USA *‘I am impressed by the ambition, breadth of coverage and scholarly depth of the work, and welcome the specific aim of instilling a long overdue maritime element into the wider literature on globalization, global history and Atlantic history. Reading the introduction and conclusion before delving into the core six chapters, the historiographical contribution and argument of the book are well laid out and persuasive.’ * David J Starkey, Wilson Family Professor of Maritime History, University of Hull, UK *'[This is] an excellent manuscript by an outstanding scholar about the creation, development, reproduction and adaptation of knowledge across the Atlantic Ocean and how that affected its adjacent spaces. The subject of the book is outstandingly framed by a broad historiographical debate that brings together multiple strands of up-to-date research and excellent consideration of the development of those diverse debates over time. This positioning of the manuscript in such a broad historiographical context makes it attractive to students, specialists and a broad range of historians and educated readers’ * Catia Antunes, Professor of History of Global Economic Networks, Leiden University, The Netherlands *Bringing to bear his masterful understanding of ways knowledge about all aspects of the sea grew, Karel Davids shows how that understanding shaped and was shaped by the forces of globalisation in lands bordering the Atlantic, in the process revealing the complex interplay of varied mechanisms, personal and institutional, which helped people conquer the ocean and creating a book undoubtedly worth reading. * Richard W. Unger, Professor Emeritus, University of British Columbia, Canada *The striking advances in the capability to collect and share maritime knowledge during the 18th century are cogently and elegantly analysed by Karel Davids in this comprehensive and well-argued volume on the Atlantic world. Using a transnational and cross-disciplinary approach, he moves with agility across different national historiographies and approaches and delivers his important analysis with a lightness of touch and a clarity of exposition and argument which will grip readers’ attention. * Maria Fusaro, Professor of Social and Economic History, University of Exeter, UK *Table of Contents1. Introduction: Globalization, Maritime Knowledge and the Atlantic world PART I Globalizing Forces and the Growth of Maritime Knowledge in the Atlantic World, c.1660-1730 Introduction: Globalisation between c.1660 and 1730 2. Globalising Forces and the Growth of Maritime Knowledge 3. Growing Maritime Knowledge and Globalisation PART II Maritime knowledge and Globalisation in the Atlantic World, c. 1730-1800 Introduction: Globalisation Between c.1730 and 1800 4. Maritime Knowledge Aiding Globalisation 5. Globalising Forces and the Growth of Maritime Knowledge Machines, Infrastructures and the Circulation of Maritime Knowledge Part III The Reshaping of the Atlantic World and the Collectivisation of Maritime Knowledge, c. 1800-1860 Introduction: Globalisation Between c.1800 and 1860 6. Maritime Knowledge Aiding Globalisation 7. Globalising Forces and the Collectivisation of Maritime Knowledge Conclusion

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Book SynopsisJeremy Johns provides a pictorial history of smuggling in Cornwall.

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Book SynopsisThe first biography of the remarkable Janet Taylor, a nineteenth-century navigator and mathematician who left an incredible mark on the male-dominated field of sea navigationTrade Review‘Very readable ... full of drama and human interest’ -- BBC Sky at Night

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Book Synopsis'What a fun book! Reading Sea Fever is enticing and intriguing, like watching floating treasure bob past your nose.' Tristan Gooley, author of The Natural Navigator Can you interpret the shipping forecast? Do you know your flotsam from your jetsam? Or who owns the foreshore? Can you tie a half-hitch - or would you rather splice the mainbrace? Full of charming illustrations and surprising facts, Sea Fever provides the answers to all these and more. Mixing advice on everything from seasickness to righting a capsized boat with arcane marine lore, recipes, history, dramatic stories of daring-do and guides to the wildlife we share our shores with, even the most experienced ocean-dweller will find something in these pages to surprise and delight.Trade ReviewWhat a fun book! Reading Sea Fever is enticing and intriguing, like watching floating treasure bob past your nose. * Tristan Gooley, author of The Natural Navigator *Once you've read it, you'll never feel like a landlubber again. * Carlisle Living *

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Book SynopsisHoratio Nelson was a shrewd political operator who charmed and impressed political leaders. He was a difficult subordinate, only happy when completely in command, and capable of great ruthlessness. This biography takes a look at Nelson's status as a hero, explaining how Nelson achieved such extraordinary success.

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Book SynopsisThe Great Lighthouses of Ireland is a collection of striking images and fascinating stories about the lighthouses around Ireland’s coast and the extraordinary men and women who lived and worked in them – as seen on the RTÉ TV series of the same name.

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Book SynopsisThe technical details of British warships were recorded in a set of plans produced by the builders on completion of every ship. Known as the as fitted general arrangements, these drawings documented the exact appearance and fitting of the ship as it entered service. They were very large more than 12 feet long for capital ships highly detailed, annotated and labelled, and drawn with exquisite skill in multi-coloured inks and washes. Intended to provide a permanent reference for the Admiralty and the dockyards, they represent the acme of the draughtsman s art. Today these plans form part of the incomparable collection of the National Maritime Museum at Greenwich, which is using the latest scanning technology to make digital copies of the highest quality. This book is the first of a series based entirely on these draughts which will depict famous warships in an unprecedented degree of detail complete sets in full colour, with many close-ups and enlargements that make every aspect clear and comprehensible. Extensive captions point the reader to important features to be found in the plans, and an introduction covers the background to the design. The celebrated battleship _Warspite_ is an ideal introduction to this new series an apparently familiar subject, but given this treatment the result is an anatomy that will fascinate every warship enthusiast and ship modeller.Trade ReviewRobert Brown's Battleship Warspite: Detailed in the Original Builder's Plans is an exciting new addition to my naval bookshelf. It is highly recommended for naval professionals and interested naval enthusiasts. The next books in this series Cruiser Birmingham and Aircraft Carrier Victorious should also be equally rewarding." --Australian Naval Institute "This is an incomparable reference work, absolutely ideal for serious enthusiasts and model makers." --Warship

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Book SynopsisStephen Fisher is an archaeologist and historian specialising in twentieth-century warfare and maritime history. He has been researching landing craft and the D-Day fleets for a number of years while working on a huge range of other projects.Previous work has included advising on the restoration of LCT 7074, the world's last surviving D-Day landing craft tank, and compiling a comprehensive assessment of the Second World War archaeology of the New Forest National Park. At present he undertakes archaeological surveys if the New Forest and sails with National Geographic/Lindbald Expeditions as a historian.

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Book SynopsisHMS Victory is probably the best-known historic ship in the world. A symbol of the Royal Navy's achievements during the great age of sail, she is based in Portsmouth and seen by tens of thousands of visitors each year.As is the case for many historic ships, however, there is a surprising shortage of informative and well illustrated guides, for reference during a visit or for research by enthusiasts - ship modellers, naval buffs, historians or students. This new series redresses the gap. Written by experts and containing more than 200 specially commissioned photographs, each title will take the reader on a superbly illustrated tour of the ship, from bow to stern and deck by deck. Significant parts of the vessel - for example, the capstan, steering gear, armament, brody stove, cockpit, stern cabins - are given detailed coverage both in words and pictures, so that the reader has at hand the most complete visual record and explanation of the ship that exists.In addition, the importance of the ship, both in her own time and now as a museum vessel, is explained, while her design and build, her fighting career and her life prior to restoration and exhibition are all described. No other books offer such superb visual impact and detailed information as the Seaforth Historic Ship Series - a truly groundbreaking concept bringing the ships of our past vividly to life.Nominated for the 2011 Mountbatten awards.

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Book SynopsisDiving the Thistlegorm is a unique in-depth look at one of the world's best-loved shipwrecks, the World War II British Merchant Navy steamship, featuring award-winning underwater photography. In this highly visual guide, cutting edge photographic methods enable views of the famous wreck and its fascinating cargo which were previously impossible. Diving the Thistlegorm is the culmination of decades of experience, archaeological and photographic expertise, many hours underwater, months of computer processing time, and days spent researching and verifying the history of the ship and its cargo. For the first time, this book brings the rich and complex contents of the wreck together, identifying individual items and illustrating where they can be found. As the expert team behind the underwater photography, reconstructions and explanations take you through the Thistlegorm in incredible detail, you will discover not only what has been learned but also what mysteries are still to be solved.Trade Review'Goes further than any previous guidebook in detailing the current condition of the wreck and its incredible cargo of wartime artefacts, from rifles to railway engines... There's so much to admire here - the complementary use of traditional photography alongside the large scale models and orthophotos afford the reader a way of looking at a wreck that could barely be imagined a decade ago... I recommend this superb book to anyone with an interest on the subject.'- SCUBA magazine.; 'A brilliant in depth guide to the wreck and all it's facets, all illustrated by superb photos and graphics.'-Scubaverse.com; 'Other books have been written about the Thistlegorm, but as befits the wreck this one is probably the most visually arresting ever to go to print... a remarkable achievement, and clearly a labour of love by a group of professionals smitten by this wreck... stunning colour image after stunning colour image leaps out from every page'- BritishDiver.co.uk; 'A detailed, thorough book with excellent images both stills and 3D photogrammetry. It is a really good read'--Divelog Australia; 'The most comprehensive guide to one of the world's greatest shipwrecks'- Emad Khalil, Alexandria University (from the Foreword)Table of ContentsFOREWORD by Emad Khalil, Alexandria University. INTRODUCTION - About the wreck; Wreck under threat; About this guide. HISTORY - Construction and build; Journey and sinking; Rediscovery and contemporary details. GUIDE - Bow to Midships; Upper Deck Holds; Hold No. 1 - Upper Deck; Hold No. 2 - Upper Deck; Lower Deck Holds; Hold No. 1 - Lower Deck; Hold No. 2 - Lower Deck; Shared Entrance to Hold No. 2 and Hold No. 3; Remains of Hold No. 4; Hold No. 5; Stern; Surrounding Seabed; Marine Life. DOCUMENTING THE WRECK - Photographing the Thistlegorm; Photographing the Vehicles; Big Vistas; Photogrammetry; 360 Degree Video; Wrecks at Risk - Future Work. Glossary. About the Authors. Index.

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Book SynopsisJohn Quirk loves history, drawing and boats and these three elements come together in this attractive and entertaining book. He has sought out obscure episodes or familiar events from the past and written engagingly about them, illustrated with his excellent colour cartoons. Where possible he relates the historical happenings and maritime moments to the present day, be it when tracing the history of the screw, misinformation (fake news) during the Second World War, plague ships in the fourteenth century, or Russia’s ill-fated war with Japan in 1904. The events covered range from Henry V’s invasion of France in 1415, consisting mainly of chartered French ships and paid for partially by Dick Whittington, to episodes in the Second World War, like the Somali Camel Corps capturing a German U-boat. Other historic figures involved include Horatio Nelson, Napoleon, Rudolf Diesel and Lawrence of Arabia. The 25 stories and over 100 cartoons are a treasure-trove of compelling, salt-infused, tales told with imagination and humour, with an eye on the present day, which will be enjoyed by anyone with an interest in maritime history (or even just history).Trade Review“December Book of the Month. Looking for a thoughtful gift for a history lover? This fun book goes as far back as King Henry V’s invasion of France in 1415 up to some of the key maritime events of World War II, weaving in details that more academic textbooks miss out, plus offering different angles on stories you thought you knew inside-out… The book is filled with cartoons and jokes that run throughout the 25 stories featured, all designed to inspire and grab the attention of kids young and old.” (Coast Magazine)“ “Not only does John Quirk have a relaxed writing style with frequent flashes of unforced humour, but his cartoons – and occasional more serious paintings – complement the text perfectly. Some of the stories are amusing… some inspiring… some poignant… and a few downright sad – but all are true and are well worth reading. Quirky History would make a great Christmas present for almost anyone, but do give yourself time to enjoy it first!” (Flying Fish) A funny, sideways glance at moments in British history… would make a perfect gift for all ages… A book billed as ‘quirky’ is likely to be opinionated, individual and occasionally provocative. John Quirk’s book is all of these things. It’s also clever and funny and will make an attractive gift.” (Yachting Monthly) “John Quirk’s 25 stories and 100 cartoons are a guide to entertaining maritime history.” (The Armourer)Table of ContentsIntroduction; 1. Camel Corps Captures U-Boat; 2. Henry V’s Channel Cruise; 3. The Taming Of The Screw; 4. Boats That Fly; 5. I’m Sorry, I Haven’t The Foggiest; 6. The Great Lynmouth Lifeboat Rescue; 7. The Man Who ‘Hid’ The Suez Canal; 8. Warning Shots; 9. The Birth Of The US Navy; 10. Lawrence To The Rescue; 11. The Sea Devil; 12. Plague Ships; 13. Dr Ted From Berkeley; 14. The Greatest Killer In Nelson’s Navy; 15. Mimi & Toutou Go Forth; 16. Off To D-Day In A Four Poster; 17. Those Magnificent Merlins; 18. The Navy Goes To Lake Turkana; 19. James Bond & The Armada; 20. Scuppered At Scarpa; 21. The First Yacht Race; 22. Whatever Happened To Diesel? 23. Napoleon’s Australia; 24. The End Result; 25. Russian Roulette

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Book SynopsisThe worst storm in history seem from the wheelhouse of a doomed fishing trawler; a mesmerisingly vivid account of a natural hell from a perspective that offers no escape.The perfect storm' is a once-in-a-hundred-years combination: a high pressure system from the Great Lakes, running into storm winds over an Atlantic island Sable Island and colliding with a weather system from the Caribbean: Hurricane Grace. This is the story of that storm, told through the accounts of individual fishing boats caught up in the maelstrom, their families waiting anxiously for news of their return, the rescue services scrambled to save them. It is the story of the old battle between the fisherman and the sea, between man and Nature, but here Nature is an awesome and capricious power that transforms the surface of the Atlantic into an impossible tumult of water walls and gaping voids, with the capacity to break an oil tanker in two, let alone the 72ft swordfishing boat Andrea Gail with her crew of eight. Trade Review‘(It) will become a classic for a jaded modern world’ The Independent ‘Writes like a poet who has been to meteorology school’ Ruth Rendell ‘Terrifying, sad, exhilarating, humbling and unforgettable’ Daily Mail ‘A magnificent sea-yarn … it deserves to storm these shores’ Observer

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Book SynopsisThe Dive is a thrilling narrative nonfiction in the tradition of The Perfect Storm and Apollo 13.They were out of their depth, out of breath, and out of time. It was 1973. Two men were trapped in a crippled submarine 1,700 feet below sea. They only had enough air to survive for two days. On the ocean's surface there was a hastily assembled flotilla of rescue ships from both sides of the Atlantic. The world held its breath to await word of a rescue.In a routine dive to fix the telecommunication cable that snakes along the Atlantic sea bed, their mission had gone badly wrong. There was a catastrophic fault on board the Pisces III, and Roger Chapman and Roger Mallinson's mini-submarine went tumbling to the ocean bed almost half a mile below.The crippled sub and its crew were trapped far beyond the depth of any previous sub-sea rescue. They had just two days' worth of oxygen. However, on the surface the best estimates for a rescue of these men was a minimum of three days' time.The Dive is Trade Review‘An unbelievable, completely true story that is so taut and brilliantly told I defy anyone not to cherish every breath they take’ Denise Mina

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Book SynopsisThe Viking ship is one of the most iconic images of the Vikings and the longship in particular has been central to our understanding of the Vikings. This book explores the evolution of their sea-going vessels and celebrates this outstanding feature of the Viking Age.

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Book SynopsisFrom the mid-sixteenth to the early nineteenth centuries, Barbary corsairs from North Africa swarmed the Mediterranean and the Atlantic, seizing enormous amounts of booty and tens of thousands of captives, hauling them back to the slave markets in their home ports and auctioning them off to the highest bidder. The conflict between these Barbary corsairs and Europe was military, but not just that; religious, but not just that; social and economic, but not just that either. Above all, it was a human conflict, with all the confusion, blurred lines, and inherent messiness of such things, and the narratives it generated were more complicated than simple swashbuckling pirate tales. _Corsairs & Captives_ presents a collection of these narratives, all based directly on primary-source documents, a number of which are translated into English for the first time. They include biographies of four renegade corsair captains (Europeans who converted to Islam and became corsairs), descriptions of s

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Book SynopsisThe projecting of military force to a distant shore has come to be seen as a uniquely British way of waging war. To be sure, many of these operations would now be classed as administrative landings with battle, if occurring at all, only following sometimes afterward. Others, of course, merit the label of opposed landings. To contemporaries of the period covered by this study, the evolutions went by the appellation of conjoint or combined operations. Less important than how they were styled remains the thought and the purpose giving rise to these ventures. In the decades before the First World War, professionals appreciated the myriad difficulties and dangers associated with amphibious operations. The laity, including statesmen, thought rather less of these matters but could recount numerous examples of their occurrence before 1914. Indeed, whatever operational failings Britain demonstrated during the World War a corpus of relevant experience was the least of these. What is now styled joint amphibious operations were difficult because they were never of a single type. Naval support to a military force standing on the defensive, raids, feints, blocking operations, riverine operations, and, yes, an opposed landing, spoke to a series of joint operations of ever-increasing complexity. Meanwhile, as every operation must at some point end, even the manner of evacuation came to be viewed as a special type of combined operation to be understood and learned. Finally, it remained that in a campaign of the grandest scale, examples of each might feature at differing moments along the way. Landings before 1914 were difficult and what military and naval authorities thought feasible before the onset of the World War in the realm of joint operations is a neglected field of studya surprising omission given the ink that has been spilt retelling the debacles experienced at Gallipoli, Mesopotamia, and East Africa. Every campaign has its contextoperational and strategic to be surebut also political, doctrinal, and bureaucratic. How Britain elected to wage war in 1914 proved a product of these variables just as surely as the military and naval capabilities it could muster. Tying the strands of pre-war military experience and thought in the realm of joint operations is the chief purpose of this study which takes as its starting point 1882 and the British assault against Egypt. The choice is far from arbitrary as the moment saw several earning their spurs who would later play a central role in the amphibious operations executed during the Great War. To the extent learning is more than the product of self-experience, this work pays special attention to the Russo-Japanese War. Thinking officers appreciated that fundamental changes were occurring in the nature and style of war. A learned public also appreciated this courtesy of works such as Ivan Bloch's Is War Now Possible? Notwithstanding what British officers understood on the eve of the World War, the problem of time and scale remained. This alone should give one pause before chiding others over past mistakes. This study looks at what was thought, what was taught, what was expected, and what occurred in the thirty years before Britain found herself facing a scale of conflict not witnessed in a century.

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Book SynopsisThe Knight's Cross (Ritterkreuz) was one of the highest decorations given for extreme acts of valour to all ranks of the German armed forces during the Second World War. Few awards captured the respect and admiration of the German public as the Knight's Cross it was the greatest honour one could achieve. In the perilous and close-knit world of the U-boat crews the award of the decoration to their captain was an event of particular pride and sometimes it was even added to the boat's insignia. In all, there were 123 recipients, including their commander-in-chief Karl Dönitz, and Jeremy Dixon's highly illustrated book is the ideal guide to all these men and their wartime service. A graphic text accompanied by almost 200 archive photographs describes the exploits of each of them, including those who received the higher grades of the award. Full details are given of their tours of duty, the operations they took part in, how they won their award, how many ships they sank and their subsequent careers.

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Book SynopsisA compact guide to 40 of the most iconic ships that have shaped warfare from the Ancient world to today.Since the days of the Ancient Greeks, naval ships of all sizes have revolutionized warfare. From the Viking longship, pirate ships and super dreadnoughts to today's nuclear submarines and aircraft carriers, naval warfare has proved to be an essential component of military forces across the world.The Ship Spotter's Guide provides essential information on 40 iconic ships, using detailed profile artwork to illustrate and aid recognition, as well as specification boxes to provide all the technical details.Table of ContentsIntroduction/ Ancient Warships/ The Norse Longship/ Warships of the Far East/ Tudor Warships/ The Spanish Galleon/ Warships of the Anglo-Dutch War/ Pirate Ships/ Warships of the War of Independence/ Napoleonic Ship-of-the-Line/ Ironclads/ Union Monitors/ River Gunboats/ Commerce Raiders/ British Dreadnoughts/ German Dreadnoughts/ Super Dreadnoughts/ Austro-Hungarian Battleships/ Battlecruisers/ Destroyers/ Submarines/ Kriegsmarine U-boats/ German Battleships/ British Coastal Forces/ German Cruisers/ German Destroyers/ Japanese Carriers/ American Carriers/ Allied Submarines/ Japanese Battleships/ British Battleships/ American Destroyers/ American Fast Battleships/ Japanese Heavy Cruisers/ Italian Battleships/ British Cruisers/ Japanese Destoyers/ Vietnam Riverine Craft/ American Cold War Carriers/ Nuclear Submarines/ American Modern Super Carriers

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Book SynopsisToday travellers by land, sea and air take accurate navigation for granted but it was not always thus. The author, a highly experienced sailor, sets out to record the development of navigational techniques from the earliest time, five millenniums ago. As explorers started to venture offshore into the unknown they had to rely on the sun and stars for direction. From this pioneers turned to mathematics, astrolobes, sextants and increasing accurate clocks to measure latitude and later longitude. More recently major breakthroughs with electronic navigation, GPS and other satellite systems have revolutionised travel. Focusing primarily but not exclusively on marine navigation, the author weaves a fascinating course through the successes and failures of mankind's quest to explore his world. The result is a thoroughly entertaining and informative work which has no rival.

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Book Synopsis**THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER**An inventive biography of one of the most famous ships of all time - recently discovered off the coast of America- Endeavour is an alluring combination of history, adventure and science. From Johnson's Dictionary to campaigns for liberty, the Enlightenment was an age of endeavours. It was also the name given to a commonplace, coal-carrying vessel bought by the Royal Navy in 1768 for an expedition to the South Seas. No one could have guessed that Endeavour would go on to become the most significant ship in the history of British exploration. Endeavour famously carried Captain James Cook on his first great voyage, but her complete story has never been told before. Here, Peter Moore sets out to explore the different lives of this remarkable ship - from the acorn that grew into the oak that made her, to her rich and complex legacy.'Fascinating and richly detailed... Peter Moore has brought us an acute insight into the ship that carried some of the most successful explorers across the world. A fine book that's definitely worth exploring' MICHAEL PALINTrade ReviewMr Moore is a dazzling new arrival: a witty, intelligent and hugely entertaining writer * Wall Street Journal *A joy of a biography, offering up a blizzard of maritime and political fascinations... Moore has written a book that makes the case for his little ship both compelling and irrefutable -- Simon Winchester * New York Times *Moore uses Endeavour as a window to the age of enlightenment. Like the period it recounts, this book has enormous energy, creativity and self-confidence. It's a feast of endless exotic dishes, all delivered with immense style -- Gerard DeGroot * The Times Books of the Year *Beautifully constructed, his book is not just the history of a single vessel, but a window into the intellectual and political life of the age of enlightenment, from the thrill of botanical discovery to the horror of Cook's last moments on the beaches of Hawaii -- Dominic Sandbrook * Sunday Times Books of the Year *A dazzling combination of science and adventure, lyrically evocative descriptions of lush tropical landscapes and salt-stung seascapes, and a portrait of an age…an absolute joy from start to finish, and surely my history book of the year -- Christopher Hart * Sunday Times *

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Book SynopsisTHE IRISH TIMES BESTSELLER'Powerful reportage...awash with wonderful obscurities' The Sunday Times'A comprehensive investigation of the staggering damage we have done to the world's oceans and its life forms' Observer'A vital, fascinating, deeply researched exploration of Earth's last wilderness... Shocking and starkly 'illuminating - a must-read' Gaia VinceThe ocean covers seventy per cent of the surface of our planet, and two thirds of this lie beyond national borders. Owned by all nations and no nation simultaneously, these waters are home to some of the richest and most biodiverse environments on the planet. But they are also home to exploitation on a scale that few of us can imagine. Here, industry and economic progress rule and lax enforcement and apathy are the status quo. Out of sight and often out of mind, a battle rages to control, profit from, protect, or obliterate the world's largest, wildest commons. Heffernan sets sail on a journey to uncover the truth behind deeply exp

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Book SynopsisJ.M.W. Turner's The Fighting Temeraire Tugged to her Last Berth to be Broken Up (1838) was his masterpiece. Sam Willis tells the real-life story behind this remarkable painting. The 98-gun Temeraire warship broke through the French and Spanish line directly astern of Nelson's flagship Victory during the Battle of Trafalgar (1805), saving Nelson at a crucial moment in the battle, and, in the words of John Ruskin, fought until her sides ran 'wet with the long runlets of English blood...those pale masts that stayed themselves up against the war-ruin, shaking out their ensigns through the thunder, till sail and ensign dropped.' It is a story that unites the art of war as practised by Nelson with the art of war as depicted by Turner and, as such, it ranges across an extensive period of Britain's cultural and military history in ways that other stories do not. The result is a detailed picture of British maritime power at two of its most significant peaks in the age of sail: the climaxes of both the Seven Years' War (1756-63) and the Napoleonic Wars (1798-1815). It covers every aspect of life in the sailing navy, with particular emphasis on amphibious warfare, disease, victualling, blockade, mutiny and, of course, fleet battle, for it was at Trafalgar that the Temeraire really won her fame. An evocative and magnificent narrative history by a master historian.Trade Review'Cleverly uses the microcosm of the life story of one ship to reflect the wider narrative of the decades-long struggle between Britain and France for mastery of the seas' Sunday Times. * Sunday Times *'*****Brilliant ... Sam Willis has written a magnificent tribute to these superb ships and all who sailed in them' Mail on Sunday. * Mail on Sunday *'Willis offers an engaging biography of the Temeraire and gives a detailed picture of life in the sailing navy ... (His) book is infused with his experience and knowledge of seafaring' Times Literary Supplement. * Times Literary Supplement *'an elegant lament for the vanished warships of the world and an eloquent plea for the preservation of those still afloat' Bernard Cornwell in Wall Street Journal. * Wall Street Journal *Table of ContentsList of illustrations. Maps. Preface. The Escaping Temeraire. The Captured Temeraire. The Amphibious Temeraire. The New Temeraire. The Blockading Temeraire. The Mutinous Temeraire. The Trafalgar Temeraire. The Baltic and Iberian Temeraire. The Retired Temeraire. The Fighting Temeraire. Postscript. Epilogue: On Iconic Warships. Appendix 1: Ship Diagrams. Appendix 2: The crew of HMS Temeraire at the Battle of Trafalgar, 21 October 1805. Appendix 3: Poems and Songs. Glossary. Notes. Bibliography. Index.

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Book SynopsisSiddharth Kara is an author, researcher, and activist on modern slavery. He is a British Academy Global Professor and an Associate Professor of Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery at Nottingham University. Kara has authored several books and reports on slavery and child labour, and he won the Frederick Douglass Book Prize. He has also taught courses on modern slavery at Harvard University, UC Berkeley, and Cornell University. He divides his time between the U.K. and the U.S.

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Book SynopsisThe Command of the Ocean describes with unprecedented authority and scholarship the rise of Britain to naval greatness, and the central place of the Navy and naval activity in the life of the nation and government. It describes not just battles, voyages and cruises but how the Navy was manned, how it was supplied with timber, hemp and iron, how its men (and sometimes women) were fed, and above all how it was financed and directed. It was during the century and a half covered by this book that the successful organizing of these last three - victualling, money and management - took the Navy to the heart of the British state. It is the great achievement of the book to show how completely integrated and mutually dependent Britain and the Navy then became.

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Book Synopsis''The Ministry of Defence does not comment upon submarine operations'' is the standard response of officialdom to enquiries about the most secretive and mysterious of Britain''s armed forces, the Royal Navy Submarine Service. Written with unprecedented co-operation from the Service itself and privileged access to documents and personnel, The Silent Deep is the first authoritative history of the Submarine Service from the end of the Second World War to the present. It gives the most complete account yet published of the development of Britain''s submarine fleet, its capabilities, its weapons, its infrastructure, its operations and above all - from the testimony of many submariners and the first-hand witness of the authors - what life is like on board for the denizens of the silent deep.Dramatic episodes are revealed for the first time: how HMS Warspite gathered intelligence against the Soviet Navy''s latest ballistic-missile-carrying submarine in the late 1960s;Trade ReviewA tour de force, a valuable resource for naval historians and future generations to wonder at. And I can't help hoping that our current leaders will make themselves aware of some vitally significant issues that it raises. -- Admiral Lord West * Spectator *The lay reader cannot fail to be absorbed by its dramatic tales of cat-and-mouse skirmishes with Soviet hunter-killer submarines, embarrassing spy scandals and lucid accounts of the Falklands War - all enlivened with first-hand testimony from the submariners themselves. -- Richard Blackmore * Independent *

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Book SynopsisWilliam Dampier, (1651-1715), was an English adventurer and pirate who preyed on ships on the Spanish Main. Poor and ill-educated and determined to make his fortune, he nonetheless had a passion for exploration and scientific research. Dampier was the first to map the winds and currents of the world''s oceans; led the first recorded party of Englishmen to set foot on Australia - 80 years before Cook; wrote about Galapagos wildlife 150 years before Darwin, who drew on Dampier''s notes in his own work; was the first travel writer: A NEW VOYAGE AROUND THE WORLD was instant bestseller when it was published in 1697 - said to have influenced the novels of Swift and Defoe. A man full of contradictions: he who achieved so much ''blew it'' later in life, declining into scandal, failure and even farce. A unique man ahead of his time, he lived a large part of his life among pirates yet managed to preserve what Coleridge called his exquisite refinement of mind. A classic exampleTrade ReviewLively... extraordinary life - an unlikely combination of plundering and pioneering achievements in natural history and exploration * The Sunday Times *Gripping and well-researched... An impressive achievement * Guardian *This long overdue biography wonderfully brings to life one of the most important explorers of the seventeenth century -- Nathaniel Philbrick, author of In the Heart of the SeaThis eloquently enthusiastic biography, besides charting Dampier's astonishing achievements, offers fascinating information about his times * The Age, Melbourne *

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Book SynopsisBringing the world of Titanic and her sisters back to life as never before through the captivating original artwork of talented artists

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewPraise for Graveyard of the Pacific: “Vividly evoking Sullivan’s deep fascination with the Pacific Northwest and thirst for friendship and adventure, this is a thrill ride.” —Publishers Weekly“A riveting story of maritime tragedies and a personal passage… It is Sullivan’s gripping, vividly detailed accounts of nautical disasters at the Columbia Bar that make the book such an achievement… The author’s personal story—from growing up with an abusive father to his 2021 attempt to cross the Bar by trimaran—courses through the book like an intermittent current… A strikingly rendered tale of the hard and lasting costs of courage.” —Kirkus (starred review)“The point where the Columbia River spills into the Pacific Ocean has long been known as the ‘Graveyard of the Pacific’ for all the deadly shipwrecks that have occurred there over the centuries... Sullivan challenges himself to traverse these turbid waters in a fragile trimaran… Defying nature’s fury, Sullivan also faces down his own demons… Ultimately, the struggle to cross both physical and emotional bars defines for Sullivan manhood in the contemporary world.” – Booklist

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Book SynopsisIn the weeks after the end of the War in May 1945, 156 U-boats surrendered to the Allies. Some of these either surrendered at sea or directly in a variety of ports, whilst the majority were taken over whilst moored in German bases in Norway, Denmark and France. Nine gave themselves up in the USA, Canada and Argentina. This book provides a comprehensive record of the surrender of all these vessels, and it also includes the story of the 200 or so U-boats which were scuttled, rather than surrendered, in the final days of the War. And it includes details of others which have been raised since and then either been used or scrapped. The author begins by describing the development of Allied policy in 1943, 1944 and early 1945 for the surrender and disposal of the German Navy and its surviving U-boats. It then explains the surrender arrangements, as well as the discussions concerning U-boats at the Potsdam Conference in July 1945 and by the Tripartite Naval Commission (TNC) in Berlin between August and December 1945. The uses and fates of all the surrendered U-boats are then described, particularly those which were formally allocated to the UK, the USA and the USSR. It includes the story of the capture of U-505, before concluding with a schedule showing the final disposal details of each of the U-boats which surrendered. The level of detail, and the exhaustive research incorporated in this work, makes it both an important new reference book and a fascinating analysis of one of the most significant events of the War's end; it also leads the reader into the world of postwar submarine development and the tussle between the US and Soviet navies to best exploit the technical advances that originated with the wartime U-boat. It is, with no doubt, the most complete account on this topic The time is more than ripe for this.'Dr Axel Niestle, German Naval HistorianThank you so much for your precious work bringing light into the end of the German U-Boats at the end of WW II. My congratulations for a wonderful piece of research'.Horst Bredow - Director of the Cuxhaven U-Boat Archive and MuseumA remarkably well researched work.'Glenn Helm, US Naval History and Heritage Command

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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Book SynopsisA history of life on board HMS Victory, the world''s most famous warship.This addition to the best-selling Conway pocket-book range explores Admiral Nelson's fully preserved flagship HMS Victory, the most tangible symbol of the Royal Navy's greatest battle off Cape Trafalgar on October 21st 1805.Peter Goodwin, the leading historian of the sailing man-of-war, explains the workings of the only surviving line of battle' ship of the Napoleonic Wars. And, as Victory was engaged in battle for only two per cent of her active service, the book also provides a glimpse into life and work at sea during the other ninety-eight per cent of the time.Drawing from a selection of contemporary documents and records, Goodwin explains the day-to-day running of a three-decker Georgian warship: victualling, organisation, discipline, domestic arrangements and medical care. He answers questions such as: What types of wood were used in building Victory?'; What was her longest

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Book SynopsisAn examination of one of the most famous ships of all time, from a refreshingly different angle. Compiled from authentic period sources with nostalgic illustrations.Launched in May 1911, the triple-screw steamer Titanic was the pride of the White Star Line and at that time the largest passenger ship in the world. Built to carry passengers in comfort and luxury on the lucrative transatlantic route, her design, fittings and on-board facilites epitomised the spirit of the age in terms of elegance and style. Titanic: A Passenger''s Guide is a unique guide to all aspects of the ship, incorporating authentic period literature from sources including White Star Line themselves, Harland & Wolff shipyards, and important publications from the time.Trade ReviewThe Titanic Pocketbook: A Passenger’s Guide is a slim little book chock full of information about the great ship. Written as though it were in fact an informational book for someone considering sailing on board the Titanic ... it is an interesting slant on the ship and one this buff enjoyed. * Historical Novel Society *

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Book Synopsis''A worthy addition to any bookshelf.'', The Naval Review A fascinating re-examination of the battle of Leyte Gulf, the largest naval encounter in history and probably the most decisive naval battle of the entire Pacific War.Leyte was a huge and complex action, actually consisting of four major battles, each of which are broken down in detail in this book, using original sources. The plans of both sides, and how they dictated the events that followed, are also examined critically.So much of the accepted wisdom of the battle has developed from the many myths that surround it, myths that have become more firmly established over time. In this new study, Pacific War expert Mark Stille examines the key aspects of this complex battle with new and insightful analysis and dismantles the myths surrounding the respective actions and overall performances of the two most important commanders in the battle, and the ?lost victory? of the Japanese advance into Leyte Gulf that never happened.

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