Maritime history Books

Book SynopsisHow the Golden Age of transatlantic travel between the wars transformed women's lives across all classes - a vivid portrait of life on-board the iconic ocean liners.Trade ReviewPRAISE FOR QUEEN BEES: 'So entertaining' * The Times *The book, like their parties, is "enormous fun" * Guardian *Crammed with fascinating anecdotes * Independent *A whirl of a book, gossipy, light and fun * Times Literary Supplement *PRAISE FOR MAIDEN VOYAGES:In this riveting slice of social history, Siân Evans does a brilliant job of describing the unexpected textures of life at sea...By deep diving into the archives, Siân Evans has discovered a watery in-between world where the usual rules didn't quite apply and a spirited woman could get further than she ever would on dry land * Mail on Sunday *With coronavirus dramatically reducing the appeal of hopping aboard an aeroplane, it's the perfect time to delve into this atmospheric look at transatlantic travel a century ago. * History Revealed *Sian Evans captures the glamour of life on the upper decks (think dance bands, evening gowns and illicit romances with millionaires), alongside the desperation and discomfort of those who gambled everything on a one-way ticket in steerage. * BBC History Magazine *Wonderfully readable... invigoratingly feminist... the book's a treat. * Times Literary Supplement *Like the best salty yarns, Maiden Voyages splices together intriguing personalities in extraordinary settings sailing through dramatic times, a tale well worth the fare. * Air Mail *

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Book SynopsisThe only comprehensive listing of French sailing warships in EnglishTrade ReviewFrench Warships in the Age of Sail 1626-1786: Design, Construction, Careers and Fates by naval historian Rif Winfield with the assistance of Stephen S. Roberts is the first comprehensive listing of these ships in English, and follows the pattern set by its companion volume, British Warships in the Age of Sail, 1793-1817: Design, Construction, Careers and Fates in providing an impressive depth of information. Profusely illustrated with b/w illustrations and ship construction images, French Warships in the Age of Sail 1626-1786 is impressively informative and comprehensive, making it an ideal and unreservedly recommended for personal, community, college, and university library Naval History collections and supplemental studies reading lists." --Midwest Book Review "This is very useful to those of us who need a handy and quick reference to a variety of vessels. The citations plentiful…. [I]f you need a … top notch reference book to explore the careers of warships in the age of sail, there's really no better source." --British Tars, 1740-1790

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Book SynopsisSHORTLISTED FOR THE DUFF COOPER PRIZE 2022 A FINANCIAL TIMES BEST HISTORY BOOK OF 2022 _______________ 'Rigorous, deft and entertaining ... a sparkling read' - The Spectator 'The ride is thrilling ... a work of serious scholarship' - Sunday Telegraph _______________ For centuries, Ferdinand Magellan has been celebrated as a hero: a noble adventurer who circumnavigated the globe in an extraordinary feat of human bravery; a paragon of daring and chivalry. Now historian Felipe Fernández-Armesto draws on extensive and meticulous research to conduct a dazzling investigation into Magellan’s life, his character and his ill-fated voyage. He reveals that Magellan did not attempt – much less accomplish – a journey around the globe, and that in his own lifetime, the explorer was abhorred as a traitor, reviled as a tyrant and dismissed as a failure. Fernández-Armesto probes the passions and tensions that drove Magellan to adventure and drew him to disaster: the pride that became arrogance, audacity that became recklessness, determination that became ruthlessness, romanticism that became irresponsibility, and superficial piety that became, in adversity, irrational exaltation. And as the real Magellan emerges, so too do his true ambitions, focused less on circumnavigating the world or cornering the global spice market than on exploiting Filipino gold. Offering up a stranger, darker and even more compelling narrative than the fictional version that has been glorified for half a millennium, Straits untangles the myths that made Magellan a hero. _______________Trade ReviewThis excellent book is a model of elegant argument and authoritative research ... If this account of Magellan's voyage sounds like a history of failure, not success, that is because it was just that. The real triumph is that of Felipe Fernández-Armesto, who has exposed the fallacies of five hundred years of literature about Magellan. * David Abulafia, Literary Review *Rigorous, deft and entertaining ... a sparkling read -- Horatio Clare * The Spectator *The ride is thrilling ... a work of serious scholarship -- Paul Lay * Sunday Telegraph *A brilliant display of virtuosity ... A masterfully persuasive book -- Matthew Restall * Times Literary Supplement *The enormously confident Fernández-Armesto tells this story with gusto, rendering Magellan much more interesting because of his flaws than the cardboard hero we’ve been sold ... [He] is endearingly contemptuous of academic convention, inventing dialogue where appropriate and taking the reader down blind alleys simply because they’re picturesque. He’s not afraid of being funny, weaving into his analysis quirky remarks that reveal his mischievous side. -- Gerard DeGroot * The Times *A brilliant triumph -- Fernando Cervantes * History Today *Felipe Fernández-Armesto is not just a pioneering scholar of the Spanish empire and the Age of Exploration, but a historian who tells wonderfully readable stories * Financial Times *In Straits, we see a master of his craft at work. Fernández-Armesto is arguably the leading scholar of our times in making the early European Age of Discovery accessible to a wider audience. -- Margaret Small * BBC History Magazine *This is the story of a voyage that was in reality one of the most disastrous in the history of overseas exploration but which has now become one of its greatest triumphs - and of a man who failed at almost everything he set out to do and yet became one of the great heroes of modernity. Scintillating and compelling, and told with all of Felipe Fernández-Armesto's habitual verve and wit, it is at the same time a sobering insight into how we have come to conceive our own increasingly globalized world -- Anthony Pagden, author of 'Worlds at War'Straits is a triumph of biographical writing. With his characteristic vigor and panache, Felipe Fernández-Armesto circumnavigates Magellan's life and times with a clearer object in mind and far greater success than ever imagined for this subject. He shows us not only the skills and bravado but also the intrigues, the self-deception, and even the insanity that animated Magellan's quest -- Lincoln Paine, author of 'The Sea and Civilization'By pulling apart the usually willfully misread sources in their original languages with a detective's eye for contradiction and inconsistency, Straits unravels a yarn of unmitigated failure punctuated by hubris, meanness, and crafty power grabs. The Ferdinand Magellan who emerges from these freshly disinterred sources is no hero but rather a ruthless gentleman of fortune who died to tell the tale -- Kris Lane, author of 'Potosi'

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Book SynopsisFar more than an architecture book, Coastal Defences of the British Empire in the Revolutionary & Napoleonic Eras is a sweeping reinterpretation of the Martello towers, Grand Redoubts, Royal Military Canal and other new defence infrastructure. Lavishly illustrated with period maps, views, portraits, cartoons and newly commissioned colour photographs, it includes not only these structures' forerunners, and plans that were never executed, but also the grand strategy that informed them. At its best, this saw Britain's position as a vast land battle, with the deadly threat of the French-held Antwerp navy yards on its own 'left wing', and Lisbon as the enemy's 'weak left' to be 'turned'. The book also takes in the astonishingly inventive, bold and bloody small-boat wars that raged from the Baltic and Channel coast to Chesapeake Bay and Lake Ontario, and provides vivid pen-sketches of the now-obscure and sometimes deeply flawed strategic visionaries, engineers, inventors, and fighting men who held the line as - even after Trafalgar - the forces of an ever more powerful French empire circled like sharks. Along the way, it traces a fundamental change in the nature of war and society: from a ponderous game of fortresses and colonies played by rulers, to murderous 'foot by foot' defence of the whole territory of the nation by 'both sexes and every social type'.

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Book SynopsisOriginal designed in 1934 for anti-submarine training, by the end of the war seventy-two U-Class subs had been commissioned. Seventeen were lost to the enemy and three in accidents. Manned by crews from seven nations' navies, they served world-wide and never more successfully than in the Med, where they made a major contribution to the defeat of Rommel's Afrika Corps. The quality of their service is born out by the 375 gallantry medals awarded to crewmen including Lt Cdr David Wanklyn's VC.

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Book SynopsisThis biography of John Jervis, who became Admiral Lord Vincent, makes compelling reading. It throws an oblique light on Nelsons personality. St Vincent, who was born twenty-three years before Nelson, and survived for eighteen years after Trafalgar, fundamentally influenced the younger mans career despite the two men being diametrically different characters. Yet without him, Nelsons genius might have been submerged by professional jealousy or emotional fragility. It was St Vincents strategy and preparation which positioned Nelson to win his three famous victories, but St Vincent himself made vital contributions not only to the defeat of Napoleon but to the well-being of the Royal Navy. Before he became First Lord of the Admiralty, the Navy had been severely weakened by corruption in the dockyards, nepotism in appointments and the appalling conditions under which the seamen lived and worked. St Vincent deserves the profound gratitude of the Nation; not only for enabling Nelson to exercise his tactical brilliance, but also for the role he played in preventing Napoleon from invading the British Isles.

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Book Synopsis_What Ship, Where Bound?_ takes its title from the familiar opening exchange of signals between passing ships, and celebrates the long history of visual communications at sea. It traces the visual language of signalling from the earliest naval banners or streamers used by the Byzantines in AD 900 through to morse signalling still used at sea today. The three sections, Flag Signalling, Semaphore, and Light Signalling each trace the development of the respective methods in meeting the needs of commanders for secure and unambiguous communication with their fleets. Though inextricably linked to naval tactics and fleet manoeuvres, the history of signalling at sea also reflects the exponential growth in global maritime trade in the nineteenth century when dozens of competing systems vied for the attention of ship owners and led to a huge proliferation of codes. By setting each method in the context of its time, the book explores their practical use, successes and shortcomings and, particularly in the case of signal flags - though by no means exclusively so - their place in our visual, cultural and maritime heritage. Covering a wide spectrum of visual signalling methods from false fire, through shapes, furled sails and coloured flags to experiments in high speed text messaging by signal lamp, the book also examines the complex interrelation between all three methods under battle conditions. A detailed analysis of visual signal exchanges before and during the Battle of Jutland reveals both the success and ultimate limitations on flag signalling at the limits of visibility. Extensively and beautifully illustrated, the book will appeal to present and former mariners familiar with the signals, all those with an interest in naval and maritime history, with particular emphasis on late eighteenth-century signalling practice, artists and ship modellers, graphic designers and all those involved in visual communications today.

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Book SynopsisThe story of the British Eastern Fleet, which operated in the Indian Ocean against Japan, has rarely been told. Although it was the largest fleet deployed by the Royal Navy prior to 1945 and played a vital part in the theatre it was sent to protect, it has no place in the popular consciousness of the naval history of the Second World War. So Charles Stephenson's deeply researched and absorbing narrative gives this forgotten fleet the recognition it deserves. British pre-war naval planning for the Far East is part of the story, as is the disastrous loss of the battleship Prince of Wales and battlecruiser Repulse in 1941, but the body of the book focuses on the new fleet, commanded by Admiral Sir James Somerville, and its operations against the Japanese navy and aircraft as well as Japanese and German submarines. Later in the war, once the fleet had been reinforced with an American aircraft carrier, it was strong enough to take more aggressive actions against the Japanese, and these are described in vivid detail. Charles Stephenson's authoritative study should appeal to readers who have a special interest in the war with Japan, in naval history more generally and Royal Navy in particular.

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Book SynopsisPerched on the edge of an isolated and windswept field, overlooking Dundrum Bay, Co Down, lies a derelict Boat House, formerly the RNLI Tyrella Lifeboat Station. From 1838-1899 five lifeboats were stationed at Tyrella, saving over 100 lives; yet there are no folk memories, photographs or plaques to commemorate the brave men who risked their lives for others.This is their story

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Book SynopsisThis is the first major biography of Admiral Sir Bertram Ramsay in fifty years. Ramsay masterminded the evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force from Dunkirk in 1940. Initially, it was thought that 40,000 troops at most could be rescued. But Ramsay's planning and determination led to some 338,000 being brought back to fight another day, although the Royal Navy and the Merchant Navy paid a high price in ships and men. Ramsay continued to play a crucial role in the conduct of the Second World War – the invasion of Sicily in 1943 was successful in large part due to his vision, and he had a key role in the planning and execution of the D-Day invasion – coordinating and commanding the 7,000 ships that delivered the invasion force onto the beaches of Normandy.After forty years in the Royal Navy he was forced to retire in 1938 after falling out with a future First Sea Lord but months later, with war looming, he was given a new post. However he was not reinstated on the Active List until April 1944, at which point he was promoted to Admiral and appointed Naval Commander-in-Chief for the D-Day naval expeditionary force. Dying in a mysterious air crash in 1945, Ramsay’s legacy has been remembered by the Royal Navy but his key role in the Allied victory has been widely forgotten. After the war ended his achievements ranked alongside those of Sir Winston Churchill, Field Marshal Viscount Alanbrooke, Field Marshal Viscount Montgomery and General Dwight Eisenhower, yet he never received the public recognition he deserved.Brian Izzard’s new biography of Ramsay puts him and his work back centre-stage, arguing that Ramsay was the mastermind without whom the outcome of both Dunkirk and D-Day – and perhaps the entire war – could have been very different.Trade ReviewThis excellent modern biography is long overdue, superbly written and will hopefully help restore the worthy prominence owed to one of Britain's greatest naval officers. * Britain at War Magazine *Well and attractively written and a good read. * Navy News *This is a thoroughly enjoyable book, easy to read, and informative. * Naval Review 05/07/2021 *Brian Izzard has written a splendid, much needed and long overdue full biography of Admiral Ramsay, with access to far more material, significant amounts of it formerly classified, than that available to WS Chalmers with his much earlier biography, written sixty years ago. But the book also includes an excellent history of Operation Dynamo, the amazing story of the Dunkirk evacuation, it is the best account that I have read of that incredible strategic rescue of the BEF (British Expeditionary Force). * Scuttlebutt 12/06/2020 *This reviewer is firmly of the opinion that many of the best histories are written by journalists or former journalists. This book is no exception. The author is a journalist of vast experience who also happens to write great military history. He certainly has a talent for weaving a fascinating and readable tale … [a] quite personal but very inspiring biography. * Baird Maritime 11/06/2020 *Brian Izzard has written a fascinating and complete biography that is a delight to read of the man described as the “mastermind of amphibious operations”. Very highly recommended. * Warships World 09/07/2020 *‘’This is a fascinating… account of a great admiral's life and times.’’ * Warships International *Table of ContentsChapter 1 The Banished Warrior Chapter 2 A Ramsay Who Riled Wellington Chapter 3 War Breaks Out Chapter 4 New Horizons Chapter 5 Battle of the Admirals Chapter 6 King of the Castle Chapter 7 The Troops Head to France Chapter 8 Operation Dynamo Chapters 9 to 16: Dunkirk evacuation Chapter 17 Salute to Ramsay Chapter 18 Mutiny Chapter 19 Threat of Invasion Chapter 20 1941 Chapter 21 The Great Escape Chapter 22 Go To It! Chapter 23 Operation Torch Chapter 24 The Burning Torch Chapter 25 The Tide Turns Chapter 26 Onward to Sicily Chapter 27 D-Day Chapter 28 Death

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Book SynopsisThis extensively illustrated volume tells the dramatic yet successful story of US aircraft carriers in World War II by class, ranging from early pre-war designs to escort carriers built from destroyer hulls, to the gigantic fleet carriers serving as the predecessors of modern-day super carriers.Besides covering the famous great carrier battles in the Pacific, this book also tells of the equally important actions of US flat tops hunting and destroying German U-boats in the Atlantic, making an enormous contribution to the elimination of the U-boat dangers and the safe arrival of transatlantic supplies, so desperately needed for the launch of D-Day.Including profiles and explanatory text boxes, the concise text gives a clear overview of each ship’s career, its fate and its significance in American naval history. Moreover, the reader learns about the technical evolution of US carriers throughout the war, and the various aircraft launched from these magnificent vessels to engage their Japanese or German foes. This volume provides an overview of preserved World War II flat tops serving as floating museums for future generations as well as a dive to the sunken USS Saratoga at Bikini Atoll.Trade Review...probably my favorite book that I’ve reviewed in the 18 or 19 years I’ve been doing this for IPMS/USA (That long? Really?). Of course, I am biased to the subject matter, but the author has taken so much important information and put it all together in such a highly organized, logical, and easy to read format, that I have to recommend it to you very highly, and without caveat. * IPMS/USA *This extensively illustrated volume tells the dramatic yet successful story of US aircraft carriers in World War II by class, ranging from early pre-war designs to escort carriers built from destroyer hulls, to the gigantic fleet carriers serving as the predecessors of modern-day super carriers. * NavyBooks 02/08/2021 *This is a useful overview of the US carrier fleet, with good descriptions of the various classes and their strengths and weaknesses, and a complete photographic reference for every carrier that served during the war. * History of War 13/09/2021 *As with the other volumes in the series, you get a nice overall summary of the topic in hand, lots of photos, and a nice reference for your diorama or modelling. * The Historical Miniatures Gaming Society *...an engaging read with many excellent accompanying photographs and colour artwork. […] If you like Carriers, you will undoubtedly enjoy this book. * Wargames Illustrated 06/12/2021 *I have long been interested in aircraft carriers and this has been one of the most interesting books, at a reasonable price, that I can think of. * Military Model Scene 08/11/2021 *…this excellent “one-stop shop” for everything relating to the US Navy’s carriers of the Pacific War will earn its keep over time, offering a good potted history of that conflict and, invaluably, individual histories of the flat-tops of the 1939–45 period. * The Aviation Historian Magazine 25/10/2021 *

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Book Synopsis#1 New Release in Caribbean & West Indies History — Discover the True Story Behind One of the Black Passengers on the TitanicAn Incredible Tragedy: Joseph Laroche was an anomaly among the passengers of the Titanic. He was exceptionally well-educated in a time when few black men had access to an education―and when even fewer were able to travel on a luxurious ship in first or second class. Who was Joseph Laroche? Where was he going, and what was his story? Rediscovered History: This biography recounts the life of Joseph Laroche, his part in the history of Haiti, and how he, as a 24-year-old father of two (soon to be three) children, ended up on the last ship of that era of glamourous travel. He was a direct descendant of the father of Haitian independence and related to two Haitian presidents. As an engineer, Laroche contributed to the construction of the Parisian railway and had a promising future ahead of him. A Brilliant Biography: Ivorian-French writer Serge Bilé is the author of this fresh perspective on the tragedy that still fascinates millions and has inspired dozens of history books. With thorough research in Haiti and France, Bilé unearths the story of the intriguing figure of Joseph Laroche. This is a story of multi-cultural black history and of the political and natural forces that converged on one man. Readers who were fascinated by the true stories behind Hidden Figures and The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks will love this engaging tale.Table of ContentsTable of Contents Introduction Rules Set An Intention Getting to Know You Who Am I? Let's Get You Mentally Healthy To Read Everyday Your Values Taking Care of Your Mental Wellbeing Structuring Your Mind Body Acceptance Relationships Finding Joy (Where You Can) So, in Conclusion Extra Worksheets About the Author

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Book SynopsisDerek Wright learnt about small boats from his father, who tragically died when Derek was just 14 years old. Sent away from his family to finish his education, he left school at 16 to join the global tea trade. Soon after he finished his training with Brooke Bond, famous for their 'Dividend' tea, Hitler invaded Poland and Britain was at war.By then known to his friends as 'Jake', he was one of the first Volunteer Reserves to be called up to fight for his country. Plucked from his naval training in HMS King Alfred, his warfighting initiation was on the beach at Dunkirk, helping evacuate stragglers after Operation DYNAMO. He then volunteered for Motor Torpedo Boats, where he served with valour and distinction.Whilst Hitler's U-Boats were torpedoing shipments of tea bound for Great Britain, Jake Wright reciprocated by torpedoing Axis coastal shipping off Europe. His first Command was MTB 331, trained for a daredevil mission to puncture German boom defences protecting their battleships. In his next Command, MTB 32, he was wounded in action whilst torpedoing a German convoy, but kept his small ship fighting against the odds to win the action and sink his enemy; for his bravery he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. Further acts of gallantry in action, combined with tactical innovation, saw him earn two bars to his DSC as well as a Mention in Despatches; he became one of only 44 officers in the Second World War to receive a DSC with two Bars.After demobilisation he returned to the tea trade, rising to become one of Brooke Bond's senior directors supplying Britain's beloved beverage. He even helped refine how to make the perfect cup of tea.This is the life story of a determined, brave, innovative and decorated officer who has earned a place in the hearts of our nation. It is the story of Derek 'Jake' Wright, DSC**.Trade ReviewJake Wright clearly had a really action-packed war and this book skilfully combines his coastal forces experiences with his influential role in the tea business. * The Naval Review *Table of ContentsPrelude Attach with Torpedoes Tea and Sea Any Stragglers? The Operation that Never Was - MTB 331 East Coast Adventures Praying Mantis The Big Boats Sent Ashore Home for Tea Sailing By Epilogue Bibliography

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Book SynopsisMost books gloss over submarines at Midway and, if they are mentioned at all, conclude they failed miserably and had little impact on the outcome of the battle. It is undeniable that carrier aviation and intelligence saved the day, but the role of the submarine was an important one in defence of an anticipated amphibious assault.Midway Submerged is a comprehensive examination of a little-known aspect of this pivotal naval battle, explaining how Nimitz used his submarines at Midway, and the Japanese misused theirs based on a flawed tactical plan. Based on in-depth archival research not only into the battle itself, but also submarine design and construction, and tactical and operational doctrine for both the United States and Japan, it brings a whole new dimension to the discussion of the battle of Midway. It examines the intended role of the submarine in the plans and doctrine of both navies, and what the submarines were expected to accomplish for both fleets during the battle, before assessing the actual accomplishments, successes, and failures of the submarine forces on both sides. Of particular importance, the book offers an analysis of how well these vessels fulfilled the expectations placed on them by their respective naval planners, concluding that submarines played a more important role in the outcome than has been previously understood.Trade ReviewAllen does a very good job of examining the submarine portions of the US and Japanese operational plans . . . an excellent revisionist assessment of submarine employment at the Battle of Midway. * The National Maritime Historical Society *Table of Contents1.Midway Submerged: Introduction 2.Japanese Naval Doctrine 3.Japanese Submarine Strategy and Tactics 4.United States Naval Doctrine 5.United States Submarine Strategy and Tactics 6.Japanese Submarine Actions at Midway 7.United States Submarine Actions at Midway 8.Analysis: Undersea Warfare at Midway 9.Midway Submerged: Conclusions Appendices Bibliography Notes Index

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Book SynopsisVast Expanses is a cultural, environmental and geopolitical history that examines the relationship between humans and oceans, reaching back across geological and evolutionary time and exploring different cultures around the globe. Our ancient connections with the sea have developed and multiplied with industrialization and globalization, a trajectory that runs counter to Western depictions of the ocean as a place remote from and immune to human influence. This book argues that knowledge about the ocean - discovered through work and play, scientific investigation, and also through the ambitions people have harboured for the sea - has played a central role in defining our relationship with this vast, trackless and opaque place. It has helped people exploit marine resources, control ocean space, extend imperial or national power, and attempt to refashion the sea into a more tractable arena for human activity. An understanding of the ocean has animated and strengthened connections between people and their seas. To comprehend this history we must address questions of how, by whom and why knowledge of the ocean was created and used, in both the past and the present; through this, we can forge a healthier relationship with the sea for the future.Trade Review`Vast Expanses is thought-provoking, intelligent, entertaining, and yet still compact. It could be read in a graduate seminar or on a beach holiday. Professor Rozwadowski has written a great book on an important subject, and it is anything but a dry history!' – Kurk Dorsey, Associate Professor of History at the University of New Hampshire and author of Whales and Nations: Environmental Diplomacy on the High Seas

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Book SynopsisSurprisingly, the remarkable story of the Scottish role in the discovery of the Northwest Passage – a long desired trade route connecting the Atlantic and Pacific – has not received a great deal of attention. This book charts the extensive contribution to Arctic exploration made by the Scots, including significant names, such as John Ross from Stranraer, veteran of three Arctic expeditions; his nephew, James Clark Ross, the most experienced Arctic and Antarctic explorer of his generation and discoverer of the Magnetic North Pole; John Richardson of Dumfries, a medical doctor, seasoned explorer and engaging natural historian; and Orcadian John Rae, who discovered evidence of the grisly demise of John Franklin and his crew. The book also pays tribute to many others too: the Scotch Irish, the whalers and not least the Inuit, with whom the Scottish explorers cooperated and generally enjoyed good relations, relying on their knowledge of the environment in many crucial cases. The awakening of the Scots to the magnificence and dread of the hyperborean regions – as places of discovery, of inspiration and, regrettably, of exploitation – is traced, with particular emphasis on the first half of the nineteenth century until the search for the missing Franklin expedition mid-century.Trade Review'A fine book that helps put right a significant historical oversight: the lack of recognition awarded by their peers and by posterity to the contributions made by Scots to Arctic exploration' -- Ken Lussey * Undiscovered Scotland *'A splendid piece of compelling narrative history' -- Allan Massie * The Scotsman *'[an] extraordinary tome... Cowan's writing is lucid and engaging, and the concise chapters are easy to digest' -- Rosie Morton * Scottish Field *'A narrative that charts the remarkable — yet often overlooked or misidentified — Scottish contribution to Arctic exploration... For anyone fascinated by Scottish history or hungry for tales of Arctic adventure, Northern Lights is a vivid new addition to the rich tradition of polar narratives.' * Country Bookshelf *

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Book SynopsisPeople are drawn to the harbours and boats of Scotland whether they have a seafaring background or not. Why do boats take on different shapes as you follow the complex shorelines of islands and mainland? And why do the sails they carry appear to be so many shapes and sizes? Then there are rowing craft or power-driven vessels which can also be considered ‘classics’, whether they were built for work or leisure. As he traces the iconic forms of a selection of the boats of Scotland, Ian Stephen outlines the purposes of craft, past and present, to help gain a true understanding of this vital part of our culture. Sea conditions likely to be met and coastal geography are other factors behind the designs of a wide variety of craft. Stories go with boats. The vessels are not seen as bare artefacts without their own soul but more like living things. 'A writer uniquely attuned to the water, and to the relationships each boat shares with the places it shaped, his stories restore past sea roads and river routes to life' - David Gange, author of The Frayed Atlantic EdgeTrade Review'Wonderful... a rich compendium of the Scottish engagement with the sea' -- Adam Nicolson, author of Life Between the Tides'The small boats that made Scottish history have never seemed so charismatic and characterful as in Ian Stephen’s gorgeous, vivid prose. A writer uniquely attuned to the water, and to the relationships each boat shares with the places it shaped, his stories restore past sea roads and river routes to life' -- David Gange, author of The Frayed Atlantic Edge'[Boatlines] tells of the compelling bonds between humans and nature, along with copious anecdotes about the vessels, who built them, sailed in them, and the communities they served... an evocative love letter to the sea' -- Neil Drysdale * Press and Journal *'A magisterial flight across 30 or 40 different vernacular vessels... it is fascinating' * West Highland Free Press *'Ian Stephen's fascinating new book explores Scotland's deep relationship with boats, the talented people who built them and the many communities that still depend on them' * The Herald *'A wonderful book about...the small boats that do so much to give individual stretches of the coastline of Scotland such distinctive characters' -- Ken Lussey * Undiscovered Scotland *'Although there's an incredible density of nautical information, Stephen also packs in anecdotes and has a light writing style' * Scottish Field *'A sensitively written account of sailors' lore to vicariously share the pleasures of life afloat... absorbing and leaves you wanting more' -- Frank Rennie * Stornoway Gazette *'carefully researched and there are a selection of nice pencil drawings which make for a pleasing read' * Sailing Today *'Stephen, through his wonderful use of prose, allows us to experience the culture of these coastal and canal communities which followed a natural rhythm governed by the seasons, the weather, and the tides' -- Marc Chivers * Mariner's Mirror *

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Book SynopsisA survey of the activities of the British navy in the Caribbean from the voyages of sixteenth century English adventurers such as John Hawkins and Francis Drake through the great wars of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries against the Dutch, Spanish and French and Britain's declining role thereafter. This book charts the involvement of the British navy in the Caribbean from the earliest times to the present. It recounts the voyages of sixteenth century English adventurers such as John Hawkins and Francis Drake and their attacks on Spanish territories, outlines the capture of Jamaica during the time of Oliver Cromwell's rule and describes the growth of the British slave trade. It goes on to discuss the late seventeenth century and eighteenth century conflicts and wars with the Dutch, Spanish and French and the War of American Independence, analyses the effect of the abolition of the slave trade and explores the British dominance which prevailed throughout much of the nineteenth century. The book concludes by examining how in the twentieth century the British navy withdrew almost entirely from the Caribbean, tacitly ceding control to the United States. Throughout the book relates developments in the Caribbean to developments in Britain and in the British navy more widely. John D. Grainger is the author of numerous books for a variety of publishers, including eight previously published books for Boydell and Brewer, including The British Navy in the Baltic, Dictionary of British Naval Battles and The First Pacific War: Britain and Russia, 1854-56.Table of ContentsIntroduction 1. English Encroachments, Timidly 2. Slavers and Pirates 3. War, Privateering and Colonies 4. Western Design 5. Buccaneers 6. Two Great Wars 7. Pirates, Asiento and Guarda costas 8. Jenkins' War 9. The Seven Years' War 10. The American War - Defeats 11. The American War - Recovery 12. The Great French Wars 13. Fading Supremacy Conclusion Bibliography

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Book SynopsisSkilfully uses this notorious episode to illuminate the nature and extent of piracy in the period. The pirate attack on the British brig Morning Star, en route from Ceylon to London, near Ascension Island in 1828 was one of the most shocking episodes of piracy in the nineteenth century. Although the captain and many members of the crew were murdered by the pirates led by the notorious Benito de Soto, some survived, escaped and sailed the ship back to Britain. This book, based on extensive original research in Britain, Spain and Brazil, retells the story of the Morning Star, provides much new detail and corrects errors present in the many contemporary accounts of the attack. It sets the attack in the wider context of piracy in the period, and discusses many issues which the episode highlights: how pirates' careers began and developed; how they were pursued and tried, often with difficulty; what became of their treasure; how stories of the attack and of the survivors were sensationalised; how the women passengers on the ship endured their ordeal at the hands of the pirates and then, back in Britain, had to endure potential loss of their reputations.Trade ReviewAn authoritative and interesting book. * NAVAL REVIEW *As one of very few studies to question the conventional understanding of Atlantic world piracy as having been all but eradicated by the early decade of the eighteenth century, this book is important and worthy of our attention. * THE NORTHERN MARINER/LE MARIN DU NORD *Sarah Craze's study is well researched, and the footnotes are comprehensive and expansive.[...] the narrative is very readable and I would highly recommend it. * FACHRS *Table of ContentsList of Illustrations Preface Acknowledgements 1.Captain Johnson sparks a media storm 2.The day pirates attacked the Morning Star 3.A pirate bargain - women and sexual violence at sea 4.Pirates of the 1820s 5.On the Defensor de Pedro 6.Cashing in 7.The pirates on trial 8.The pirates who came next Epilogue Select Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisProvides a comprehensive overview of the activities of the British navy in the Indian and Pacific Oceans from the earliest times to the present. This book outlines the early voyages of the English East India Company, its building of its own naval forces and its conflicts with Indian states. It examines the opening up of the Pacific Ocean, the wars with the French in the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries and the activities of the British navy in the later nineteenth century, both off the coasts of China and Japan, and also in the many other places to which the navy's very great power extended. It goes on to consider the wars of the twentieth century, Britain's withdrawal from east of Suez, and Britain's continuing relative decline. Throughout, the book provides accounts of battles and other actions, and relates the activities of the British navy to the wider political situation and to the activities of other European and Asian navies.Trade ReviewThis is a huge canvas, and John Grainger draws on his considerable experience as a naval author to give the reader an overview and hopefully a stimulus for further research. -- Jon Wise * Warship *Creates an engaging narrative which is far more accessible than older reference volumes that precede this work. In addition to providing a chronology for scholars, it will also prove to be a very enjoyable text for interested non-specialist readers. * INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MARITIME HISTORY *This text equips those thinking about the future of the region to understand the strategic advantage that the sea provides. -- Andrew Lambert * THE MARINER'S MIRROR *Table of ContentsIntroduction Part I: The Company and the Bombay Marine 1. The Company's Early Struggles (1600-1625) 2. The Company Survives (1625-1680) 3. Interlopers and Union (1680-1710) 4. Wider Interests, Greater Threats (1710-1750) Part II. The Bombay Marine and the Royal Navy 5. British Dominance Established (1748-1763) 6. The French Threat Continues (1763-1782) 7. The Decisive War (1782-1783) 8. A Ring of Enemies (1783-1803) 9 Destroying all Rivals (1803-1811) Part III: The Royal Navy and the Indian Navy 10. The Company Reduced, its Empire Expanded (1811-1838) 11. Imperial Warfare (1838-1863) 12. The British Lake (1863-1935) 13. A Successful Defence (1935-1945) 14. Imperial Withdrawal (1945 and after) Bibliography

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Book Synopsis‘The Making of the Modern Chinese Navy’ includes 14 historical case studies that help to illuminate a number of special characteristics of the modern-day Chinese navy most Chinese naval officers perhaps take for granted, including a belief in the Mandate of Heaven, tributary system and the fear of ‘losing face’ either in a diplomatic setting or by risking valuable equipment in battle. Ethnic and language differences, regional loyalties and political mistrust potentially exacerbate these problems. Special peculiarities include the Mongol dual-officer diarchy that led to the political commissar system utilized by the People’s Liberation Army. Outside influences, such as blockade, sanctions or embargoes, can exert a profound impact on China, just as foreign intervention or, equally important, a decision not to intervene, can often determine the outcome of major maritime events. [NP] The 14 case studies discuss many of these characteristics, while the Conclusion examines all case studies together and places them in a historical perspective. ‘The Making of the Modern Chinese Navy’assesses which of these historical characteristics and peculiarities are still present in full force in China and which ones may no longer have as great an impact on the contemporary Chinese navy.Trade Review“Professor Elleman’s concise and highly readable descriptions of key naval encounters from the tenth through the twenty-first centuries provide admirable historical depth. This book will serve well as a useful overview for non-specialists and as a jumping-off point for readers who hope to explore specific aspects of China’s naval history in greater detail.” —Harold M. Tanner, Professor of Chinese History and Fellow, Military History Center, Department of History, University of North Texas, USATable of ContentsIntroduction: The Special Characteristics and Peculiarities of China’s Maritime History; 1. Battle of Bạch Đằng River (938); 2. Battle of Yaishan (1279); 3. Battle of Lake Poyang (1363); 4. Ming-Kotte War in Southeast Asia (1410); 5. Ming Loyalists Flee to Taiwan (1661–83); 6. Battle of Chuanbi (1839); 7. Sino-French War (1883–84); 8. Qing Beiyang Fleet’s Defeat in the Battle of the Yellow Sea (1894); 9. Chinese Decision to Sink Nationalist Navy as Blockships (1937); 10. ‘Chongqing’ Mutiny Allowing the PLA to Cross the Yangzi River (1949); 11. The Taiwan Strait Crises (1954–55 and 1958); 12. China’s Decision to Take the Paracel Islands from South Vietnam (1974); 13. Missile Blockade: The Taiwan Strait Crisis (1995–96); 14. The EP-3 Standoff and Diplomatic Resolution (2001); Conclusion: The Influence of History on the Formation of the Modern Chinese Navy; Appendices; Selected Bibliography; Index.

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Book SynopsisAttention all Shipping Forecast fans. Set sail on a voyage unlike any other...Each day, millions tune in to hear the Shipping Forecast's unique cadence and poetry, words thatturn our island landscape into something strangeand magical. It's almost like a puzzle to be solved...The Shipping Forecast Puzzle Book tests your general knowledge and lateral thinking through a series of fiendish puzzles, in which all the answers can be found on a map as place names on the coasts or in the seas. For example:· An eagle's under this· What a Komodo Dragon really is· Near where someone was horribly cruel to 343 felinesAnd because your voyages trace the shapes of letters of the alphabet, that's just the beginning...With a foreword by Zeb Soanes, the voice of the Shipping Forecast, and fully illustrated with specially commissioned maps, The Shipping Forecast Puzzle Book will help make you a Master of the quizzing world.Trade Review'Alan Connor embraces all the idiosyncratic history of the Shipping Forecast and impishly crafts a cryptic voyage of the mind' * Zeb Soanes, the voice of the Shipping Forecast, from his foreword *

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Book SynopsisSuspended between sea and sky, battered by the waves and the wind, lighthouses mark the battlelines between the elements. They guard the boundaries between the solid human world and the primordial chaos of the waters; between stability and instability; between the known and the unknown. As such, they have a strange, universal appeal that few other manmade structures possess. Engineered to draw the gaze of sailors, lighthouses have likewise long attracted the attention of soldiers and saints, artists and poets, novelists and filmmakers, colonizers and migrants, and, today more than ever, heritage tourists and developers. Their evocative locations, their isolation and resilience have turned these structures into complex metaphors, magnets for stories. This book explores the rich story of the lighthouse in the human imagination.Trade Review'Hauntingly beautiful, dazzlingly written and brimming with amazing information, Where Light in Darkness Lies is brilliant on lighthouses as symbols of the human struggle for survival and meaning in the face of an ever-encroaching darkness. With her extraordinary eye for detail and evocatively poetic language, Veronica della Dora guides us effortlessly through history, geography, literature, religion, art, film and, not least, actual lighthouses, changing the way we see and understand the world.' – Maximos Constas

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Book SynopsisAt a time when everything is constantly changing, it can be comforting to look back. British Passenger Liners in Colour is just that: a look back at a time when the British-flag passenger fleet spanned the world from Southampton to South America.Using glorious full-colour images, many previously unseen, acclaimed maritime historian William H. Miller embarks on a voyage through a golden era of ocean liners. From Anchor Line to the Union-Castle Line, RMS Aquitania *to MS *Vistafjord, they all return to the high seas in this beautiful book, one for all ocean-liner enthusiasts to enjoy. Shipping Co, Orient Line, P&O and Shaw Savill Line.

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Book SynopsisThe great passenger liners of the twentieth century make for iconic images of maritime history and design. Ships of Splendour presents the development of passenger ships across the twentieth century, from the 1920s, through the 1940s, and the heyday of the 1950s and ’60s, until the onset of the jet age.The fleet includes famous passenger ships, such as the great Cunarders; titans of the North Atlantic, like the United States, France *and *Michelangelo; and other icons, including the Southern Cross, Windsor Castle, Canberra *and *Oriana. Homage is also paid to the smaller liners, which were just as important in shaping the history of modern seafaring – ships such as the Aureol, Batory, Guglielmo Marconi, Hanseatic, Queen of Bermuda and Willem Ruys. Replete with notes, facts and anecdotes about these ships, the history of the passenger liner is broken down ship-by-ship and decade-by-decade. These ships return to the high seas once again in superb detail and vibrant colour.

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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 SynopsisThis volume will detail the history, weapons and tactics of the Japanese destroyers built before the war. This includes the famous Fubuki class (called “Special Type” by the Japanese, which were, when completed in the late 1920's, the most powerful class of destroyers in the world. This design forced all other major navies to follow suite and provided the basic design for the next many classes of Imperial Navy destroyers. This book will also cover the three classes built before the Special Type which were based on a German World War I design as well as two classes built after the advent of the Special Type. All of these ships had a rich history as they fought from the first battles of the Pacific War up until the very end when several accompanied the superbattleship Yamato on her death sortie. The final part of the book will be an analysis of the destroyer designs covered in the book which will include an examination of their strengths and weaknesses. The success (or lack of success) of these designs will be discussed and they will be compared to comparable Allied destroyer designs.Trade ReviewThis book is an excellent reference for any modeler or IJN fan. Osprey has added another solid volume to their collection. - IPMS/USATable of ContentsIntroduction/ Japanese naval strategy and the role of the destroyer/ Japanese destroyer tactics/ Japanese destroyer design principles/ Japanese destroyer weapons/ Minekaze class/ Kamikaze class/ Mutsuki class/ Fubuki class/ Akatsuki class/ Hatsuharu class/ Shiratsuyu class/ Analysis and conclusion/ Bibliography/ Index

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Book SynopsisRecounted with his usual level of meticulous historical research, Rod weaves an easily readable account of the build-up to and implementation of Operation Desecrate 1 - the raid undertaken to destroy Japanese ships and aircraft in the lagoons of Palau. He uses his intimate knowledge of shipwrecks to reveal in glorious detail each of the 20 major Japanese WWII shipwrecks lying at the bottom of the Palauan lagoons today. On 30th March, 1944 Grumman F6F Hellcat fighters made an Initial fighter sweep of the lagoon to destroy Japanese air cover. Simultaneously Grumman Avenger torpedo-bombers dropped mines and successive group strikes of torpedo bombers and dive-bombers sank the shipping and destroyed the airfields. Palau was neutralised as a Japanese naval and air base in a repeat of the same Task Force 58 raid, Operation Hailstone, on Truk Lagoon 1,000 miles to the east just six weeks earlier. A number of long-lost wrecks have recently been relocated including a Japanese freighter filled with depth charges and Army helmets. This was found in 1989 but remained unidentified until now - after painstaking research Rod reveals her identify for the first time in the book. Each wreck is covered in detail and is supported by underwater photography and by fabulous illustrations by renowned artist Rob Ward. The shipwrecks of Palau are now revealed.Trade Review'Each of the main wrecks is supported by carefully researched recording of the vessel's history and final demise, together with excellent colour photographs, artist's illustrations and the essential details needed to support a dive. So if you are heading for a dive holiday there, lucky you, and you will need to take this book with you'. Warship World -------------------- 'Rod Macdonald's books are always eagerly awaited, and it is the level of detail that wreck-dive enthusiasts relish. His latest offering Dive Palau: The Shipwrecks, is no exception. ...sits perfectly alongside Dive Truk Lagoon. ...I enjoyed this easy-to-read book from cover to cover, but it would work equally well to dip into for reference'. Diver -------------------- '...a rather magnificent coverage of an action taken on 30 March 1944 in WWII on the island of Palau. ... He has managed in such books to admirably blend a combination of historical research, capable writing, and excellent illustrations. These works add a new dimension to understanding their subject matter, and should be considered well beyond the concepts of "dive books." Highly recommended'. Australian Naval Institute -------------------- 'Indispensable guide to wreck diving in this remote Pacific atoll. ...this is as near a definitive wreck diving guide as you'll ever read. ...the level of technical research in this book is breathtaking. Details such as when an attack was launched, the weight of explosive charge used or the exact power output of a Zero fighter. It's dizzying. ...a phenomenal record. ...brings an almost forgotten piece of war history firmly to life, and knowing exactly what happened in Palau - and why - would add an important new dimension to diving there. If you have an expedition planned, read Rod's book before you go'. British Diver -------------------- 'Diver Rod Macdonald became intrigued by the ship [Helmet Wreck] while researching his latest book Dive Palau - The Shipwrecks, which catalogues a series of wrecks found in the waters around the small Micronesian nation and the history of how they got there'. The Herald -------------------- '...the ideal resource for wreck divers to discover Palau in a different way. ...well-written, so you do not have to struggle through difficult texts and you will be glued to the text until the minute'. Duiken -------------------- `…displays his breadth of knowledge of the numerous ship and plane wrecks scattered around the theatre of the Pacific. … this is a well-researched and readable volume, which present a soundly considered introduction for those interested in World War II history. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in increasing their knowledge of Palau’s history and the Pacific conflict, or the archaeology of deep-water warship sites’. International Journal of Maritime History

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Book SynopsisThe story of Leith-built ships continues in this third volume from just after the conclusion of World War Two to 1965. However, the world was different; the men came back from the front and those women who had been working in the shipyards lost their jobs. All shipyards were experiencing full order books, replacing, or repairing ships lost or damaged in the conflict, but the industry was changing albeit slowly at first. The advent of electric welding would eventually change the way ships were built leading to the demise of the Rivet Squad, which was replaced as a cost cutting exercise as it became the accepted method of ship construction. Henry Robb Shipyard participated in the massive new shipbuilding programme with a great many vessels being ordered from two of the largest customers of the yard. Many orders came from the giant Ellerman Lines, while a great many more were ordered by other customers, such as the Union Steamship Company of New Zealand. The Admiralty also remained a customer and a few large supply ships would be built in this time. In this volume the author has not forgotten the people who were the very fabric of the yard and community. Personal accounts are included from those who built or sailed on these vessels. This is the story of a mighty industry, but one which nonetheless had begun its decline. In the century from 1893, this nation went from producing 80% of all the worlds' commercial ships to producing no commercial ships at all. It is a sad fact, but this volume keeps alive the story of the Leith-built ships and the vibrant industry that once existed.

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Book SynopsisThe Egyptian sector of the Red Sea provides scuba divers with their finest opportunity to explore the most outstanding collection of shipwrecks found anywhere in the world. This edition explores nineteen of the most important and diveable shipwrecks. It also includes details about many of the minor wrecks and a list of more than 250 sunken ships.

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Book SynopsisConcentrates on the Bute West, Bute East and Roath Docks, from their beginnings in the 1840s, through the boom years of the 1950s and ''60s to the period of redevelopment and modernisation. This book includes 300 photographs and maps.

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Book SynopsisThe author has acquired a vast wealth of knowledge, data and experience in boat angling, sport and wreck diving over a period of almost 50 years and has written various wreck books, including two volumes about shipwrecks off the north-east coast of England. However, this book is far superior. No other single publication has so much information about the shipwrecks and crews that were lost over this huge region of the North Sea from Whitby to Berwick and up to 40 miles offshore. There are 285 wrecks in total, including 22 located in an area known ominously as the 'Graveyard', about 30 miles off the River Tyne, that has never previously been written about, plus dozens of almost certainly virgin wrecks that are just waiting to be explored! The book is absolutely jam-packed with valuable information and technical data including the ship's builders, past owners, dates and name changes and in many cases the captains' names. Precise WGS84 GPS positions are supplied for each wreck and these have been meticulously checked over several years to ensure they are correct and as accurate as humanly possible. Many of the wrecks are in depths of between 80 and 100 metres - well beyond the range of normal sport divers - but with new technological advances in equipment they offer exhilarating future projects. However, for the boat angler they will be paradise found! Where possible, the ship's previous service history has been supplied, followed by a detailed account of its final voyage/patrol and its demise. Some of the Board of Trade Wreck Reports, survivor and witness statements tell of harrowing and terrifying anecdotes. This is Ron Young's best book to date.Trade Review'Is this the Ultimate book on shipwrecks? After reading it I would unashamedly say yes! It is an extended, unique and comprehensive guide to 285 shipwrecks off the North-East coast of England. ... It is bigger and better and definitely more interesting. An excellent book superbly written and researched, and contains the history of each ship. A superb reference book for the diver, the deep sea wreck fisherman, the historian and, most important of all, the casual reader. ... I can only say now an absolute bargain, and congratulations to the author for a superb book. Recommended.' The Nautical Magazine 'He has amassed huge detail on wrecks from 1850 to the present day, whether sunk by mines, U-boats or accidents, and nobody knows more about the wrecks in that area than the veteran diver.' The Sunday Post '...the details contained in this book are as accurate and as complete as it is humanly possible to achive. Unlike any other book I have read, where there was a loss of life - he also lists the names of those who died. Now that is thorough! In summary, I regard this work as a triumph of meticulous research and would suggest it is probably the 'only' reference material any wreck diver frequenting the north east of England will ever need and is, therefore, thoroughly recommended.' Sport Diver, Ned Middleton 'While the book is primarily aimed at amateur wreck divers, the potted history of each ship is well done and each is fascinating in its own right. Another excellent source book for maritime historians.' Work Boat World 'An excellent well composed book which compiles Ron Young's two previous volumes. A wealth of information is included on all 258 shipwrecks along the north-east coast from Whitby to Berwick including the date loss, the depth, precise GPS positions and a five star rating devised by the author. Meticulously researched, this fascinating volume is recommended to divers, researchers and historians. ... Highly recommended' Sea Breezes

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Book SynopsisDiscover the rich royal history of the area where Henry VIII built his first tournament ground, Elizabeth I took daily walks in the Park and Charles II raced early royal yachts against his brother. In 2012, to celebrate Her Majesty The Queen's Diamond Jubilee, Greenwich officially became a Royal Borough. It was just the third in London, and the honour recognised centuries of royal connections that have shaped the area's history. From late Saxon times to the present day Greenwich has been the backdrop to many notable royal events, from the birth of Henry VIII, to the first public engagement of the future Elizabeth II. Royal Greenwich traces these links and reveals how, through architecture, pageantry, patronage and more, Britain's monarchs have been the creators of historic Greenwich as it exists today.

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Book SynopsisThe image of the pirate never fails to capture the imagination. The cut-throat sea robbers of history who plundered richly laden merchant ships are legendary. The likes of Blackbeard, Captain Kidd and Henry Morgan are romanticised and celebrated in popular culture. But fiction has taken the place of fact. Piracy was more brutal and rebellious than some of the best artistic depictions let on and in reality, few know the truth about this ruthless trade. What is the difference between a buccaneer and a corsair? Did pirates really bury their treasure? Is piracy still a threat to shipping today? Pirates: Fact & Fiction brings together the National Maritime Museum's rich collection of flags, weapons, maps and fine artworks to explain the intriguing history of the pirate trade. It is the first port of call for anyone keen to separate the fact from the fiction.

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Book SynopsisThe archipelagic kingdoms of Man and the Isles that flourished from the last quarter of the eleventh century down to the middle of the thirteenth century represent two forgotten kingdoms of the medieval British Isles. They were ruled by powerful individuals, with unquestionably regnal status, who interacted in a variety of ways with rulers of surrounding lands and who left their footprint on a wide range of written documents and upon the very landscapes and seascapes of the islands they ruled. Yet British history has tended to overlook these Late Norse maritime empires, which thrived for two centuries on the Atlantic frontiers of Britain. This book represents the first ever overview of both Manx and Hebridean dynasties that dominated Man and the Isles from the late eleventh to the mid-thirteenth centuries. Coverage is broad and is not restricted to politics and warfare. An introductory chapter examines the maritime context of the kingdoms in light of recent work in the field of maritime history, while subsequent chronological and narrative chapters trace the history of the kingdoms from their origins through their maturity to their demise in the thirteenth century. Separate chapters examine the economy and society, church and religion, power and architecture.Trade Review'This is a splendid volume. It is a testament to the author’s expertise, built up over two decades of study, that he is able to bring coherence to such a complex history' -- Andrew Rabin * The Medieval Review *

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Book SynopsisWhen Vasa was raised in 1961 a lost world was revealed in astonishing detail. Among the most remarkable finds were the remains of the rigging. Normally shipwrecks offer only a few clues to the structure above the waterline, but on Vasa the lower masts, a myriad of blocks and deadeyes, hundreds of metres of rope and cable and – most astonishingly – nine sails from the ship and its boat survive. The unique finds provide an unparalleled opportunity to reconstruct the rigging in detail and to form an understanding of how ships were sailed in the seventeenth century. With a sail plan, rigging, and steering gear that are substantially different to the classical full-rigged ship of the nineteenth century, the evidence from Vasa paints a vivid picture of ship-handling in the Age of Sail. Vasa II Part 1 presents more than a thousand finds of wood, metal, and cloth from the most complete rig to survive from before 1800, which form the basis for a complete reconstruction of the rig and sailing performance of a large warship of the 1620s.

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Book Synopsis''A wonderfully quirky history'' SUNDAY TIMES''The perfect read while you wait for your summer holiday to begin'' MAIL ON SUNDAY''Quippy anecdotes are woven with historical reference and geographical context to give full colour'' IRISH TIMESA bulwark against invasion, a conduit for exchange and a challenge to be conquered, the English Channel - 21 miles wide at its narrowest point - represents much more than a conductor of goods and people. Criss-crossing the Channel, Charlie Connelly collects its stories and brings them vividly to life, from tailing Oscar Wilde''s shadow through the dark streets of Dieppe to unearthing Britain''s first beauty pageant at the end of Folkestone pier. We learn that Louis Bleriot was actually a terrible pilot, the tragic fate of the first successful Channel swimmer, and that if a man with a buttered head and pigs'' bladders attached to his trousers hadn''t fought off an attack by dogfish we might never have had a ChaTrade ReviewPerfect entertainment for grim times -- Andrew HolgateA wonderfully quirky history . . . funny, sweet-tempered and skips along like a skiff in a fresh breeze . . . A classic of its small, comic kind * Sunday Times *Entertaining ... Bright, breezy, and seasoned with a beguiling poignancy, The Channel is the perfect read while you wait for your summer holiday to begin -- Michael Simkins * MAIL ON SUNDAY *Broadcaster and swimmer Charlie Connelly immerses us in a lively history/travel memoir to tell the story of our island bulwark, from when it was rolling hills to the building of the tunnel. We visit coastal towns and chalk-ridge churches, meet a cast of fascinating characters and learn about the antics of swimmers, pilots and balloonists * COUNTRY LIFE *From Dunkirk, to the English occupation of Calais, to Matthew Webb's great scarlet swimming trunks, the English Channel is brimming with stories. The rich history of this body of water is captured by Charlie Connelly, amateur swimmer, broadcaster and all-round funny fella. Quippy anecdotes are woven with historical reference and geographical context to give full colour ... Connelly's enthusiasm brings each story to life' -- Brigid O'Dea * IRISH TIMES *

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Book SynopsisDive Scapa Flow has been THE definitive guide to diving the fabled wrecks of Scapa Flow, one of the world's greatest wreck diving locations. This completely re-written and updated centenary edition is produced to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the scuttle of the 74 warships of the interned German High Seas Fleet at Scapa Flow on 21st June 1919 - the greatest act of maritime suicide the world has ever seen. The dark depths of Scapa Flow conceal the remains of several of the Kaiser's WWI High Seas Fleet. Three massive 575 feet long 26,000-ton Konig-class battleships await exploration - huge underwater mountains where divers can see the last 12-inch big guns to have fired at British warships at the Battle of Jutland in 1916; or drift along rows of 5.9-inch secondary battery casemate guns and see massive masts and heavily armoured spotting tops. Four 5,000-ton, 500 foot long, kleiner kreuzers, Brummer, Coln, Dresden and Karlsruhe lie on their beam ends open for inspection with parts that remained on the seabed of many other High Seas Fleet vessels as they themselves were lifted to the surface during the greatest feat of underwater salvage that has ever taken place. Add in a U-boat, a boom defence vessel, an Icelandic trawler, a number of drifters, WWII vessels, many 'blockships' intentionally sunk to block the smaller channels into Scapa Flow during WWI and WWII and it becomes apparent what Scapa Flow offers divers. Scapa Flow's war graves, HMS Royal Oak, torpedoed at the beginning of WWII and HMS Vanguard, which blew up in a catastrophic magazine explosion in 1917 and HMS Hampshire, which struck a German mine and sunk on 5th June 1916 north-west of Orkney carrying Lord Kitchener and his staff on a secret diplomatic mission to Russia, are off limits to divers today - but their stories are recounted to preserve the memory of those that perished.Trade Review`This is an outstanding book and I would recommend it’. Shipping Today & Yesterday -------------------- `The photos and detailed wreck sketches definitely get the adrenalin and imagination going. ...I was drawn into a gripping and almost eerie world where one of the largest scuttle of German warships in history had occurred. ...was pleasantly taken aback by the rich history that the book clearly provided. It is well presented and structured to anyone who would want to dive this part of the world or find out about its rich and hidden history'. Little Ship -------------------- `...this is a far more comprehensive book. The most notable addition to this edition is the illustrations. The historic pictures of the ships taken at the time give a tremendous sense of their power... ...this most enjoyable book'. Scottish Diver -------------------- `One book that ardent wreck and Scapa Flow fans ought to grab is Rod Macdonald's `Dive Scapa Flow'. Macdonald's knowledge comes across in his enthusiastic writing. The prose is clear, definitive and loaded with facts, figures and safety information. ...the ideal book to read just before you dive on the wrecks'. Deeper Blue -------------------- `...having read Rod Macdonald's latest publication "The 100th anniversary edition" can I really claim to know about Scapa Flow. ...a compelling read. Rod's description of the dive scene once you get to Scapa Flow is compelling and every divers dream scene, It's a beautiful, informative book and a must have for any divers bookshelf'. SubSea -------------------- `Rod Macdonald writes with clarity and enthusiasm...there is no question that this is the definitive account. The book is loaded with facts and figures... Anyone wanting a dive adventure at the fabled Scapa Flow, or just with an interest in shipwrecks, surely needs this book'. Dive New Zealand | Dive Pacific -------------------- `This indispensable softback guide, at almost 400 pages in length, is a must for any diver interested in shipwrecks, and will also appeal to all those with an interest in maritime and naval history'. The Orcadian -------------------- `Rod's definitive guidebook...has been thoroughly revised and reimagined for a new generation of divers... The trademark illustrations remain, supplemented by sonar pictures and some fabulous new photographs... As with his Palau and Truk books, there's plenty here for fans of military history to get excited over... His knowledge, findings and eyewitness account from the deep, remote location off Orkney make up a fascinating last chapter of the book. ...all of the elements make the centenary edition a must-read for anyone thinking of diving the wrecks of Scapa Flow'. British Diver -------------------- `...I found this book fascinating and informative. Although primarily a guide for those interested in diving...it is much more than that. The book covers military history, naval history, biographies, the economics and history of salvaging wrecks, engineering, tourist information and much more... ...detailed accounts of the location of each of the wrecks and the best means of getting the most out of diving to view them. Essential safety information is also included. ...he [Rod] is also an accomplished writer who is capable of explaining technical details in ways accessible to the general reader'. Am Bratach -------------------- `...the ultimate dive guide to the fabulous Scapa Flow...' Scuba Zone -------------------- `The book is a replete with some excellent photographs and drawings. They are first rate and...enable the reader to understand what it is that attracts all those divers - and there are many of them - to Scapa Flow'. Workboat World -------------------- `This is a classic dive book updated and revised, and a fitting tribute to the memory of all those who perished in that body of water'. Julian Stockwin -------------------- `...gives an insight into what is on offer under the water'. Burnley Express, Rebecca Hay -------------------- `No...wreck-diver...should be without this book... Many books have been written about Britain's world-class wreck-diving attraction. ...but Macdonald's caught divers' imagination not only for its vivid meshing of history with diving narrative, at which he is a master, but for its illustrations. ...this new version...benefits in particular from the latest generation of sonar scans, which reveal exactly how the wrecks appear today. The book has almost doubled in pagination since its original incarnation, but what is impressive is that much of the new edition has been rewritten rather than simply tacking new sections onto old'. Divernet -------------------- `...a superb book. The text is sufficiently detailed to be considered an "everything you ever wanted to know about...", and this is supported by excellent illustrations. This book is required reading for anyone interested in diving, or in Orkney (or both), and guarantees that the definitive guide to diving Scapa Flow will remain exactly that for many years to come'. Undiscovered Scotland

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Book SynopsisA comprehensively researched reference work that details over 430 RFA vessels, including 33 war and marine losses, plus 53 entries showcasing class backgrounds.

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Book SynopsisSituated in the middle of the Irish Sea, the Isle of Man is like a stepping-stone between the lands that surround it. In medieval times, it played an important role in the histories of Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales. This book explores the first part of that turbulent era, tracing the story of the Isle of Man from the fifth to the thirteenth centuries. It looks at the ways in which various peoples – Britons, Scots, Irish, English and Scandinavians – influenced events in Man over a period of more than 800 years. A large portion of the book is concerned with the Vikings, a group whose legacy – in place names, old burial mounds and finely carved stones – is such a vivid element in the Manx landscape today.Trade Review'an accessible and well written account of over eight centuries of the island's history that also appears to be superbly researched' -- Ken Lussey * Undiscovered Scotland *'an easy-to-read account, clearly set out, enabling the reader to dip in and out of the narrative' -- Allison Fox * Current Archaeology *'A good introduction to Manx history and Clarkson has been particularly impressive in his ability to create a coherent account of the pre-Viking period' -- Alex Woolf * Mariner's Mirror *

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Book SynopsisHistories of remote islands around Japan are usually told through the prism of territorial disputes. In contrast, Takahiro Yamamoto contends that the transformation of the islands from ambiguous border zones emerged out of multilateral power relations. Demarcating Japan shows the crucial role of nonstate actors in formulating a territory.

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Winner of the Bentley Book Prize, World History Association""[A] deeply researched study. . . . Distant Shores succeeds in its objective to further nuance the conventional narrative of China’s decline throughout the long 19th century by shifting the gaze to the southeastern littoral."---Yorim Spoelder, Asian Review of Books"[An] excellent study. . . . This compelling work not only provides a fresh look at the rationale behind the first Opium War, but also importantly deconstructs the rhetoric of the widely accepted fundamental divergence of Europe and China supposed to have developed starting in the eighteenth century."---Bart Dessein, Journal of the European Association for Chinese Studies

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Book SynopsisNaval operations and warfare were (and remain) a key element for mapping. This beautiful book looks at a series of key conflicts from the sixteenth century to the present day and explains how they were represented through mapping and how the maps produced helped naval commanders to plan their strategy. There are plentiful maps and a good story to tell, both about naval history and about mapping at sea. Conflicts covered include the the American Revolution, Spanish Armada, the Napoleonic Wars, the First and Second World Wars, and the Korean and Vietnam Wars.

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Book SynopsisThis bold, innovative book promises to radically alter our understanding of the Atlantic slave trade, and the depths of its horrors. Smallwood offers a penetrating look at the process of enslavement from its African origins through the Middle Passage and into the American slave market.Trade ReviewStephanie Smallwood's Saltwater Slavery sets a new standard. It is at once a harrowing evocation of the Middle Passage, a brilliant account of the ways that Africans and Europeans made sense of the bloody process in which they were joined, and a subtle critique of the categories of historical inquiry. Here we see realized the enormous promise of a genuinely Atlantic approach to the history of American slavery. -- Walter Johnson, author of Soul by SoulW.E.B. Du Bois called the African slave trade the 'most magnificent drama in the last thousand years of human history.' Stephanie Smallwood captures this drama in imaginative and innovative ways, offering a powerful account of the maritime origins of African-America amid the profound violence of the world market. -- Marcus Rediker, co-author of The Many-Headed Hydra: Sailors, Slaves, Commoners and the Hidden History of the Revolutionary AtlanticNo study of the Atlantic slave trade has attempted to penetrate the darkness of those ships' holds, to explore what might have gone on in the minds of the hundreds of nameless people trapped below decks—until now. Smallwood gets there through a tour de force of theoretical sophistication, sensitive informed imagination, and dramatic writing. Hers is the most original and provocative book on the Middle Passage in almost half a century. -- Joseph C. Miller, author of Way of Death: Merchant Capitalism and the Angolan Slave Trade 1730–1830Stephanie Smallwood's Saltwater Slavery is the new starting point for studies of the Middle Passage and required reading for students of the black Atlantic. -- Ira Berlin, University of Maryland, author of Many Thousands GoneSmallwood aims to move away from the numbers game that has ensnared so many other historians studying the Middle Passage. Instead of ledgers and account books, she uses letters, journals, and narratives from around the trade route to get closer to the slave experience itself. As the narrative follows the progress of the newly enslaved across the Middle Passage, Smallwood's use of quotes brings to life the everyday horror experienced by 'Saltwater Slaves,' as Africans first arriving in the Americas were described at the time. -- Kathryn V. Stewart * Library Journal *In this stark depiction of slaves and their 'utter alienation from the most basic norms of everyday life,' Smallwood simultaneously delivers a lucid popular history and expands scholarly understanding of slavery with a thorough, clear-eyed look at the dreaded Middle Passage and how it shaped the slave experience… Smallwood is particularly adept at portraying, in detail, the unbearable conditions of the slave ships… Extensive research, much of it from primary sources, forms Smallwood's basis, but she has a storyteller's knack for well-pitched anecdotes and pointed examples. * Publishers Weekly *This deeply researched, tightly focused, and skillfully evocative look at the Atlantic slave trade, 1675–1725, details the experience of crossing the ocean—an ordeal fatal to many of the slaves who were forced to undertake it. * The Atlantic *Stephanie E. Smallwood's excellent book Saltwater Slavery has attracted less attention than it deserves. Making careful use of the primary sources at [the National Archives at] Kew, Smallwood follows 300,000 captives taken from what is now Ghana, between 1675 and 1725, to 'widening circles of the diaspora in the Americas.' …An ambitious, innovative and highly successful feature of her book is to take what is known about the beliefs of the isolated societies from which slaves were taken—communities who in some cases had never seen white people, the ocean or a ship—to offer a carefully controlled imaginative reconstruction of how the embarked slaves may have conceptualized the 'saltwater' experience and attempted to reconcile what they saw with their existing world view. -- William St. Clair * Times Literary Supplement *Table of ContentsIntroduction 1. The Gold Coast and the Atlantic Market for People 2. Turning African Captives into Atlantic Commodities 3. The Political Economy of the Slave Ship 4. The Anomalous Intimacies of the Slave Cargo 5. The Living Dead aboard the Slave Ship at Sea 6. Turning Atlantic Commodities into American Slaves 7. Life and Death in Diaspora Conclusion: Saltwater Slavery in Memory and History Notes Index

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