Synopsis
British fishermen, crusaders,
Explorers, smugglers, traders,
Inventors, convicts, settlers in the hold.
Pirates, shipwrights, whalers,
And our navies' trusted sailors:
Presented here, in verse, their histories told.
Since before Great Britain became an island, through the age
when supremacy at sea established the largest empire the world has known, and
moving right up to the present day, the nation's maritime history is told in a
unique way, in this celebratory gift book - Britannia's Glory. Written in
memorable verse, with narrative side notes, quotations and a number of original
drawings, it is designed to be easily digested and dipped into, (rather than
swallowed whole). Offering comprehensive coverage, its topics include piracy,
privateering, disappearing villages, smuggling, seaside resorts, the iniquitous
slave trade and why the seas round our coast afford limitless potential for the
production of renewable energy. The reader will discover elements such as wars,
battles and (sometimes unconventional) naval tactics, alongside ship
development, fishing, trade, ports, dockyards, lighthouses, maps and
navigation. There are tales of settlers, mutineers, heroic explorers and daring
saboteurs, as well as ingenious inventors and other land-based folk earning
their livings manufacturing rope or gutting herring. All contributed to a
history that looks so very different when viewed from the sea. As a country, we
may not know where we're going, but we certainly know where we've come from.
"A fantastic history of the sea. . . . Utterly interesting history of the seaside and boats."--BBC Radio Sheffield "Rony Robinson"; 'Virtually every page contains a text in verse on the left-hand side, while on the right are excellent notes and facts, usually supported by relevant artwork. I guarantee you will learn a lot on a huge range of maritime subjects but the time you have navigated the 296 pages....A superb book worth every penny' Model Boats magazine; '[A] tour de force of lively, witty writing underpinned by conscientious research' Nautilus Telegraph, Book of the Month; 'You name it and she's found a verse about it. Hallsands shingle beach dropping by 12 feet, Brixham trawlers, sustainable fishing, the origin of the Plimsoll Line and the true meaning of POSH...it's all there and absolutely fascinating' Devon Life