Critic Reviews
Good
Based on 3 reviews on
"No other book resurrects the wooden world of Jack Tar in such captivating and voluminous detail."--A. Roger Ekirch, Wall Street Journal
"[A] rollicking narrative. . . . Superb."--Ben Wilson, Times (UK)
British maritime history in the age of sail is full of the deeds of officers like Nelson but has given little voice to plain, "illiterate" seamen. Now Stephen Taylor draws on published and unpublished memoirs, letters, and naval records, including court-martials and petitions, to present these men in their own words.
In this exhilarating account, ordinary seamen are far from the hapless sufferers of the press gangs. Proud and spirited, learned in their own fashion, with robust opinions and the courage to challenge overweening authority, they stand out from their less adventurous compatriots.
Taylor demonstrates how the sailor was the engine of British prosperity and expansion up to the Industrial Revolution. From exploring the South Seas with Cook to establishing the East India Company as a global corporation, from the sea battles that made Britain a superpower to the crisis of the 1797 mutinies, these "sons of the waves" held the nation's destiny in their calloused hands.
"There is much in Taylor's book. It is interesting to see how pragmatically humane the navy could be, particularly in peacetime."--David Mills, Sunday Times
"Smyth excels at presenting singable versions of beloved repertoire . . . highly recommended."--Craig Edwards, WoodenBoat Review
"An excellent book, combining an original approach to the subject with original research. Jack Tar, the quintessential British hero, emerges from this collective biography as a self-confident fellow, part of the collective body that sustained national prosperity, security and power."--Andrew Lambert, author of Nelson
"This enthusiastic account gives a vivid picture of life below decks in the era of the sailing navy. It is a classic of its kind, brimful with riotous episodes and gripping anecdotes anchored in detailed research."--Margarette Lincoln, author of Trading in War
"The Royal Navy had some great leaders but what made their achievements possible was the thousands of unknown and unheard-from seamen who manned these vessels. This book starts the exploration of those fascinating lives."--Sir Robin Knox-Johnston