Lighthouses of the World

Publisher: Adlard Coles Nautical; £19.99
Publication Date: 2008

Superb colour illustrations of one hundred and fifty lighthouses from fifty six countries around the world are presented appropriately in a tall narrow format. The majority were photographed in fine weather. Each has a page to itself, supported bgy a brief description and history, with the amenities for visitors. They range from the Pharos of Alexandria from nearly three hundred years BC to the Fastnet Rock of 1904 and the Islas Hornos lighthouse at Cape Horn built in 1991. The introduction emphasises the comforting quality of beacons and lights, even with satellite aids to navigation, and considers the continuing importance of lighthouses. Different types and construction are described with the history of the fuels they used, from wood to solar power. The development from Fresnel’s lens and totally reflecting mirrors of 1822, which displaced metal reflectors, are covered briefly through to the compact discharge lamps of the present day. The reviewer is a little puzzled by the use of “infamous” in relation to a reference to Charles Darwin but feels this would make a splendid gift book for a sailor who has “swallowed the anchor” – JFP