New AcquisitionsMaritime Britain; Paul Heiney; Adlard Coles Nautical, 2005; £12-99; CA: 16561.
Paul Heiney has set out to describe many of the facts one would wish to know when visiting a new or even well loved place around Britain’s hugely varied coast. The cover also states that it is “A Celebration of Britain’s Maritime Heritage” which sums up well the author’s intentions.
The information is divided into seven sections, each covering, in essence, two or three Shipping Forecast areas. Britain has a wealth of maritime history and Paul sets out to tell one just enough to whet your appetite and make you want to see and know more about coastal museums, historic ships, lifeboats and lighthouses and how they all fit together making up the glorious picture of British seafaring tradition. It is a handy sized publication – 5” x 7½” – soft back, exceedingly well printed with a firm cover. There is a helpful sketch map at the start of each section, and the illustrations and photographs, mostly in colour, are delightful.
Those places I know personally are accurately described and, importantly, information is included which I had not previously known, so I am optimistic over visiting any (to me) new area. I have found it to be one of the best “must have” books that have come my way for several years in so much that I have purchased my own copy so as to have the pleasure of dipping into it when ever I wish. - FT
Page prepared 8 September 2005
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