THE OCEAN

The purpose of the book as stated in the well known author's preface is ""to stimulate interest in the sea 'and all that therein is'"". Exploration, history, ships and individual sailing craft as well as fish, the content of sea water and the electronic marvels developed to move ships more swiftly with greater safety are a few of the many aspects discussed. It is a conversational discourse and Villiers brings to it personal anecdotes of sailing in exotic waters in the more unusual vessels-- dhows, fishing schooners, even a replica of a 16th century bark. His enthusiasm and intense curiosity about all seafaring communicates itself well.