SHIPS AND SEAMEN: A Pictorial History from the Vikings to the Present Day

Ships and seamen have played extensive roles in the molding of history from the Vikings who manned the longships to the technicians who run atomic submarines. Christopher Lloyd has unified a rare collection of photographs, cartoons, reproductions and diagrams into a brief but informative history of the sea, where the flexibility of format insures attention from beginning to end. The emphasis shifts from the vessels themselves to the exploits of sen captains, pirates and adventures (including the explorers), to historic battles and the ever-changing portrait of life aboard ship. Partial to no one country, the author illuminates those historic events and heydays of sea prowess wherever they occurred. How events dictated the physical transformation of ships down through the ages is perhaps a consistent underlying theme. Since Mr. Lloyd strives to present little-known facts on whatever topic he focuses and since the text is really a supplement to 400 pictures, this should appeal to both the well read naval enthusiast and superficial browser.