This is such a good tale, and there is so much incident, that one hardly realizes that it is actually an excellent vocational book, recounting as it does, the training processes of an aspirant for a post in the U. S. Merchant Marine. There is lots of information about the background and personalities, along with the step by step procedure in the stiff practical course now demanded. Should provide a good stimulus to interest on the part of youths who cannot all go to Annapolis.