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Brian Lavery

    July 18, 1945

    Brian Lavery is a British naval historian and author whose work delves into the intricacies of maritime history and its profound impact. His writings are characterized by a deep understanding of naval conflicts and life at sea. He draws upon extensive knowledge gained through years of dedicated research and curatorial experience. Lavery's prose brings the captivating world of naval history vividly to life for readers.

    Brian Lavery
    The Ship of the Line II.
    Ship Models
    Nelson's Navy
    The Frigate Surprise. The Design, Construction and Careers of Jack Aubrey's Favourite Command
    The Ship of the Line I. The Development of the Battlefleet 1650-1850
    Ship : 5,000 years of maritime adventure
    • 2023

      The first comparative and comprehensive analysis of the British and American navies. Illustrated throughout with a rich collection of photographs. Offers many original insights into how the naval war was fought.

      Two Navies Divided
    • 2022

      Royal Yachts Under Sail

      • 208 pages
      • 8 hours of reading

      Focusing on the evolution and functions of royal yachts, this book provides an in-depth exploration of their historical significance and design. It highlights the craftsmanship, luxury, and technological advancements that have shaped these vessels over time, as well as their role in royal ceremonies and state affairs. The narrative offers insights into the cultural and political contexts surrounding royal yachting, making it a unique resource for enthusiasts of maritime history and royal traditions.

      Royal Yachts Under Sail
    • 2021

      Down to Earth

      • 304 pages
      • 11 hours of reading

      The narrative evokes the vibrant and tumultuous atmosphere of 1970s Australia, capturing the impact of significant events like the Vietnam War and the Cold War. It explores the cultural shifts of the era, highlighting the political landscape, the rise of counterculture, and the music that defined a generation. Through a nostalgic lens, the book reflects on the hopes and aspirations of the time, inviting readers to remember and reconnect with a pivotal decade in Australian history.

      Down to Earth
    • 2021
    • 2020

      Cassini's Vision

      • 234 pages
      • 9 hours of reading

      The story follows Giovanni Cassini, a young Italian astronomer whose groundbreaking observations reveal the true nature of the heavens, challenging long-held ancient beliefs about stars and planets. His discoveries mark a pivotal moment in humanity's understanding of the cosmos, shifting perspectives from mythological explanations to scientific inquiry. This narrative highlights the clash between tradition and emerging knowledge in the realm of astronomy.

      Cassini's Vision
    • 2019

      A Short History of Seafaring

      • 400 pages
      • 14 hours of reading

      A fascinating journey through more than 5,000 years of seafaring history in this essential guide to the most impressive seafaring tales, explorers, and maritime environments. For more than 5,000 years, the seas have challenged, rewarded, and punished the brave sailors who set forth to explore it. This history of the seas and sailing tells the remarkable story of those individuals - whether they lived to tell the tale themselves or not. From the early Polynesian seafarers and the first full circumnavigations of the globe, to explorers picking their way through the coral reefs of the West Indies, this book tells the compelling story of life at sea that lies behind man's search for new lands, new trade, conquest, and uncharted waters. Charting the great milestones of nautical history from the discovery of America to the establishment of the Royal Navy, the naval history of the American Civil War, the Battle of Midway and modern piracy the book sets all of them in their cultural and historical context. Previously published as The Conquest of the Ocean, A Short History of Seafaring is a unique compendium of awe-inspiring tales of epic sea voyages and great feats of seamanship, navigation, endurance, and ingenuity.

      A Short History of Seafaring
    • 2018

      The Royal Navy Officer's Pocket-Book

      • 144 pages
      • 6 hours of reading

      ""The art of command is...to be the complete master, and yet the complete friend of every man on board; the temporal lord and yet the spiritual brother of every rating; to be detached and yet not dissociated.' A Seaman's Pocket-Book, 1943', has found huge appeal with the British public. Presented in the same format, the Officer's Handbook gathers together useful advice and instruction for those naval officers fighting the Second World War on all aspects of their job, expressed in the benevolent language of the day, when authority was respected. The Handbook has been compiled and edited by Brian Lavery, who provides commentary and an introduction. Sections include: the Officer's Aid Memoire containing notes of the training course at one of the officer training schools; Notes for medical officers and treatment of battle casualties afloat; Notes for captains on taking command of their first ship; Notes for commanding officers; Notes on the handling and safety of ships and notes on dealing with disobedience and mutiny. While suffused with nostalgia and charm, the various contents of this book are an authentic presentation of matters of training, authority and deportment in the wartime navy. The book is sure to appeal not only to those who served in the war or had a relative who was in the officer class, but also to anyone who wants to gain a greater understanding of the day-to-day administration of the wartime navy.

      The Royal Navy Officer's Pocket-Book
    • 2018

      A Seaman's Pocketbook

      • 128 pages
      • 5 hours of reading

      At the height of the Second World War this small pocket-book was issued to all ratings on board ships of the Royal Navy. In straight period prose it outlines all the basic expressions and tasks a seaman needed to know to perform his duties efficiently. Chapters are broken down into: Sea Terms; Navigation; Steering the Ship; Rigging; Anchors and Cables; Boatwork; Miscellaneous (which includes details on uniform and folding a hammock, etc); and Ship Safety. Functional black line illustrations are used throughout, as well as a few pages of colour (used sparingly) for flag recognition. Faithfully reproduced, with a short introduction by Brian Lavery, which explains the importance of a book like this to a navy that had to take on vast numbers of civilians or Hostilities Only men to meet the manning needs of the war, this volume provides a real mixture of wartime nostalgia and historical authenticity. It makes a world now lost to us accessible again, explaining as it does the terms, skills and conventions of ship board life, a life that required a common language, and where failure to respond to orders instantly could mean the difference between life and death. The book is sure to appeal to those who served in the war as well as the current generation who are becoming increasingly interested in the role their grandparents, fathers and uncles played during that time.

      A Seaman's Pocketbook
    • 2017

      Ship : 5,000 years of maritime adventure

      • 400 pages
      • 14 hours of reading
      4.5(17)Add rating

      From the earliest dugout canoes and the boats of the Ancient Egyptians, to the most technologically advanced modern battleships and cruise-liners, this is the ultimate guide to every aspect of the ship, and those who have sailed them. Embark on an epic voyage to find out all about the endeavours of the great explorers as they mapped the globe, and see the impact ships have had on trade and industry across the years. Learn about the dramatic historical conflicts in which ships played a vital role, and take a look at seafaring for pleasure and trace fishing through the ages. This new compact edition is produced in association with the National Maritime Museum, and features every conceivable type of sea-going vessel, from caravels and galleons, warships and yachts to clippers and cruise-liners. Previous edition ISBN 9781405353366

      Ship : 5,000 years of maritime adventure
    • 2017

      SS Great Britain Manual

      • 160 pages
      • 6 hours of reading

      New in paperback. An insight into the design, construction, operation, maintenance and conservation of the most famous passenger ship survivor of the Victorian age.

      SS Great Britain Manual