Thomas Wilson Books

This book brings some realism to the idea of the "Jolly Jack Tars" who were supposed to have lived worry-free lives of adventure on the waves in those oh-so-romantic sailing ships that we see in those romantic paintings and movies. Here is the true story of a man who went “through the mill”, under all conditions, in every ocean, and describes his experience in a dozen or more deep water sailing vessels during the period from 1880 to 1910. The reader will find that the life was far from ”jolly”, and was generally a tough, sometimes violent, sometimes boring, but often dangerous existence, all sustained by poor pay and inadequate, often rotten food. But it's not all doom and gloom. For the sailing enthusiast, he/she will be treated to an accurate account of how these old ships were sailed and handled in all kinds of weather.

The Pitman's Pay and Other Poems is a collection of powerful and poignant verse that explores themes of labor, justice, and injustice. Wilson's deft use of language and imagery make this collection a must-read for anyone interested in the power of poetry to move and inspire.

In this lively and opinionated work, Thomas Wilson offers a biting critique of British foreign policy in the mid-19th century. He argues that the Grey-Whigs and Cotton-Whigs, two factions within the Liberal Party, were more concerned with protecting their own economic interests than with advancing the public good. Wilson also takes aim at Lord Palmerston, the powerful Foreign Secretary, and his support for the Belgian Constitution, which he sees as a betrayal of liberal principles. Full of colorful characters and sharp insights, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in 19th-century British politics.