Sea Life in Nelson's Time

by John Masefield

Book Overview

Written by British Poet Laureate John Masefield in 1905, this lyrical tribute to sailors in the Age of Sail captures the grim reality of life at sea. In the clear, muscular English that made him famous, Masefield breathes life into the misery and barbarity that served as a foundation for naval glory. He brilliantly tells the story of the ships of Nelson's Navy, and especially of the sailors, describing the duties of each man, the unwholesome food,...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1557500126
• ISBN13: 9781557500120
• Release Date: May 2002
• Publisher: US Naval Institute Press
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 1.28 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.5" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

Everyday life aboard a Napoleonic-era Ship-of-the-Line

Although now a century old, Masefield's work is still profoundly valuable to anyone interested in life during the age of fighting sail. Despite its age, the text is remarkably pleasant to read and answers probably every question you've ever had about what it was like to live and fight aboard sailing ships in Nelson' Time. From an in-depth presentation of the weapons and their use to an exploration of the food, discipline, and work of the men who served, Masefield covers it all. The numerous illustrations are well-chosen as well, and reinforce Masefield's text. I would highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in the period.

Authentic

While there has been much new research and opinions about this subject, no one who is interested in the British Navy during the Napoleonic Wars can pass this book by. The author, aside from being a great poet, sailed tall ships as a sailor before the mast. He has even sailed around the Horn. This gives him an insight into the lives of seaman aboard wooden men-of-war that a modern author cannot achieve. Well worth reading.