The Age of Sail

The broad based research of committed marine historians has been picked up on by the wider media, leading to a growing public interest which is further stimulated by innovative television series which portray maritime history as genuinely interesting and exciting.

The reported $135m committed by Fox Studios to dramatise the excellent Patrick O’Brian books could open floodgates of additional interest.

The Age of Sail seeks to reflect this expanding process by publishing the results of research and report on new initiatives, forthcoming events, recently published books and related media. The annual will also publish and contextualise original historical documents and reproduce previously unseen artwork, ship plans and illustrations.

Each volume will present between ten and twelve fully illustrated articles on various facets of maritime history which are underpinned in the main by new original research.

This Feature Article section is followed by the extensive Sextant Section, which is set out under six headings. It takes the form of a collection of news articles, unpublished documents and illustrations, reports on maritime heritage initiatives, notes and queries. Also included are a diary, advice on sources and techniques, associations dedicated to maritime research and information and, finally, a series of book reviews.

Edited by the noted naval historian Nicholas Tracy, The Age of Sail will provide a continuing feast for naval history enthusiasts and much to fascinate the general reader as well.

The Age of Sail
Edited by Nicholas Tracy.
Published by Conway Maritime Press.
ISBN 0 85177 925 5.
Hardback, 210 pages.
Price £30.00.