Stanley Rogers (1888–1961)

I think that "charming" is the appropriate adjective for this book. A relic of bygone days, like the windjammers that are its subject.

The "I Spy" section at the beginning helps you to identify different types of sailing ships (knowledge of which is both fascinating and inevitably doomed to be forgotten).

Then there are chapters on famous, and not-so-famous but remarkable nonetheless, navigators and explorers, a chapter on sailors' jargon (without the more "robust" language, of course), sailing superstitions, whalers and famous ships, rounded off with tales of shipwrecks, lost treasures and survivals at sea.

All this is rounded off by the author's own illustrations, which help bring the subjects to life.

An enjoyable and diverting read.… (meer)