Naval Miscellany - Tapa dura

"NO FOC'SLE'S fully furnished without it. Angus Konstam's appealingly presented sampler brings together all manner of maritime lore. From the bowline to the boatswain's pipe; from the Top 10 knots to Nelson's funeral; minesweeping methods and memorable quotations; anchor design, the articles of war, acronyms of the US Navy, notable ship's mascots, figureheads and landlocked navies. Konstam has been around the Horn a fair few times as a naval historian: immense learning worn lightly, entertainingly presented, are the keynotes." -"The Scotsman ""While many miscellanies (trivia books) are primarily a compilation of lists, Konstam opted to write fascinating articles to whet the reader s appetite. His intent was to appeal not only to naval enthusiasts, but anyone with a curiosity about naval history... What makes "Naval Miscellany "such a delight to read is I can pick and choose the titles that most appeal to me or skip around, rather than reading the book from beginning to end. Although a hardback, the book is the size of a paperback that contains a chest full of treasures to scintillate the mind." -Cindy Vallar, "Pirates and Privateers ""Offers a sailor's collection of nautical qualities and facts about the sea, blending yarns about pirates and escapades with rowdy songs and history to make for a rollicking, fun read. Any sailor will find this an outstanding presentation, and any nautical library will also relish the variety of stories and experiences." -"The Midwest Book Review""

For armchair admirals, history buffs, and naval enthusiasts everywhere, "A Naval Miscellany" is an indispensible and entertaining collection of fascinating and little-known facts, anecdotes, lists, curiosities and stories from our naval past. Forgotten heroes, amazing blunders, surprising trivia, and strange-but-true stories are all included. Who were the naval heroes of the ancient world, and the world's worst admirals? How much did a midshipman get paid in the eighteenth century? What are the origins of sea shanties? Where are the biggest naval bases in the world today? And how does a ship float? It's all here in this little book that will amaze and enlighten even the most avid student of naval history!