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lilyreads01's review
4.0
The Ship Asunder by Tom Nancollas is a fascinating and original tour of maritime history. Throughout his book the author constructs the image and identity of a British ship from eleven relics of seafaring history including a prow, hull and anchor. The book includes accounts from naval architects, shipwrights, fishermen, shipwrecks, trade and war that examine the richness and complexity of Britain’s maritime history and seagoing traditions. It is a beautiful, personal exploration around Britain that examines the triumphs and tragedies that happened at sea. This book is perfect for fans of nonfiction and history about social issues, politics and myths from the perspective of the constantly shifting landscape of the sea. Enchanting 4 Stars ✨.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a review copy of this book in exchange for honest feedback.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a review copy of this book in exchange for honest feedback.
adriana69's review
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
4.75
This is a fabulous book. A history of Britain through 11 ships.
Prowse, trumpet (yes trumpet), propeller via Billingsgate, Chatham, Portsmouth, the Scillies and Portmeirion.
Told age by age through an object or ships part in each place.
And the author visits, so quite vivid and personal and beautifully written. Highly informative and recommended.
I have also read his book Seashaken Houses on Britain's rock lighthouses and that is superb too.
Prowse, trumpet (yes trumpet), propeller via Billingsgate, Chatham, Portsmouth, the Scillies and Portmeirion.
Told age by age through an object or ships part in each place.
And the author visits, so quite vivid and personal and beautifully written. Highly informative and recommended.
I have also read his book Seashaken Houses on Britain's rock lighthouses and that is superb too.
jennyhk's review
Weaving together stories of great naval architects and unsung shipwrights, fishermen and merchants, shipwrecks and superstition, pilgrimage, trade and war, The Ship Asunder celebrates the richness of Britain’s seafaring tradition in all its glory and tragedy, triumph and disaster, and asks how we might best memorialise it as it vanishes from our shores.
I enjoyed reading this book. It’s a tour of Britain’s ports, coasts and islands with an imaginary ship built from fragments acquired across the centuries. Being surrounded by the sea can have a profound effect on a person, and we all love to escape to the coast when we can. The next best thing surely is reading a good book about it!
I enjoyed reading this book. It’s a tour of Britain’s ports, coasts and islands with an imaginary ship built from fragments acquired across the centuries. Being surrounded by the sea can have a profound effect on a person, and we all love to escape to the coast when we can. The next best thing surely is reading a good book about it!
outsmartyourshelf's review
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
Britain's history is synonymous with the sea - being an island, we are surrounded by it. Boats, ships, & their assorted paraphernalia are entwined with British life from our language, to our penal codes (picking oakum) & political & military history. The author takes features from ships from different historical periods & melds them into "The Ship Asunder". It includes a prehistoric prow, a mast from a Victorian steamship, & the propeller of an ocean liner. The book moves forward through time, from the early oar propelled boats of the prehistoric, Roman, & Medieval periods, to harnessing the power of the wind for the age of the sail, through to the enormous liners such as the Lusitania. From the pinnacle of British naval might with Lord Nelson to the role of ships in the shameful slave trade.
There's a lot of carefully researched information here - I particularly enjoyed the section on Medieval ships - imagining them sailing into harbour, flags flying, with their heralds ready to blow their horns to announce their arrival. I was intrigued to see Winchelsea mentioned, I had heard of it before but knew nothing about it, yet in the last two weeks have now read two books which cover its history. Overall it's an interesting, informative read if you have an interest in maritime & naval history. I enjoyed it so much I bought the author's book on historic lighthouses for a future read.
My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Penguin Press UK, Allen Lane, Particular, Pelican, for the opportunity to read an ARC. I am voluntarily giving an honest review.
There's a lot of carefully researched information here - I particularly enjoyed the section on Medieval ships - imagining them sailing into harbour, flags flying, with their heralds ready to blow their horns to announce their arrival. I was intrigued to see Winchelsea mentioned, I had heard of it before but knew nothing about it, yet in the last two weeks have now read two books which cover its history. Overall it's an interesting, informative read if you have an interest in maritime & naval history. I enjoyed it so much I bought the author's book on historic lighthouses for a future read.
My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Penguin Press UK, Allen Lane, Particular, Pelican, for the opportunity to read an ARC. I am voluntarily giving an honest review.
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