Andrew Lambert, Conway, ISBN 978 1 84486 076 0

"Warrior" , launched in 1860, was the pride of Queen Victoria's fleet. Powered by steam and sail, she was the largest, fastest and most powerful ship of her day and had a profound effect on naval architecture. Warrior was, in her time, the ultimate deterrent. Yet within a few years she was obsolete...

Warrior was designed and built in response to an aggressive French shipbuilding programme which saw the introduction of the first iron-clad warship "La Gloire" designed by the brilliant naval architect Stanislas Charles Henri Dupuy de Lome. In a bid to see off this challenge to the supremacy of the Royal Navy the First Lord of the Admiralty, Sir John Somerset Pakington, determined to build a ship so superior in terms of quality, speed, size, armament and armour that it would be inconceivable to France that she could take Britain on in a sea battle.

When commissioned by Captain the Hon. Arthur Cochrane, on August 1, 1861, Warrior was the largest warship in the world, at 9,210 tons displacement she was 60 percent larger than "La Gloire".

However having introduced a revolution in naval architecture, by 1864 Warrior was superseded by faster designs, with bigger guns and thicker armour. By 1871 she was no longer regarded as the crack ship she had once been, and her roles were downgraded to Coastguard and reserve services. In May of 1883 her fore and main masts were found to be rotten, and not considered worth the cost of repair, Warrior was placed in the reserve, eventually converted to a floating school for the Navy and re-named "Vernon".

In 1979 she became the subject of an ambitious restoration programme and following eight years work she returned triumphantly to Portsmouth where she is now one of the historic dockyard's key attractions.

This magnificently produced book, a stunning visual record of a revolutionary ship, was published to celebrate the 150th anniversary of her commission. The author Andrew Lambert is Laughton Professor of Naval History in the Department of War Studies at King's College, London. In the book he analyses key elements in the ship's design, construction and career history placing her in context in terms of the development of naval architecture, the Anglo-French naval arms race, influence on tactical thinking and the concept of strategic deterrence.

Andrew Lambert (editor), Conway, ISBN 978 1 84486 076 0

The book is an impressive visual tribute to 360 of the world's most famous and celebrated ships from fact and fiction, history, art and film including Yamamoto, Victory and Captain Nemo's Nautilus.

An introductory essay by Andrew Lambert discusses how the ship has become perhaps the ultimate cultural artefact. The list of distinguished contributors to the notes accompanying each illustration features experts across all fields of maritime endeavour - names such as John Blake, David Cordingly and Geoff Hunt.

A glorious book to dip into on a cold and wet weekend!

John L. Coombes, Exisle, ISBN 090898884 2

This gloriously illustrated book covers the sixteen square-rigged ships that make their home in Australian and New Zealand waters – Alma Doepel, Bounty, Duyfken, Endeavour, Enterprize, James Craig, Lady Nelson, Leeuwin II, One and All, Our Svanen, R Tucker Thompson, Solway Lass, Soren Larsen, Spirit of New Zealand, Windeward Bound and Young Endeavour.

Each of the ships is a piece of living history offering an insight into a way of life that we will not see again.

The book is clearly a labour of love (the result of three years’ work and 48,000 kilometres of travel) and as author/photographer John Coombes says in his introduction (a sentiment that Julian of course heartily endorses): “Tall ships are possibly the most perfect combination of beauty and function that man has been able to design...”

John Bowen, Martin Robson eds, Conway Maritime, ISBN 978-1844-861088

After keeping a log on Julian’s website of the build of his model of Teazer John Thompson was invited to write about his experiences for Shipwright 2010. The result was: “HMS Teazer (1801). Or the Misadventures of a Novice Modeller in the World of Literature”, a 28-page article in the book.

Among the other fascinating pieces, all lavishly illustrated in full colour:-

An Interview with Dr Kevin Fewster, Director of the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich.
The Mary Rose: An Artist’s View by Geoff Hunt RSMA.
HMS Invincible (1747-58): Archaeology Provides 250-Year-Old Technical Details by John M. Bingeman.

This first edition of the Annual has an impressive lineup of material, not only by model makers for model makers but discussions of new findings relating to ship design and construction by experts in their fields.

Paul Brown, Conway Maritime, ISBN 978-1844-860937

In Britain’s ports and up and down her waterways you can find a fascinating array of preserved ships and boats, live historicals you can actually reach out and touch. This historic fleet ranges from the mighty ship-of-the-line HMS Victory to more humble craft like the last surviving British steam coaster Robin. Some of these vessels have taken part in great battles and campaigns – Trafalgar, Jutland and Gallipoli, the Falklands; others represent supreme feats of engineering such as SS Great Britain, took part in legendary races or were involved in exploration or trade.

This beautiful book features over 50 ships and boats, and includes their design, construction, service history, restoration and preservation. The majority of them are open to the public and each has a unique story to tell.

Brian Lavery & Geoff Hunt, Conway Maritime, ISBN 978-1844-860746

There is no more famous vessel in naval fiction than HMS Surprise. This 28 gun frigate also had a most eventful real career serving in both the French and then the Royal Navy following her capture by HMS Inconstant in 1796. She was decommissioned in 1802 and delivered to the fictional captaincy of Jack Aubrey.

This lavishly-illustrated book is a collaboration between naval historian Brian Lavery and marine painter Geoff Hunt and not only reveals the complete career history (both historical and fictional) but presents an all-embracing construction and fitting history.

Collectors of fine sea books will be interested to note that a Limited Edition of the book was produced.

Robert Gardiner Ed, Conway Maritime, ISBN 0-85177-954-9

Re‑released in large‑format paperback, this is the best‑selling title in Conway's authoritative series "History of the Ship".

Although purpose‑built fighting ships had existed earlier, the principal characteristics of the classic sailing ship were only defined in the mid‑seventeenth century.

Each chapter in "The Line of Battle" is by recognised experts in the field, including Karl Heinz Marquardt (the fore and aft rigged warship); Brian Lavery (the ship of the line); and Robert Gardiner (guns and gunnery).

Brian Lavery, Conway Maritime, ISBN 0851 772 528  

This is the first of a two-volume study, regarded as the definitive work in the area. It outlines the history and technical development of the battle fleet from 1650 to 1850. The second volume deals with hull design and construction, rigging, armament and fittings.

John Harland, Conway Maritime ISBN 0 85177 179 3  

When Julian is asked what books he suggests for people to learn more about Kydd's world, he generally recommends Lavery's Nelson's Navy and John Harland's Seamanship in the Age of Sail. Harland's work came out in 1984, and is a classic of its type. Every aspect of handling a man-of-war is detailed and illustrated with superb line drawings by Mark Myers and the book is designed by Geoff Hunt. A definitive guide as to how the ships of Kydd's day were actually sailed.