Sons of the Waves

The Common Seaman in the Heroic Age of Sail

By: Stephen Taylor

Narrated by: Matthew Waterson

A brilliant telling of the history of the common seaman in the age of sail and his role in Britain's trade, exploration, and warfare

British maritime history in the age of sail is full of the deeds of officers like Nelson but has given little voice to plain, "illiterate" seamen. Now, Stephen Taylor draws on published and unpublished memoirs, letters, and naval records, including court-martials and petitions, to present these men in their own words.

In this exhilarating account, ordinary seamen are far from the hapless sufferers of the press gangs. Proud and spirited, learned in their own fashion, with robust opinions and the courage to challenge overweening authority, they stand out from their less adventurous compatriots.

Taylor demonstrates how the sailor was the engine of British prosperity and expansion up to the Industrial Revolution. From exploring the South Seas with Cook to establishing the East India Company as a global corporation, from the sea battles that made Britain a superpower to the crisis of the 1797 mutinies, these "sons of the waves" held the nation's destiny in their calloused hands.

©2020 Stephen Taylor (P)2020 Tantor

From the mouths of the Common Jack

Oh my gosh. What an epic narrative. Beautifully written and an emotional depiction of the realities of life on the sea from the men who lived it.

New perspectives

…..and smooths out my 2 hr commute. Word word word word (count to ya mutha). 15 minimum to rate.

Amazing, everything I want from a book

I’m glad I bought this, so excellent, great writing, many quotes research, freaking wow. Devoured it

Depiction of the Average Seaman

I like reading the histories of Nelson and Pellew, etc , but this book is unique in that it drew a picture of life for the every day sailor. Despite what the author says, in my experience much of that 18th century spirit in sailors is still alive in the crews of the mechanized beasts that prowl the seas today. Traveling the oceans has undoubtedly changed significantly but some things have remained the same.

Navy Guy Recommends this Title

This subject is of particular interest to me. A Factual glimpse into the life and times the of the working sailor during the British Golden Age of Sail. Narrator has an excellent cadence in "BBC-English". No voice acting in this book.