BOOK REVIEW | The Merchant Navy Seaman – Pocket Manual 1939-1945

Edited by Chris McNab

Another of the delightful and memorable, and still practical, manuals revived by energetic publisher Casemate.

It is difficult to imagine now but, at the outbreak of World War II, the British merchant navy was by far the world’s biggest. During the war up to 185,000 people served in it. By the end of the war, the US merchant marine had grown to 200,000. It became a very dangerous occupation.

This little book recalls that important history in a quite delightful way. Full of facts, figures, traditions and practical advice it offers an excellent overview of life in the merchant navy at that time. Come to think of it, much of that advice is still relevant today.

Available from Casemate Publishers, Oxford, UK.

Web: www.casematepublishers.co.uk