A Brief History of Mutiny - Softcover

Woodman, Richard

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0786715677 ISBN 13: 9780786715671

Publisher: Carroll & Graf, 2005

Synopsis

Perhaps even more than the waves and weather, sea officers of the past feared the ever-present risk of mutiny. Functioning as a microcosm of dissent in our society at large, the steep hierarchy and deep social divisions between the crew and their commanders, the misery and monotony of very hard work and little sleep, and the constant threat of death from shipwreck, disease, or the enemy often led to an anarchic breakdown of any semblance of stability or order at sea.

The notorious mutiny on the Bounty in 1787 has been elevated to iconic status by Hollywood, yet Richard Woodman describes it here as a mere “pup” among mutinies. Despite the usual portrayal, Captain Bligh was neither tyrant nor sadist—whereas Pigot of the Hermione was both, and his crew was probably justified in throwing him overboard. Woodman brings a seaman’s perspective to this compelling history, which stretches from Magellan’s successful handling of an uprising that took place on his great voyage of discovery in 1519, to the “sordid crimes” that mutinies had become by the end of the Second World War.

About this title

About the Author

Richard Woodman was born in London in 1944. He became an indentured midshipman in cargo liners at 16 and has sailed in a variety of ships, serving from apprentice to captain. He remains a professional sailor and in 1978 won the Marine Society's Harmer Award. Richard Woodman served an apprenticeship in cargo-liners, qualified as a navigator and spent another eleven years at sea as a commander. His passion for the sea is reflected in his prolific output, which includes works of both fiction (the Nathaniel Drinkwater series) and non-fiction (recently, The Sea Warriors, published by Constable). Richard Woodman spent over 30 years at sea. His prolific output includes fiction (Nathaniel Drinkwater series) and non-fiction (recently, The Sea Warriors). Richard Woodman is best known for his Nathaniel Drinkwater series of historical naval novels. Born in London in 1944 Richard joined his first ship at the age of 16 and spent over 30 years at sea. Married with two adult children, he lives in Harwich.

Review

"Superb ... puts Patrick O'Brian and Hornblower in the shade."

About this edition

• Publisher: Carroll & Graf
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 0786715677
• ISBN 13: 9780786715671
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 352