Synopses & Reviews
The best of one of England's greatest writers about seafaring and the sea. John Masefield is one of the greatest storytellers of life at sea. Based on a recently rediscovered early manuscript, this collection of short stories, extracts from novels, autobiographical sketches, and poems, including the well-known works "Sea-Fever" and "Cargoes," illustrates the hardship, romance, and adventure of seafaring. Masefield's writing, masterful and captivating, is infused with a sailor's way with language and sense for a good yarn-about life in dock and on the swelling seas, about salt spray, mutiny, great storms, the spirits beneath the waves, and the devil and Davy Jones playing dice for souls.
Synopsis
"I must down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky"
John Masefield was sent to join a training ship at a young age, his aunt hoping the experience would cure him of his addiction to books. Instead, Masefield was to become one of the greatest writers on life at sea. In this collection of short stories, extracts from novels, poetry (including 'Sea-Fever' and 'Cargoes') and autobiography, he writes of the hardship, romance and adventure of seafaring with a sailor's way with language and sense of a good yarn: of life in dock and on the swelling seas, of salt spray, mutiny, great storms, the spirits beneath the waves, and the devil and Davy Jones playing dice for souls.
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About the Author
John Masefield (1878-1967) was a bestselling author of novels, children's books, plays, poetry, and works of contemporary history. He was appointed England's poet laureate in 1930 and was awarded the Order of Merit in 1935.
Philip W. Errington is deputy director of the printed books and manuscripts department at Sotheby's. He lives in London.