The 1866 transatlantic yacht race was a match that saw three yachts battle their way across the Atlantic in the dead of winter in pursuit of a $90,000 prize. Six men died in the brutal and close-fought contest, and the event changed the perception of yachting from a slightly effete gentlemen's pursuit into something altogether more rugged and adventurous. The race also symbolized the beginning of America's 'gilded age', with its associated obscene wealth and largesse (the $90,000 prize put up by the three contestants is about $15 million in today's money), as well as the thawing of relations between the US and UK. The narrative focuses on the victorious yacht Henrietta and her owner James Gordon Bennett. Bennett was the son of the multimillionaire proprietor of the New York Herald, and a notorious playboy. His infamous stunts included driving his carriage through the streets of New York naked, tipping a railway porter $30,000, and turning up at his own engagement party blind drunk and mistaking the fire for a urinal, which led to the coining of the phrase 'Gordon Bennett!'. However, Bennett was also a serious yachtsman and had served with distinction during the civil war aboard Henrietta, and he was the only owner to be aboard his own boat during the race. Other characters include Bennett's captain Samuel Samuels (legendary clipper skipper, ex-convict and occasional vaudeville actor), financier Leonard Jerome, aboard Henrietta as race invigilator (he also happened to be grandfather to Winston Churchill) and Stephen Fisk, a journalist so desperate to cover the race that he evaded a summons to appear as a witness in court and instead smuggled himself aboard Henrietta in a crate of champagne. Using the framework of the race to discuss the various historical themes, there's ample drama, and the diverse and eccentric range of characters ensure that this is a book laced with plenty of human interest, scandal and adventure.

Available as an ebook exclusively from Bloomsbury.com, Reeds Channel Almanac is provided in Web PDF format for viewing on all compatible devices (including tablets, laptop and desktop computers). PLEASE NOTE: this ebook is NOT compatible with Amazon Kindle devices. The Reeds Channel Almanac covers the south coast of England from the Scilly Isles to Dover, the Channel Islands and northern France from Calais to L'Aberildut, offering cruising and racing yachtsmen ready access to essential navigation information by virtue of its clear layout and user friendly format. Completely updated for 2017, topics include seamanship, pilotage, tide tables, safety procedures, navigation tips, radio, lights, waypoints, weather forecast information, communications, Mayday and distress procedures - in fact everything the cruising yachtsman needs to know. The spiral binding allows the Almanac to be opened flat on the chart table and the large type size and clear layout makes information easy to read even in adverse conditions. This handy volume is ideal for anyone cruising the length of the English Channel. The ebook incorporates the free Reeds Marina Guide. Also available: free supplements of up-to-date navigation changes from January to June at: www.reedsnauticalalmanac.co.uk 'There are some things I would not go to sea without - Reeds is one of them.' Sir Chay Blyth

Available as an ebook exclusively from Bloomsbury.com, Reeds Western Almanac is provided in Web PDF format for viewing on all compatible devices (including tablets, laptop and desktop computers). PLEASE NOTE: this ebook is NOT compatible with Amazon Kindle devices. The Reeds Western Almanac covers the coastline from Cape Wrath to Padstow as well as the whole of Ireland, and is ideal for any boater lucky enough to cruise and race in the superb waters off the coast of Western Scotland, Ireland or Western England. It offers ready access to essential navigation information by virtue of its clear layout and user friendly format. Completely updated for 2017, topics include seamanship, pilotage, tide tables, safety procedures, navigation tips, radio, lights, waypoints, weather forecast information, communications, Mayday and distress procedures. The spiral binding allows the Almanac to be opened flat on the chart table and the large type size and clear layout makes information easy to read even in adverse conditions. It is the complete guide for both Irish and Scottish mariners as well as those cruising the UK west coast. The ebook incorporates the free Reeds Marina Guide. Also available: free supplements of up-to-date navigation changes from January to June at: www.reedsnauticalalmanac.co.uk 'There are some things I would not go to sea without - Reeds is one of them.' Sir Chay Blyth

The Reeds Channel Almanac covers the south coast of England from the Scilly Isles to Dover, the Channel Islands and northern France from Calais to L'Aberildut, offering cruising and racing yachtsmen ready access to essential navigation information by virtue of its clear layout and user friendly format. Completely updated for 2018, topics include seamanship, pilotage, tide tables, safety procedures, navigation tips, radio, lights, waypoints, weather forecast information, communications, Mayday and distress procedures - in fact everything the cruising yachtsman needs to know. The spiral binding allows the Almanac to be opened flat on the chart table and the large type size and clear layout makes information easy to read even in adverse conditions. This handy volume is ideal for anyone cruising the length of the English Channel. Includes a free Reeds Marina Guide. Also available: free supplements of up-to-date navigation changes from January to June at: www.reedsnauticalalmanac.co.uk 'There are some things I would not go to sea without - Reeds is one of them.' Sir Chay Blyth

The Reeds Western Almanac covers the coastline from Cape Wrath to Padstow as well as the whole of Ireland, and is ideal for any boater lucky enough to cruise and race in the superb waters off the coast of Western Scotland, Ireland or Western England. It offers ready access to essential navigation information by virtue of its clear layout and user friendly format. Completely updated for 2018, topics include seamanship, pilotage, tide tables, safety procedures, navigation tips, radio, lights, waypoints, weather forecast information, communications, Mayday and distress procedures. The spiral binding allows the Almanac to be opened flat on the chart table and the large type size and clear layout makes information easy to read even in adverse conditions. It is the complete guide for both Irish and Scottish mariners as well as those cruising the UK west coast. Includes a free Reeds Marina Guide. Also available: free supplements of up-to-date navigation changes from January to June at: www.reedsnauticalalmanac.co.uk 'There are some things I would not go to sea without - Reeds is one of them.' Sir Chay Blyth

Available as an ebook, Reeds Nautical Almanac is provided in Web PDF (ePDF) format for viewing on all compatible devices (including tablets, laptop and desktop computers). Reeds Nautical Almanac is the indispensable trusted annual compendium of navigational data for yachtsmen and motorboaters, and provides all the information required to navigate Atlantic coastal waters around the whole of the UK, Ireland, Channel Islands and the entire European coastline from the tip of Denmark right down to Gibraltar, Northern Morocco, the Azores and Madeira. The 2018 edition continues the Almanac's tradition of year on year improvement and meticulous presentation of all the data required for safe navigation. Now with an improved layout for easier reference and with over 45,000 annual changes, it is regarded as the bible of almanacs for anyone going to sea. The 2018 edition is updated throughout, containing over 45,000 changes, and includes: 700 harbour chartlets; tide tables and tidal streams; buoyage and lights; 7,500 waypoints; invaluable passage notes; distance tables; radio, weather and safety information; first aid section. The ebook incorporates the Reeds Marina Guide. Also available: free supplements of up-to-date navigation changes from January to June at: www.reedsnauticalalmanac.co.uk