4 ms·
Strongly recommend this. I enjoyed "Master & Commander" (and read the first three books in the series, which are really one continuous story) before finding "A
by robterrell 2y ago
Strongly recommend this. I enjoyed "Master & Commander" (and read the first three books in the series, which are really one continuous story) before finding "A Sea of Words" and was astounded, on a re-read, at how much I didn't understand about sailing terminology, life onboard, the navy, etc.
But it's also a book that rewards knowledge of French, Latin, the history of science, music, geography... really an astounding book.
- giraffe_lady 2y agoSea of words would probably do well as a companion but I think for understanding you'd be better off with just an illustrated sailing manual like royce's or the annapolis book. He was a good writer who understood he was writing for a modern audience and had a plan about it. The royal navy period social stuff is explained in detail as it becomes relevant. Sometimes things are mentioned without being explained, but he always fills in a detail before it actually matters for the plot. The sailing specific jargon though there is just too much and a lot of it you can functionally treat as technobabble and the books read fine. I think having knowledge of the points of sail and their dynamics is the main thing he assumes that is actually important for following the action.