Pen & Sword’s Discovery imprint is devoted to explorers and adventurers who have sought to extend our understanding of our world and who have - sometimes literally - journeyed to the ends of the earth. On land, at sea and in the air they have dared to test their knowledge, skill, endurance and courage against the most hazardous conditions, and many of them lost their lives while doing so. Biographies, autobiographies, memoirs and accounts of remarkable exploits and expeditions will all be published in this new list which celebrates the extraordinary accomplishments of men and women who were prepared to take enormous risks in order to pursue their passion for discovery.
Every so often, previously unpublished biographies and collections of diaries and correspondence surface and are turned in a unique and very enjoyable book that is compelling and, while seeming incredible against modern experience, is entirely believable. This book is one such. Stewart Blacker is a larger than life individual who was not that unusual in his times, but has perhaps no modern equivalent. That is as much due the changes in society as it is in the human. There are parts of Blacker that will be familiar. He is in part 'Q' from the James Bond stories. In part he is Biggles from that fictional aviator. There are many extracts of his character and experiences that do chime today but, as a whole, he is really extraordinary and shows how life in the early years of the 20th Century was more flexible than today. This is a book that should be read by many as a fascinating insight into times past, and the level of endeavour that is so different from the period a century later. Very Highly.. Read more
FIRE Reviews
Every so often, previously unpublished biographies and collections of diaries and correspondence surface and are turned in a unique and very enjoyable book that is compelling and, while seeming incredible against modern experience, is entirely believable. This book is one such. Stewart Blacker is a larger than life individual who was not that unusual in his times, but has perhaps no modern equivalent. That is as much due the changes in society as it is in the human. There are parts of Blacker that will be familiar. He is in part 'Q' from the James Bond stories. In part he is Biggles from that fictional aviator. There are many extracts of his character and experiences that do chime today but, as a whole, he is really extraordinary and shows how life in the early years of the 20th Century was more flexible than today. This is a book that should be read by many as a fascinating insight into times past, and the level of endeavour that is so different from the period a century later. Very Highly.. Read more
FIRE Reviews
'Mummies possess an incredible power of attraction,' writes Albert Zink in his introduction to this slim, profusely illustrated, highly readable and beautifully produced book. It's an all-you-ever-wanted-to-know-about mummies-but-were-afraid-to-ask approach which seems to work for all ages. I read though the book with interest and then so did my children, aged 5, 7 and 9; the page -turning accompanied by lots of oohs, aahs and the occasional, "eugh!". I even caught my wife reading it and she NEVER picks up a book. I think our volume is going to be well-thumbed over the years, and my daughter is even taking the book to school today to show her class. If the British Museum gets it into its shops it should fly off the shelves. This reviewer heartily recommends this for children, daddies and mummies everywhere.
Paul Nixon, Amazon Reviewer
'Mummies possess an incredible power of attraction,' writes Albert Zink in his introduction to this slim, profusely illustrated, highly readable and beautifully produced book. It's an all-you-ever-wanted-to-know-about mummies-but-were-afraid-to-ask approach which seems to work for all ages. I read though the book with interest and then so did my children, aged 5, 7 and 9; the page -turning accompanied by lots of oohs, aahs and the occasional, "eugh!". I even caught my wife reading it and she NEVER picks up a book. I think our volume is going to be well-thumbed over the years, and my daughter is even taking the book to school today to show her class. If the British Museum gets it into its shops it should fly off the shelves. This reviewer heartily recommends this for children, daddies and mummies everywhere.
Paul Nixon, Amazon Reviewer
“Finely researched book.”
“Cameron, a pilot, has done well to chronicle the early development of flight in the Polar Regions and to rightfully mark Amundsen as one of aviation’s true pioneers.”
Garth James Cameron
“Finely researched book.”
“Cameron, a pilot, has done well to chronicle the early development of flight in the Polar Regions and to rightfully mark Amundsen as one of aviation’s true pioneers.”
Garth James Cameron
The Eighteenth century was an era when brave mariners took their ships beyond the horizon in search of an unknown world.
From ship's boy to vice-admiral, discover how much more there was to Captain Blight than his captain and mentor, Cook; a 34-year-old Lieutenant Bligh at the helm of the famous Bounty then cast adrift by Fletcher Christian on an epic 47-day open-boat voyage from Tonga to Timor; and 36-year-old Captain Bligh as he takes HMS Providence, to the company of a young Matthew Flinders, on a grand voyage to Tahiti and back. And all this before he was 40.
Full Ahead – The Merchant Navy Association
The Eighteenth century was an era when brave mariners took their ships beyond the horizon in search of an unknown world.
From ship's boy to vice-admiral, discover how much more there was to Captain Blight than his captain and mentor, Cook; a 34-year-old Lieutenant Bligh at the helm of the famous Bounty then cast adrift by Fletcher Christian on an epic 47-day open-boat voyage from Tonga to Timor; and 36-year-old Captain Bligh as he takes HMS Providence, to the company of a young Matthew Flinders, on a grand voyage to Tahiti and back. And all this before he was 40.
Full Ahead – The Merchant Navy Association
Ex-SAS surgeon Richard Villar has worked with Merlin for several years, responding to some of the worst disasters the world has seen. Now he's written a book vividly describing his experiences to “the brave men and women of Merlin”.
Frontline – Merlin Newsletter
Ex-SAS surgeon Richard Villar has worked with Merlin for several years, responding to some of the worst disasters the world has seen. Now he's written a book vividly describing his experiences to “the brave men and women of Merlin”.
Frontline – Merlin Newsletter
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From Pole to Pole
Roald Amundsen (1872-1928) was the most successful polar explorer of his era using sledges, dogs, ski and ships. He is mainly remembered for being the first man to reach the South Pole on 14 December 1911. What is less often remembered is that he was also the first man to reach the North Pole on 12 May 1926 as the leader of the Amundsen- Ellsworth-Nobile… Read more...
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Winged Scalpel
In this fast paced narrative, ex-SAS surgeon Richard Villar provides 'a very personal insight into the difficulties, dangers and occasional virtual impossibility of providing medical aid to disaster areas and war zones. He shares his remarkable experiences in the aftermath of three major earthquakes – Kashmir (2005), Java (2006) and Haiti (2010)… Read more...
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Bligh: Master Mariner
The Eighteenth Century was an era when brave mariners took their ships beyond the horizon in search of an unknown world. Those chosen to lead these expeditions were exceptional navigators, men who had shown brilliance as they ascended the ranks in the Royal Navy. They were also bloody good sailors. From ship’s boy to vice-admiral, discover how much… Read more...
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Ordeal By Ice
Surrounded by hazardous seas and pitiless ice, Antarctica was first sighted by Europeans less than three centuries ago. Since then, hundreds of ships have voyaged around that continent, challenged by poorly charted waters, storms, pack ice, icebergs and disease. This comprehensive and richly illustrated book tells the story of these ships and the expeditions… Read more...
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Everest & the Conquest in the Himalaya
A century ago the summits of the world’s highest peaks, Everest included, were beyond reach. Pioneering attempts to overcome the dangers of climbing at extremely high altitudes ended in failure, sometimes with disastrous consequences. Yet today high-altitude ascents are frequent, almost commonplace. Everest can be conquered by relatively inexperienced… Read more...
