After reading Novik’s Temaire series I was really interesting in the English Navy epically the Navy that is less modern and more closer to the Napoleonic era . This delivered in full!!,

I accessed a digital review copy of this book from the publisher.
The book was an interesting history. It is filled with direct quotes from sea shanties from the era.

As a keen reader of Patrick O’Brien’s Aubrey/Maturin novels, and having a long standing interest of all aspects of the navy of Nelson, I was pleased to find this book that covers a slightly later period in the history of the British Navy. Britannia still ruled the waves, with the world’s pre-eminent navy ability to project maritime power to any part of the globe. The author’s account, as the title suggests, focuses on the everyday life of the early to late nineteenth century sailor, with no blushes spared for the officers and politicians who were responsible for a fairly deplorable state of affairs in relation to the conditions during the early and middle years of this period in which the sailors served and their treatment at the end of a commission. The author draws on the first hand accounts of both seamen and officers, as well as drawing on information found in sea shanties and other songs penned by current and former seamen that illuminate the daily experiences of sailors. Battles are described, where they add to the themes explored in the book, although the period in question is not one where the British Navy was engaged in conflicts as intense as the Napoleonic wars. Among the most interesting, and perhaps the most controversial from a twenty first century perspective, are the many policing actions described by the author. The ability of the British government to project power and dispense violence in support of government policy across virtually the entire globe, thanks to the ships and men of the Royal Navy was, indeed, unparalleled at the time.

This is an excellent book that sheds light on a forgotten period in the history of the Royal Navy - and, unusually, focuses on the sailors’ experiences rather more than on naval strategy

Hurrah for the Life of a Sailor by John Winton is a book that focuses on the Victorian Navy, through the most gruelling years nearer to the beginning of the century that were filled with the worst punishments to the era of reform that came about at the close of the century. This book looks at it all--the battles, the life above and below deck, shore leave, and the culture the men built for themselves while away at sea. In my opinion, the very best portions were the printed songs and rhymes, which I read aloud to myself as I went, as well as the primary sources from sailors' diaries and printed memoirs.

This is a great historical text even for readers who don't know a great deal about the sea, because it is in very straightforward language without being overly dry or ponderous.

I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was an insightful, fascinating book to read. I’ve always wanted to learn more about naval history, and I can say this book fulfilled every desire for that. It was well thought out and researched with a clear comprehension of the era and the politics at the time. I especially liked the heavy number of direct quotes from primary sources (some of the primary sources being the sea shanties the sailors would sing— amazing!) I also really like the authorial voice throughout this novel. It is strong, compelling, but not condescending— which is something I often encounter in historical nonfiction that, oftentimes, can make it difficult to read and digest. However, given that this is a re-print of novel published in the 1940s, and myself being a historian, I cannot help but question the sources used in the novel, as age can tamper with facts, and more can be discovered about the subject as we grow steadily further away from the era discussed. But this is a rather small detail in the grand scheme of the novel and the information provided (largely derived from primary sources— which do not change over time) seems to be well-informed.

This is a must read for any family historian with a Victorian Sailor in the family tree. Lots of first hand accounts and details of just what it was like to be on board a navel vessel. Food, clothes, pay, training, pensions, injuries and warfare all are covered in the comprehensive book. Dip into a certain decade or read cover to cover it’s a fascinating and informative read.