The Sheringham Lifeboats 1838-2000 By Mick Bensley Price: £35 Published by Bengunn ISBN 0953399818 SHERINGHAM LIFEBOATS U38-JOOO Internationally acclaimed marine artist Mick Bensley brings alive the most notable and daring rescues of Sheringham lifeboats in this superb collection of watercolours and pencil drawings. Over 40 illustrations depict rescues from the first lifeboat in 1838, through the 'pulling and sailing' era, to the dramatic rescues by the motor lifeboats of recent times.

Mick has gathered information from records and lifeboat crew members to ensure that each painting is authentic in every detail. As a result, this book provides a unique testimony to the exploits of Sheringham lifeboats and their crews over the last two centuries.

Copies are available from the RNLI souvenir shop at 39 High Street, Sheringham; all good Norfolk bookshops; or direct from Mick Bensley on 01273 390062. Copies will also be available through the RNLI's gift catalogue from July 2004.

~ Minehead 1901-2001 The first 100 years By Jack Greaves Price: £5 (plus £1 p&p) Jack Greaves brings readers a fascinating insight into the exploits of Minehead lifeboats and their crews over the past century. Illustrated with over 70 photographs, this book also contains information about the history of the RNLI and the evolution of the lifeboats themselves.

Copies are available from the RNLI souvenir shop at Minehead lifeboat station or from Barrie Lanham, 16 Higher Park Road, Minehead TA24 8AP.

Why not upgrade to Offshore? The following review is typical of those featured in Offshore News, the RNU's publication exclusively for Offshore members. Offshore News also covers books on navigation, sea safety, survival techniques and technical know-how and includes features and news relevant to water users. To find out more about joining Offshore contact the RNLI supporter helpdesk on 0845 121 4999 Rough and Tumble By Bob Roberts Price £9.95 Published by Seafarer Books ISBN 0953818098 Leaving London in March 1934, Bob Roberts and Arthur (Bully) Bull broke the bonds holding them to 'drudgery and convention' to sail 'around the waters of the Earth in a haphazard and entirely irresponsible way'.

Rough and Tumble, first published in the UK in 1935, is the delightful account of two friends who, 'over a pint of foaming ale', decide to embark on a long cruise on Thelma, a 8m west country smack. The great adventure took Bob and Bully to Poole Harbour, Lisbon, Gibraltar and Tangier, across the Atlantic and through the Panama Canal to the Pacific and Cocos Islands.

When wind and tide failed, Bully resorted to the sweep to propel Tfce/ma seven miles in seven hours, rewarding himself only with a bowl of porridge. Sometimes the pair were forced to navigate 'by guess and by God'. Days of sunshine, flying fish and porpoises were followed by a hurricane. With everything lashed down, Bob and Bully saw out the storm playing cards on the cabin floor. Bob lost four and sixpence, a pair of seaboots and a canvas shirt and, if the hurricane had lasted one more day, he would have lost everything to Bully.

The pair sailed from Panama into disaster; a situation they faced with the same grit, sangfroid and humour. Ever survivors, they went on, undaunted, to yet more amazing adventures.

Rough and Tumble is essential reading for anyone who has dreamed of leaving the comforts of everyday life and sailing over the horizon to 'take things rough and tumble and let tomorrow look after itself.' Christina Scott, Divisional Base Assistant, RNLI Scotland.