Books First of the flood By Fred Normandale Published by Bottom End Publishing ISBN 0954368606 Price £11.75 paperback Now Lifeboat Operations Manager at Scarborough, Fred Normandale grew up as part of the fishing community in the 'bottom end' of town. As a child in the 1960s and early 1970s, he believed his way of life to be quite usual and that every child in the UK grew up in a world such as his. He later discovered he couldn't have been more wrong - his life by the harbour was unique.

This engaging book creates a vivid picture of a close community whose meagre livelihood was hard gained from the sea. It is a world peopled by larger-than-life characters who could find humour even in extreme adversity.

A delightful and fascinating piece of social history told by someone who was there. This book and its sequel Slack water are both available from Bottom End Publishing, PO box 318, Scarborough, price £10 plus £1.75 postage and packing each. If you mention that you saw the book reviewed in the Lifeboat, £2 will be donated to the RNLI.

The Bridlington lifeboat The first 200 years.

1805-2005 By Fred Walkington MBE Published by Phillimore ISBN 1860773354 Price £9.99/£12, paperback Bridlington lifeboat station has a long and distinguished history, which Fred Walkington effectively brings to life through the narrative of this fascinating book. His intimate knowledge of this lifeboat station results from his 35 years' service, 25 of which were spent as Coxswain.

The book clearly chronicles the major significant technological changes that have taken place, particularly during the last 50 years, as the RNLI moved from the traditional double-ended pulling and sailing lifeboats through to the 18-knot Mersey class all weather lifeboat on station today. Interesting quotes from old branch records give a fascinating insight into the way lifeboat stations have evolved.

The station has also had its share of sadness with the loss of three lives over the years, reminding us all of the risks that lifeboatmen and women take to maintain a first-class service for those in peril on the seas. An excellent read for enthusiasts and supporters alike.

Available from: The lifeboat station shop, South Marine Drive, Bridlington, East Yorkshire for £9.99 in person or £12 by post. Cheques to be made payable to RNLI. All profits go to the RNLI.

Penlee - the loss of a lifeboat By Michael Sagar-Fenton Second edition published byTruran Books ISBN 1850221286 Price £7.99, paperback This is the story of the fateful night in December 1981 when the Penlee lifeboat, Solomon Browne, launched to go to the rescue of the shallow-draft coaster, Union Star. The story gradually unfolds through Lifeboat Press Officer Sagar-Fenton's detailed account of events until the moment when the mind-numbing truth is realised: the Solomon Browne and her crew would not be returning home.

The 25th anniversary of the loss of the Penlee lifeboat falls in 2006 and the RNLI Sales company is offering this book for sale in commemoration. A donation to the RNLI from royalties will also be made on each sale. To place an order, visit rnlishop.org.uk, telephone 0845 126 6999 or write to RNLI Sales Ltd, Lifeboat Support Centre, West Quay Road, Poole, BH15 1HZ quoting ref 02348.

A century of RNLI motor lifeboats By Nicholas Leach To be published by Landmark Publishing Ltd ISBN 1843062011 Price £19.99, hardback One hundred years ago, the first tentative steps to introduce motive power into the RNLI's fleet were taken when a small petrol engine was fitted to a pulling lifeboat (see 'Peep into the past' on page 37). After several years of trials and testing, the motor lifeboat emerged as an effective and efficient life-saving vessel.

To be published in January 2006, this volume will look at every aspect of powered lifeboat development since the early 20th century.

Part one will examine the introduction of the first motor lifeboats and how powered lifeboats proved themselves in action during some of the most dramatic rescues in the history of the RNLI. The development of twin engines, self-righting lifeboats and fast inshore lifeboats will all be covered. Part two will contain details of every motor lifeboat by class, accompanied by many high-quality photos and line drawings.

A century of RNLI motor lifeboats will be a fitting tribute to the RNLI's naval architects and engineers who design and build the lifesaving craft as well as the volunteers who crew them.Guides for lifeboat enthusiasts The story of the Barmouth lifeboats Ramsey lifeboats 1829-2004 The latest in the series by Jeff Morris, the honorary archivist of the Lifeboat Enthusiasts' Society, both paperbacks are priced at £4, including postage and packing. To order the Barmouth booklet, write to: D Taylor, 8 Ffordd Bro Mynach, Barmouth, LL42 1LZ and for the Ramsey booklet, write to: A Walters JP, 8 Squeen Meadow, Ballaugh, Isle of Man IM7 5BR. Cheques should be made payable to RNLI Sales Ltd.

Lifeboat Enthusiasts' Society handbook 2005 This is the essential guide for anyone who wants detailed statistics of all RNLI lifeboats, both during and after service and, this year, launching tractors. It should be consulted in conjunction with the 2004 handbook, which has complementary data. It is available free to members of the Enthusiasts' Society, or for £5 to non members, from Honorary Treasurer Tony Denton at Dawn, Upper Battlefield, Shrewsbury, SY4 4AA.

Porthcawl lifeboat station - our historical story Researched and compiled by Porthcawl lifeboat locals themselves, this booklet relates the development of the station and describes notable rescues from the days of horse-drawn lifeboats to the present day, including that by Aileen Jones, who this year received the RNLI Bronze Medal for Gallantry. It is available for £4 from 15 Picton Avenue, Porthcawl, CF363AJ.Shooting By Rick Tomlinson and Mark Chisnell Published by Adlard Coles Nautical, ISBN 0713674806 Price £40, hardback Rick Tomlinson has provided many a stunning photo of lifeboats and lifeboatmen and women for use in RNLI publications and here his art and skill are demonstrated to their full. This celebration of life on the water includes a whole chapter on Rick's work with the RNLI and charts his progress from novice volunteer cameraman to official National Geographic photographer in theWhitbread Race. Some of his mast-top views defy belief in their sharpness and composition - a book to thrill, from the safety of the armchair rather than the bosun's chair!.