Books Destroyer An anthology of first-hand accounts of the war at sea 1939-1945 Edited by Ian Hawkins Published by Conway Maritime Press ISBN 1844860086 paperback £9.99 Ian Hawkins cleverly blends excerpts from other books on the Second World War with personal recollections from destroyer crews and then adds background information to make up the whole. The unemotionally recounted experiences of servicemen of varying rank bring the bare facts to life and give moving and inspirational insight into the sometimes mundane, but more often horrendous, conditions they faced.

Destroyer is an authoritative read for anyone with a particular interest in the War. Equally though, those with little knowledge of this period of world history will find it interesting and thought provoking. Poems, songs and letters to loved ones back home give a sense of the realities of war for those in the thick of it. A few pages of photographs and the factual appendices (including an interesting section on the origin of terms and expressions used by the Navy) add to this interesting book. Well worth reading.

Scots and the sea A nation's Ufeblood By James DC Davidson Published by Mainstream Publishing Company (Edinburgh) Ltd ISBN 1840189770 paperback £7.99 Scotland has over 6,000 miles of coastline and nowhere in the country is very far from the sea. James Davidson gives an interesting insight into the lives of some of those who shaped Scottish history and some of their exploits at sea.

Whilst giving us a primarily historical account, the author also takes readers on a whistle-stop tour of Scottish ports and harbours and includes the development of trade through the fishing industry.

This book is a tribute to those who once made their living from the sea - or lost their lives to it. For RNLI supporters, his accounts of Scots whose courage saved lives at sea as volunteer lifeboat crew will be particularly pertinent.

This is an interesting and enjoyable read, a mixture of well-researched facts, tales of incredible journeys and exploits at sea and, finally, a look into the future - the research being done into wave and tidal power that may provide a source of sustainable energy.

The Wapping group of artists Sixty years of painting by the Thames Published by Seafarer Books ISBN 0954706250 hardback £19.95 Written by current members, the book explores the history of the Wapping group of artists.

From its foundation in 1946, the group's development over the decades was inevitably linked with changing face of the Thames. Packed with reproductions of diverse sketches, oils and watercolours, the book is a fantastic collection from on and around the river, showcasing individual members' pieces and their personal views and experiences.

Amusing situations that have arisen through the years are described, most notably the tale of the painter who stripped to his briefs to rescue his work, which was escaping downstream after he had been caught out by the rising tide, much to the amusement of his fellow 'Wappers'.

The publication is an enjoyable collection of the artists' best interpretations and perspectives of the area culminating in some excellent and inspiring paintings.

Unless other ordering details are stated, all books reviewed in the Lifeboat are available from all good bookshops and online from Amazon via the RNLI website at rnli.org.uk. Amazon will donate 5 per cent of the value of all such orders to the RNLI. (For the RNLI to benefit you must access Amazon via the RNLI website and not go direct to Amazon.) ooks and CDs through this Amazon I ii amazon co uk.