Books Never turn back: The RNLI since the Second World War By Ray and Susannah Kipling Published by Sutton ISBN 0750943076 Price: £19.99 hardback While the RNLI’s status as a lifesaving charity has remained firm, the Institution has also experienced a period of rapid transformation since the Second World War. Ray Kipling, the RNLI’s former Deputy Director, witnessed many of these major changes and events first hand and (with the help of his wife and co-author) charts them here complete with rescue accounts and anecdotes.

Rather than offering a slavish, chronological history since the 1950s, the book is split into themed chapters. ‘Designed for danger’, for example, focuses on the changes in lifeboat construction, while ‘Reluctant heroes’ recalls the feats of some of the most distinguished lifeboat crew members. There are plenty of recollections and opinions from volunteers and crew (past and present), which make the book all the more readable.

The RNLI’s unique culture and spirit as well as its recent history are clearly set out in the book, which is available from the RNLI Gift Catalogue. In addition, the publishers are donating £1 from each sale to the RNLI. Safe, Happy, Fast. By Richard Parson Published by Grosvenor House ISBN 1905529627 Price: £18.99 hardback If RNLI Governor Richard Parson’s experiences are anything to go by, life aboard a Global Challenge yacht can be anything but ‘safe’,‘happy’ and ‘fast’. Serious injuries, disagreements and major hold-ups were all part of Richard’s year-long journey as he and a crew of strangers attempted to sail around the world ‘the wrong way’.

But it wasn’t all grim. There were clearly many moments of joy and all the highs and lows are captured in this personal account. End-of-leg parties, personal hygiene problems, torn sails: all are recorded for posterity by the author, who makes no apologies for occasionally being blunt. Extracts from personal logs add to the virtual experience, capturing the author’s various moods as he and the crew deal with everything the sea and weather can throw at them.

Like the journey itself, the writing may be a little too raw for comfort at times for some readers.

However, those who are prepared to stay aboard until the end will not be disappointed. Cosens of Weymouth 1848-1918 By Richard Clammer Published by Black Dwarf ISBN 1903599148 Price: £29.95 hardback You might assume that paddle steamers were only a feature of the Mississippi but they were also once a common sight off UK shores. This detailed account traces the history of a leading paddle steamer firm, which also had strong RNLI connections. In the early years, a small fleet travelled between Weymouth and Portland, transporting workmen, sightseers and convicts. As time wore on, the excursions took passengers further afield and the steamers were used for towing (including the RNLI’s Weymouth lifeboat to casualties), salvage operations and transporting cargo.

The threat of war increased in 1914 and Portland Harbour was filled with warships. The steamers shuttled naval men between Weymouth and their ships. Some of Cosen’s fleet were even requisitioned as minesweepers.

Anyone with a fondness for maritime history, an interest in Dorset’s past or a passion for paddle steamers won’t regret buying this book. Excellent archive photographs, posters and maps accompany the concise writing.

A companion to the book is also available, bringing the Cosens of Weymouth history to 1996. In Associaion With amazon.co.uk 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.

Amazon will donate a minimum of 5% of the value of all such orders to the RNLI.

(For the RNLI to benefit in this way you must access Amazon via the RNLI website and not go direct to Amazon.).