Riders of the storm – the story of the Royal National

Lifeboat Institution
by Ian Cameron

Review by Carol Waterkeyn

This is a new edition of the hardback book published in 2002. Many changes have occurred within the Institution since the book was first written, so the author has set about bringing it up to date.

There are still the poignant tales of daring rescues, the amazing history of the RNLI through both good and more difficult times, and wonderful photographs of the charity’s people carrying out their lifesaving work. But the introduction of new classes of lifeboat, RNLI lifeguarding and the Lifeboat College are all included too.

Disappointingly, most of this new content is presented as a plain-text appendix rather than being woven into the main fabric, and some factual errors remain. Nevertheless, Mr Cameron gives a stirring account of the work of the charity and its personalities over its 185 years’ history that will remain a classic.

Paperback book
Published by Orion Books

ISBN 9780752883441

Price: £14.99 (The author has very kindly donated to the RNLI 10% of his royalties from this book. The RNLI can benefit even more if you get your copy from the selected RNLI shops. Find your nearest at rnli.org.uk/nearestshop.