Need some inspiration for your Summer reading list? Here’s a collection of books that celebrate the skills and endurance needed to master our planet’s expansive oceans

For adventurers
Across the Arctic Ocean – Original Photographs from the Last Great Polar Journey by Sir Wally Herbert and Huw Lewis-Jones
Review by Chris Speers, Crew Member at RNLI Poole
‘What compels a man to risk everything on a dream?’ asks Sir Ranulph Fiennes, who introduces this inspiring story. In February 1968, Wally Herbert and his team of three companions (and 40 huskies) set off from Alaska on an incredible 3,800-mile journey across the North Pole and the frozen Arctic Ocean. This volume documents the trip using the explorers’ own photographs and accounts. With the future of the frozen polar regions threatened by human activity, this journey through an austere and beautiful wilderness is unlikely to ever be repeated. Published by Thames and Hudson
ISBN 9780500252147
Price: £24.95 (hardback)

For those on the light side
Light in the darkness – a history of lightships and the people who served on them by Liam Clarke
Illuminating the voyage home is a dangerous job but, since Roman times, lightship crews have been risking their lives to help seafarers traverse the night in safety. Author Liam Clarke comes from a family with a long history of lightship service, and uses his inside knowledge to explore this lonely and seldomdocumented profession. It might not be the most uplifting Summer read, but it’s certainly an interesting and comprehensive history.
Published by Amberley
Paperback ISBN 9781445646589
Price: £15.99

For young ocean explorers Ocean – a children’s encyclopedia by John Woodward Dive into the depths of coral reefs, polar oceans, rugged coasts, mangrove swamps and much more, with this comprehensive, 256-page visual encyclopedia. Packed with gorgeous colour photos, easy-to-digest information and fantastic facts, it’s an ideal reference guide for junior scientists aged from about 8 to 12 years, although readers of all ages will be entranced by the images.
Published by Dorling Kindersley
ISBN 9780241185520
Price: £17.99 (hardback)

For armchair aviators
Rescue pilot – cheating the sea by Jerry Grayson AFC Aged just 17, Jerry Grayson became the youngest helicopter pilot to ever serve in the Royal Navy. By 25, he was the most decorated peacetime naval pilot in history. Full of adventure, adrenalin, humour and sometimes tragedy, his career in maritime search and rescue is celebrated in this highly readable account. Foreword by HRH The Duke of York, Prince Andrew.
Published by Adlard Coles Nautical
Paperback ISBN 9781472917942
Price: £8.99

For RNLI historians
The Salcombe Lifeboat Disaster – 27 October 1916 by Roger Barrett This October marks 100 years since the tragic loss of 13 crew members aboard Salcombe’s lifeboat William and Emma. This detailed book, written by Salcombe Lifeboat Museum’s Curator, explains the events that led up to the fatal capsize, and the sad aftermath of the disaster. It contains illustrations and eyewitness accounts, and is a must for any RNLI supporters with an interest in this tragic event. We'll also be featuring an article on the tragedy in our Autumn issue. Available from Amazon, or email [email protected].
Published by Salcombe RNLI
ISBN 9780993420900
Price: £7.99

For cartography buffs
The Sea Chart – the Illustrated History of Nautical Maps and Navigational Charts (2nd edition) by John Blake The sea, as many RNLI supporters may have noted, is vast. About 2,000 years ago, maps and charts started to give shape to the world around the mariners of ancient Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, opening up trade and exploration routes.
This hefty tome contains a fantastic geographical spread of maps and illustrations, along with clear, precise and incredibly informative background context. With a foreword by Sir Ben Ainslie, this is a truly magnificent
addition to any seafarer’s coffee table.
Published by Bloomsbury
ISBN 9781844863143
Price: £25 (hardback)

In the Spring edition of Lifeboat, we incorrectly listed author John Hicks’ address (from which copies of his book An Absolute Wreck – the loss of the Thomas W. Lawson can be obtained). We apologise for this error. The book is available by writing to John at Flat 3, 17 Montagu Square, London, W1H 2LE.

Buy these books online via RNLI.org/amazon and Amazon will donate a minimum of 5% of the value to the RNLI. Please note that postage and packaging charges will apply. Reviews: Laura Rainbow (unless otherwise stated) | Photos: Simon Moss