Survival skills, intrepid explorations and coastal cruises – get ready for an adventure this spring

The Cape Horner’s Club: Tales of Triumph and Disaster at the World’s Most Feared Cape by Adrian Flanagan
Inspired by Sir Francis Chichester’s round-the-world voyage, British sailor Adrian Flanagan dreamed of the day he would take on the challenge of Cape Horn. In this faithful narrative, you’ll be taken on a thrilling voyage of discovery, reliving the triumphs and disasters, perils and adventures of 20 brave men and women who have joined the Cape Horner’s Club against overwhelming odds. These stories have motivated many experienced sailors to set sail and take on the adventure of a lifetime. Are you ready to join them?
Published by Bloomsbury
ISBN 9781472912527
Price (hardback): £18.99

The Frozen Frontier: Polar Bound Through the Northwest Passage by Jane Maufe
Jane Maufe takes us on a journey through the treacherous Northwest Passage, following the footsteps of her famous ancestor. She’s the greatgreat- great-great-niece of Sir John Franklin, an Arctic explorer who died trying to find the Northwest Passage in 1847.
Jane travels with an old flame, David Scott Cowper, who was the first man to sail solo around the world in both directions. You’re sure to be enchanted by her detailed account of the voyage, highlighting the highs and lows of two accomplished sailors in some of the most unforgiving waters in the world.
Published by Bloomsbury
ISBN 9781472935717
Price: £18.99

Ships: The History and Specifications of 300 World-famous Ships by Chris Bishop
Military historian Chris Bishop’s new book takes us on a voyage of worldfamous vessels from 2500 BC to the 21st century. This small, portable volume begins with a brief history of ship development over the centuries. It then becomes an encyclopaedia featuring warships, submarines, hovercraft and everything in between. Each of the 300 vessels comes with an illustration, specifications and service history. It’s ideal for both the fresh-faced powder monkey and the seahardened quartermaster, read in the comfort of your favourite armchair or taken on your next nautical adventure.
Published by Amber Books
ISBN 9781845093037
Price: £9.99

How to Stay Alive by Bear Grylls
Looking to boost your survival skills? RNLI ambassador Bear Grylls’s latest offering covers everything from learning how to collect water with the unlikeliest of items to flying planes in emergencies and escaping from angry sharks. This isn’t a book for the faint-hearted. Don’t be put off by the outlandish tips on the back cover – this book is a fantastic guide to lifesaving techniques, including CPR, escaping a burning building, and dressing broken bones. You never know when they might come in useful.
Published by Bantam Press
ISBN 9780593071076
Price: £20

How to Read Water: Clues and Patterns from Puddles to the Sea
by Tristan Gooley
Over 1,000 years ago, Persian sailor Captain Abharah travelled to China seven times when nobody else could make one trip without mishap. During a voyage in typhoon season, his uncanny ability to read signs in the moon, tides, winds and water saved a vessel he’d boarded. On the return journey, he even helped its crew recover the anchor they’d lost to stay afloat. Fascinated with Abharah, the author explores and chronicles this near-mythical skill. How to Read Water is the practical, surprisingly scientific and utterly fascinating result.
Published by Sceptre
ISBN 9781473615205
Price (hardback): £20

Islander: A Journey Around Our Archipelago by Patrick Barkham
In Islander, Patrick Barkham explores 11 of our islands, from the uninhabited Ray Island in Essex to the Isle of Man, a self-governing nation with its own language and a population of 85,000. Throughout his beautifully described travels, Patrick meets a variety of natives – from puffins to nuns to local legends. If you’ve always wondered what lies beyond your closest patch of coastline, this is a book you’ll treasure. It may even inspire you to do your own exploring!
Published by Granta
ISBN 9781783781881
Price: £20

Buy these books online via RNLI.org/amazon and Amazon will donate a minimum of 5% of the value to the RNLI.

Recommended retail prices may vary from the time of writing. Post and packaging costs may apply to online orders.

Words: Lydia Bessant, Megan Howden, Joe Forrest, Charlotte Shearing, Mark Scott, Nikki McMullen