"A fascinating, rigorous, and dramatically engrossing historical study."
- Kirkus Reviews, read full review here
"Stafford covers, with palpable enthusiasm and in granular detail, the elegant design and still-impressive feats of speed displayed by the era’s sleek “clippers” and “windjammers.”"
- Blueink Review, read full review here
"Analytical but wistful in discussing bygone eras, The Great Windships is a knowledgeable work of maritime history that shows how seafaring shaped the modern world."
- Foreword reviews
A very well researched record of world development through the centuries and the part played by wind ships. It covers the spice, tea, slave, cotton and rum, as well as gold rushes, immigration, the opium wars, as well as grain, wool and nitrate and everything in between. It covers the early voyages of Chinese, Portuguese and Spanish exploration and how Great Britain and Holland came to dominate Asia holding vast colonies through into the twentieth century. Of particular interest is the role played by gold discoveries in America and Australian in the development of the merchant ship. Immigration also plays a big part, initially from Ireland and Europe to the United States and subsequently to Australia.
Who knows what they could have achieved with radar, GPS and sounders. It was a tough but gratifying life if you survived!
- Graham Brownell, Hobart, TAS
"Question: Prior to reading Brian Stafford's book, what did I know about 'tall ships'?
Answer: Precisely nothing.
Question: After reading Brian Stafford's book, what did I know about tall ships?
Answer: Everything that matters.
Question: To what do I owe this transformation?
Answer: Crisp, clear, informative writing. It works every time."
- Tony Mc Girr, Unanderra, NSW.