"There are dozens of books on the great figues in naval history such as Drake and Nelson. By contrast very little has appeared in print about the British seaman, without whom there would have been neither merchant ships to sail nor men-of-war to command. Apart from vague ideas about the press gang and the mutinies at Spithead and the Nore more people have little conception of what his life was like, even in such important matters as how he was recruited or paid or fed. His courage, his seamanship, his endurance have always been taken for granted. It is Professor Lloyd's achievement to have rescued hime from anonymity and to have portrayed him in his true colors." -- Taken from the dust jacket.