Poor Jack: The Perilous History of the Merchant Seaman - Ronald Hope

Poor Jack: The Perilous History of the Merchant Seaman by Ronald Hope. Drawing on a mass of contemporary material spanning four millennia, this book follows the merchant seaman ashore and afloat through the typical vicissitudes of his exotic but uncertain life. Although it is an unsentimental 'warts and all' portrayal, it is nevertheless an affectionate valedictory tribute to a lifestyle that has almost vanished. Black and white illustrations. Hardcover. 376pp.