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Book Reviews / Comments
Whilst I must declare my interest and fascination in local shipwrecks, this is an absorbing tale of the wrecking of the Dutch merchant sailing ship ‘Golden Grape’ on Chesil Beach on 11 December 1641 that should appeal to a wide variety of readers. It has been well researched over many years by a local amateur maritime historian who I know has also bee n diving these waters for the past four decades in the continuance of his researches. His enthusiasm for the subject manifests itself in the readability of this book with its engaging style of narrative. If an authentic local tale of treasure, smuggling, piracy and shipwreck served up with a dash of slavery, conspiracy, execution and the English Civil War is not enough to grab the readers attention the author, Selwyn Williams, even manages to include James Bond in the tale! The book is well illustrated with 70 black and white and colour images and its usefulness as a reference book for other researchers is supported by five appendices, a chronology, glossary and a comprehensive index. David C.
Book Review from Amazon customer - I bought this book expecting a wreck in so many metres, visibility, saw a big mullet type book but this is real history and so interesting. It opens up loads of resources that can be explored and makes local pirates live. Best pirate book since Moonfleet. Buy it for the information, (I did not know Abbotsbury was the biggest village), the old maps, drawings (see page 100) and the coastal photos.
Gave my Dad your book for his birthday this week and he's really enjoying it. Sue G.
Forget 50 Shades of Grey - this is what I’ll be reading this summer! - Laura H.
Here it is folks. The hottest book in Dorset history circles in years. Superbly researched and written by Selwyn Williams. A must buy for all history buffs! - Mark Vine, Author of The Crabchurch Conspiracy.
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