This is not a maritime history of Britain to 1825 nor is it really a book about shipwrecks. It is a set of 8 case studies of different ships, all of which were eventually destroyed in one way or another, from the middle ages to the early 19th century, chosen to illustrate different aspects of English maritime activity. Three of them predate the union with Scotland so they are not strictly speaking British. There is a bit about each ship and then a short essay about the merchant marine or the navy at the time,

Some of the ships are well known, others less so. The case studies start with a little known event, when an English invasion fleet intended for the continent turned on itself, the Cinque Ports contingent destroying the Yarmouth ships Each chapter told me something new.

Edward James - Historical Novels Review

"Friel’s research, some of which is original and some of which draws on other expert sources in the fields of history and archaeology, robustly supports the thesis of the work, and therefore offers significant value for interested scholars."

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The Naval Historical Foundation

Britain’s involvement in the Transatlantic slave trade and the historical injustices of
colonialism and the British Empire have been much in the news in recent months. In
Britain and the Ocean Road, maritime historian Ian Friel asks how Britain got caught
up in these nefarious activities.

Current Archaeology

Britain and the Ocean Road eloquently discusses the rise and solidification of Britain’s maritime supremacy from 1297 through 1825. Friel’s extensive research and accessible writing style makes this work relevant for the general public and researchers as a source for understanding Britain’s extensive maritime history with a unique approach of using shipwrecks as the starting point of the conversation.

Nautical Research Journal

All eight of the chapters present interesting and well-assembled narratives of different facets of seafaring.

Mariners Mirror

This is a very well written book which I would highly recommend to any of our readers with an interest in this subject.

Shipping – Today & Yesterday, March 2021

Telling the maritime enterprises of various ships over a time span of about 500 years may seem dispersive, but dr. Friel always manages to keep the reader's attention awake by narrating the stories of people, of their hopes in going to sea, of the desire to know new places or simply escape from poverty. The description of how naval technique changes, both in the construction of the various ships, both in the on-board equipment and in military tactics, is also quite interesting. We are faced with a beautiful book that narrates little-known episodes close to others much more known (the Battle of Trafalgar in chapter 6) and which deserves to be on the shelves of a library of maritime history enthusiasts and others.

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Omne Ignotum Pro Magnifico

Article: ‘Exploring the drama, tragedy and history of shipwrecks’, words by Phil Hewitt

Chichester Observer, 28th January 2021

Those readers who venture within the pages of this book will find it readable and, at times, engrossing. No prior knowledge of maritime history is needed, because Friel does a commendable job entwining the necessary background information with the maritime history. Britain and the Ocean Road is perfect for anyone seeking information on English history from less common perspectives. Along the way, don’t be surprised if you discover answers to questions that you’ve not uncovered solutions to in reading other maritime texts.

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Pirates and Privateers

BOOK OF THE MONTH

Nautilus Telegraph, January 2021

Listed in the Spicy tales of Norfolk history feature

Norfolk magazine, January 2021

The surprising thing about Ian Friel's book is how far back into the annals of our history it travels. The Viking invaders pre-1297 also had sailing boats, of course, and the British eventually copied their design and build, but this is a comprehensive and brilliantly conceived memoir of a seafaring nation from its earliest times to when it was time to use steam power for our naval craft. Absolutely fascinating!

Books Monthly