The author, a well experienced sailor, sets out to record the development of navigational techniques from the earliest time, five millennia ago. As explorers started to venture offshore into the unknown they had to rely on the sun and stars for direction. From this, pioneers turned to mathematics, astrolabes, sextants and increasingly accurate clocks to measure latitude and later longitude. More recently major breakthroughs with electronic navigation, GPS and other satellite systems have revolutionised travel, all well covered in this book. Focusing primarily on marine navigation, the author weaves a fascinating course through the successes and failures of mankind’s quest to explore his world of sea. A thoroughly entertaining and informative work.

Read the full review here

Julian Stockwin

As usual I read the book twice, once for the feel and enjoyment and once for the technical aspects. The author appears well versed in the history of navigation; he uses his fifty years’ experience to verify the aspects of navigation. The book reads well, is concise, maintains the interest of the reader and includes just enough personal touch to “not” make you feel that it is an autobiography. Illustrations are well placed and useful. It is worth reading just for the curiosity if not for the abundance of useful information on the subject. Knowing the evolution of an artform that is based on science helps practitioners move it closer to perfection. Other books I have read on the subject were too fluffy this one tells you something and moves on. I just started reading it again, for me.

Read the full review here

Naval Historical Foundation

An enjoyable, entertaining and educational book; Pike gets his subject across well and with ease, breaking a complex subject down into easily digestible chunks, which you understand need to work together to give an accurate position at sea.

Read the full review here

Army Rumour Service (ARRSE)

If you want to know how ships carry most of the world’s goods and many vacationing people to their destinations, this is an excellent book for enlightenment. If you want to know how navigators were able to determine their positions before computers and electronics came into use, but you don’t want to use a slide-rule or calculator, this book has all the answers you need. Finally, if you want to understand what was important for the navigator to know in any type of vessel, this is a great book to be your guide.

Read the full review here

Pirates and Privateers, Cindy Vallar

Listed in the 'Book Club' feature

Yachting Monthly, May 2019

This is a well-written, easy-to-read summary of naval navigation throughout the ages.

Read the full review here

Model Ship World

This is a fascinating account of mankind’s quest to explore his world from the earliest time, five millennia ago, to the present day.

Read the full review here

Julian Stockwin Blog