Product Description

"One of those rare reference guides that is as much fun to read as it is useful. On every page this work offers fascinating testimony to the enduring importance of the sea to our culture."--Nathaniel Philbrick, author of the bestsellingIn the Heart of the Sea

While the body of knowledge associated with the sea is as vast as the sea itself, there is a core of information that is indispensable to understanding maritime history and culture. This unique reference provides that knowledge. Its m ore than 3,500 entries describe the ideas, events, and individuals that have shaped our maritime language, geography, commerce, warfare, law, literature, art, film, and more.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #509265 in Books
• Published on: 2003-06-23
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 432 pages

Review
"One of those rare reference guides that is as much fun to read as it is useful. On every page this work offers fascinating testimony to the enduring importance of the sea to our culture." - Nathaniel Philbrick, author of the best-seller In the Heart of the Sea

From the Back Cover
"One of those rare reference guides that is as much fun to read as it is useful."--Nathaniel Philbrick, author of In the Heart of the Sea

The Dictionary of Nautical Literacy is the first book to chart the culture of the sea--a comprehensive and entertaining reference for all those with an interest in things nautical. More than 3,500 entries describe the ideas, events, and individuals that have shaped our maritime language, geography, commerce, warfare, law, literature, art, film, and more. The Dictionary is a unique reference to browse, contemplate, peruse, and consult again and again.

"On every page this work offers fascinating testimony to the enduring importance of the sea to our culture."--Nathaniel Philbrick, National Book Award - winning author of In the Heart of the Sea

"From A-1 to Zumwalt this incredible volume covers the waterfront--and all the world's seas and oceans. . . . It is a truly remarkable feat of research and organization and is an invaluable resource for anyone with even a passing interest in nautical history."--Walter Cronkite

"A massive compendium of nautical knowledge and maritime minutiae that whets the appetite to learn more. It is loaded with facts and laced with wit and wry humor. This will be a useful resource for any maritime enthusiast--scholar or amateur."--J. Revell Carr, Director Emeritus, Mystic Seaport Museum, and author of All Brave Sailors

"A terrific book--full of information in turns basic, arcane, and playful, all presented here with an authority and humor that I'm sure will appeal to many sailors as well as to lovers of the sea and maritime art and writing. Any nautical book that includes Nelson, Travis McGee, 'close-hauled,' Belloc, USS VD, Helen of Troy, the Slot, and skipjacks wins a medal for sweep and imagination."--John Rousmaniere, author of After the Storm; Fastnet, Force 10; and The Annapolis Book of Seamanship

"A vital resource for anyone interested in the ships and people that stream across the pages of history. How did we ever get along without it?"--Peter Stanford, President Emeritus, National Maritime Historical Society

"The accuracy and variety of entries will delight nautical trivia buffs, and the book is a solid reference for the rest of us."--Offshore

"One of the most useful books to come across my desk. . . . [It's] also a fascinating read."--SAIL

"I never thought about reading Daniel Webster's dictionary from cover to cover, the way I did McKenna's Dictionary of Cultural Literacy. . . . Full of knowledge, wisdom, and entertaining factoids."--The Log

About the Author

Robert McKenna has been a sailor since boyhood. He graduated from the Coast Guard Academy in 1985 and holds a master's degree in international transactions from George Mason University. A contributing writer to Professional Mariner and Ocean Navigator magazines, he founded Nautical World, a magazine dedicated to marine art, artifacts, history, and literature. He is a principal in the Cutwater Group, a fine arts publisher specializing in marine and sporting images.

Customer Reviews

May not be what you think
This is a handy little reference volume, but may not be what you think it is. It covers a variety of nautical topics, some loosely related. There are many references to specific ships, boats and yachts that make for interesting reading, not much in the way of pure nautical terminology. Side references to subjects with nautical themes are fun, as in an entry on "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir," a great book, film, and television show about the ghost of a deceased sea captain and the woman who falls in love with him after moving into his house. On the whole a good reference book, but if you are looking for a volume on nautical lingo or terms, better off to get a maritime dictionary.

Top-10 "Coffee Table" book for the nautical enthusiast
First off, the dude from New Orleans should have at least read the Book Description offered by Mr. McKenna...maybe he wouldn't have been surprised, or miss led (sic). I sure hope any potential buyers of this book don't take him seriously, because they will be missing an absolute gem. This book was not meant to be a complete compendium of every hackneyed boating term, and thank God it isn't. How much fun would THAT be to read? The Dictionary of Nautical Literacy is the kind of book you can pick up, flip open to any page, and start enjoying. You'll get at least one "I didn't know that!" on every page...guaranteed. The cross-references keep you jumping all over the alphabet, BY DESIGN. This is not meant to be read from A to Z, so don't try. I rate this as the perfect gift for anyone with a nautical bent: boater, sailor, collector, enthusiast. Get one, you won't be sorry.

Cybercoastie
This book is wonderful. I received it for Christmas and have already consulted it many times (after having read it cover to cover). It contains information that cannot be found in other reference books. It is truly a unique and refreshing approach to our nautical world and it makes the ideal gift for young and old.