Eretz Israel is our unforgettable historic homeland...The Jews who will it shall achieve their State...And whatever we attempt there for our own benefit will redound mightily and beneficially to the good of all mankind. (Theodor Herzl, DerJudenstaat, 1896)

We offer peace and amity to all the neighbouring states and their peoples, and invite them to cooperate with the independent Jewish nation for the common good of all. The State of Israel is ready to contribute its full share to the peaceful progress and development of the Middle East.
(From Proclamation of the State of Israel, 5 Iyar 5708; 14 May 1948)

With a liberal democratic political system operating under the rule of law, a flourishing market economy producing technological innovation to the benefit of the wider world, and a population as educated and cultured as anywhere in Europe or North America, Israel is a normal Western country with a right to be treated as such in the community of nations.... For the global jihad, Israel may be the first objective. But it will not be the last. (Friends of Israel Initiative)

Tuesday 31 December 2013

2013: A Sea Odyssey

Frederick Marryat ... Herman Melville ... Herman Wouk ...

C.S Forester ... Alexander Kent ... Patrick O'Brian ... Richard Woodman ...

Master spinners of sea yarns, and Daphne has enjoyed them all.

So I'm delighted (hat tip: reader – or maybe I should say pirate – P) to discover a newcomer to the genre of maritime fiction.

And as yarns go this one's a caulker – sorry, make that corker.





Aye!

That's a rum yarn alright.

Mind you, the author is known to excel at yarns.

This, for instance:


But back to the sea tale.

Remember how, in Master and Commander, Patrick O'Brian's Captain Aubrey responded when Dr Maturin described the Surprise as "a somewhat aged man of war"?: 
"She's not old. She's in her prime."
Well, here's to a few more broadsides!

Boom!

(One coming up, soon after this.)

4 comments:

  1. He's done his homework on the Naval side, but what makes him think he'll find your sub?

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    Replies
    1. I can't imagine why he thinks the Daphne Anson unseaworthy and sunk. It must be a case of "the wish is padre to the thought"!

      Delete
  2. You're living in Sizer's head rent free, he can't stop thinking about you.

    ReplyDelete

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