
This enthusiastically reviewed, scrupulously researched and prize-winning book, which was a BBC Radio 4 Book of the Week, chronicles a resonant episode of Victorian history. It is the tale of the agitation led by Samuel Plimsoll MP, 'The Sailor's Friend', and by his wife Eliza, who worked together to defend sailors against nefarious practices including overloading and the use of unseaworthy 'coffi...
Paperback: 416 pages
Publisher: Abacus; Revised ed. edition (May 3, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0349117209
ISBN-13: 978-0349117201
Product Dimensions: 5 x 1 x 7.8 inches
Amazon Rank: 2507233
Format: PDF ePub fb2 TXT fb2 ebook
- Nicolette Jones epub
- Nicolette Jones ebooks
- 0349117209 epub
- pdf books
- 978-0349117201 pdf
This book is first-rate for obvious reasons. But there is an added dimension here: Plimsoll was heroic also in trying to get Americans to produce decent textbooks in their schools, that did not excoriate the British. In his day most US texts showed e...
he backlash of libel cases and vilification almost ruined Plimsoll, but his drive and passion made him feverishly popular with the public; he was the subject of plays, novels, street ballads and music hall songs. With the demonstrative support of the nation, he faced down his enemies, came close to ousting Disraeli's government and achieved lasting safety measures for merchant sailors, including the load line that bears his name. Nicolette Jones throws light on a cross-section of Victorian society and tells the story of an epic legal, social, and political battle for justice, which is still an inspiring example of how the altruism and courage of determined individuals can make the world a better place.