British Explorers

British maritime history in the age of sail is full of the deeds of officers like Nelson but has given little voice to plain, "illiterate" seamen. Now, Stephen Taylor draws on published and unpublished memoirs, letters, and naval records, including court-martials and petitions, to present these men in their own words. In this exhilarating account, ordinary seamen are far from the hapless sufferers of the press gangs.

Pen Hadow is an authentic British hero, one of the world's most experienced and successful living polar explorers. In spring 2003, fulfilling a deathbed vow to his father, he became the first man ever to complete a solo trek to the North Pole from the far more arduous and hazardous North American side. The nine days he then spent weatherbound at the Pole with dwindling supplies catapulted him to worldwide fame.

Experience the pure sounds of the sea with this audio download, Waves: The Sounds of Britain's Shores. From the gentle lapping of water on a Cornish beach to the powerful crashing of waves on a rocky shore, this collection of recordings explores the idea that each beach has its own signature sound and demonstrates the contrasting nature of Britain's shoreline.