'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".