Jo Stanley has fearlessly explored the depths of maritime history, discovering treasures along the way. Read this book and find out why. -- Marcus Rediker, author of The Slave Ship: A Human History This is a breath-taking account of women serving at sea in a variety of capacities over several centuries. More than this, it is a story of bravery and silent resolve. It tells of women who have faced discomfort, discrimination, harassment, violence, and abuse to silently pursue their ambitions and dreams. It is about human strength of character and tremendous, largely unnoticed, courage. It is immensely powerful and uplifting and resonates strongly with the contemporary experiences of women seafarers. Like the best of historical work it adds to our understanding of the present as much as it does of the past. -- Professor Helen Sampson, Director, Seafarers International Research Centre Jo Stanley has written again a thought-provoking, challenging, critical but popular book on seagoing women. This inclusive, passionate, and well-researched story is a must-have for everyone interested in maritime history, gender, sex and power. You will be amazed after reading this book! -- Dr Sari Maenpää, Keeper, The Maritime Museum of Finland A lively miscellany of female seafaring experiences that challenge entrenched gender patterns, and which will provoke scholarly interest for generations to come. -- Joan Druett, New Zealand, author of Petticoat Whalers and She Captains: Heroines and Hellions of the Sea This enthralling book brings to light the lives and experiences of women at sea over several centuries. -- Dr Anna Davin, historian This book stands out for its vivid examples, global sweep, and exceptional range of topics. We meet cross-dressing pirates, but also the floatographers and acrobatettes aboard 20C cruise ships. Jo Stanley asks the hard questions about gender at sea and what emerges is an exuberant tale of challenges, heartbreaks, and triumphs. -- Professor Isaac Land, Indiana State University A must read, packed with important information and wonderful stories of adventurous women in an international context. -- Professor Diane Kirkby, Melbourne University, Voices From the Ships This rich and well-woven maritime tapestry delights the reader and honours the thrilling history of past and present British women seafarers. -- Dr Merja-Liisa Hinkkanen, Universities of Helsinki, Turku and Tampere Jo Stanley has made yet another signal contribution to maritime history with this compulsively readable book, filled with fascinating and sensitively told stories of real women at sea over some 300 epic years, and offering much insight and significant new information as well. -- Professor Lisa Norling, University of Minnesota, author of New England Women and the Whalefishery, 1720-1870 When I went to sea, we were two women on board of a crew of 21. This was already unusual. Shipping is still seen as a mans world, but its not, entirely, as Jos delightful and illuminating book shows.' -- Rose George, author of Deep Sea and Foreign Going: Inside Shipping, the Invisible Industry That Brings You 90% of Everything
