May is here, and the rhythm of the boating season is unmistakable. Harbours are busy, sails are up, and paddle blades are slicing back into familiar waters. Demand for Admiralty Small Craft Charts has been through the roof – the printer can barely keep up – and Imray charts and pilot books have been flying out the door. Plans are turning into passages – and the right book aboard can set the tone for the whole season.
This month’s new titles span history, adventure, science, and storytelling. Stars to Steer By celebrates the women who went to sea across the 20th century – their stories, long underrepresented, are brought together with the detail and dignity they deserve. Empty Vessel traces the life of a single barge to explore the machinery of the global economy, from shipyards to scrapyards. And Ocean, co-authored by Sir David Attenborough, delivers a compelling, documentary-style look at how the seas shape life on Earth – visually stunning and full of insight.
There’s plenty for paddlers too, with two handsome new route guides ideal for those who like their journeys to end at a pub. We’ve also stocked up on children’s titles this month – covering sea creatures large and small, a few friendly facts, and one very persistent sea monster.
For the historically minded, this month’s releases delve into U-boats, destroyers, architectural oddities, and the Titanic’s Greater Manchester connections. And finally, there’s good news from Imray: the future of paper charts just got a little brighter. More on that below.
Contents
- Featured New Releases
- Kayaks, Canoes & a Pint
- Shipwrecks, Stories & Shorelines
- Naval History & Warfare
- Children’s & Young Readers
- Chart News: A Bright Horizon for Imray
Featured New Releases
West Country Cruising Companion: Tenth Edition
Author: Mark Fishwick | Expected: 7 May 2025 | Format: Hardback | Price: £42.50
New Edition: The definitive pilot guide for south west England since 1988, Mark Fishwick's companion returns in its tenth edition. Covering the stunning coastline from Portland Bill to Padstow, plus the Isles of Scilly, it blends essential pilotage and cruising information with historical context and suggestions for shore-side activities. Fishwick, who grew up sailing the Exe and possesses intimate knowledge of the area, provides inspiring and informative text. Enhanced with colour charts and photography, including aerial shots, this is an indispensable addition to any West Country cruiser's library.
Stars to Steer By: Celebrating the 20th century women who went to sea
Author: Julia Jones | Expected: 8 May 2025 | Format: Hardback | Price: £22.00
New Title: Historically, a ship's crew was a male domain, and women's contributions to seafaring have often been overlooked or opposed. Julia Jones charts the course of remarkable women from the 19th century onwards who challenged prejudice and law to pursue their passion for sailing. From solo sailors to wealthy explorers, these are tales of resilience against social disapproval and systemic barriers. Even today, challenges remain, but the legacy of these pioneers offers inspiration. Jones, a writer and classic yacht owner herself, shares these vital stories.
Ocean: Earth's Last Wilderness
Authors: David Attenborough & Colin Butfield | Expected: 8 May 2025 | Format: Hardback | Price: £28.00
New Title: Sir David Attenborough, drawing on decades of filming across every ocean habitat, collaborates with Colin Butfield to present the story of our planet's critical, and largely unexplored, wilderness. Covering a century of exploration, eight distinct habitats, and numerous species, Ocean combines personal anecdotes, history, and science to reveal the wonder and fragility of the marine world. Crucially, it also highlights the ocean's capacity for recovery, suggesting that a restored, vibrant marine ecosystem is achievable within our lifetimes – if prompt action is taken.
Kayaks, Canoes & a Pint
Great British Paddling Adventures: More than 50 routes for kayak, canoe and paddleboard
Authors: Richard Harpham & Askley Kenlock | Expected: 22 May 2025 | Format: Paperback | Price: £20.00
New Title: A handsome guide detailing over 50 prime UK paddling routes suitable for kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards. From tranquil rivers to challenging white water and coastal sea kayaking, this book caters to various skill levels. Discover remote campsites, heritage sites accessible only by water, and journeys through Britain's stunning landscapes. Each route features grading, access points, stopovers, sights, and accommodation info. Written by seasoned paddlers Richard Harpham (founder of CanoeTrail) and Ashley Kenlock (CEO of Canoe Trail), it's a celebration of paddle-powered exploration.
Paddle and Pub: The best British pubs to get to by kayak, canoe or paddleboard
Author: Gemma Bowes | Expected: 22 May 2025 | Format: Paperback | Price: £19.99
New Title: Combining two fine British traditions – exploring the outdoors and enjoying a good pub – this guide highlights excellent waterside pubs accessible by paddle power. Spanning the UK from Wester Ross to the South Downs and East London, each featured route is paired with quality pubs serving food and drink. Travel writer Gemma Bowes provides details on access, hire options, route length, and local points of interest. Whether you fancy a gentle afternoon paddle or a longer trip involving wild camping, this book offers inspiration for all levels, always promising a rewarding pint at the end. Illustrated with photography and maps.
Shipwrecks, Stories & Shorelines
Folklore of the Sea: Myths and Legends of the Maritime World
Author: Margaret Baker | Expected: 13 May 2025 | Format: Hardback | Price: £14.99
New Edition: This newly illustrated edition delves into the rich tapestry of maritime myths, superstitions, and rituals that arose from the inherent dangers of life at sea. Sailors developed these customs to appease imagined sea-gods and cope with the unpredictable nature of the ocean. Discover tales of phantom ships, sea serpents, and lighthouse legends, alongside rituals like crossing-the-line ceremonies and the blessing of fishing fleets. Margaret Baker captures the enduring allure of sea lore, now complemented by fresh illustrations from Philip Harris.
Empty Vessel: The Story of the Global Economy in One Ship
Author: Ian Kumekawa | Expected: 8 May 2025 | Format: Hardback | Price: £22.00
New Title: An unremarkable 94-metre barge, once the Bibby Resolution, tells the story of the modern global economy through its varied lives. From a 1970s Swedish oil rig to a Falklands barracks, a New York jail barge, a Portland prison, and accommodation for Nigerian oil workers, this vessel (also known as Safe Esperia and HMP The Weare) reflects fifty years of economic forces. Historian Ian Kumekawa uses its journey to connect private investment, war, mass incarceration, tax havens, and exploited labour, revealing the complex – and sometimes dangerous – interconnectedness of our world.
My Fishing Life: A Story of the Sea
Author: Ashley Mullenger | Expected: 29 May 2025 | Format: Paperback | Price: £10.99
New Title: Ashley Mullenger never intended to become a fisherman. A chance mackerel fishing trip off Norfolk sparked an obsession, leading the former office worker to be named 'Fisherman of the Year' and become the owner of two fishing boats, Fairlass and Saoirse. This memoir chronicles her transformation and offers a glimpse into the demanding world of commercial fishing – the early starts, harsh conditions, tight-knit communities built on trust and skill, and the challenges posed by politics, poverty, and climate change. A candid, humorous love letter to an often-misunderstood industry.
In the Wake of the Empress of Ireland: Rescue, Salvage and Investigations in the Summer of 1914
Author: David Saint-Pierre | Expected: 8 May 2025 | Format: Paperback | Price: £22.99
New Title: The sinking of RMS Empress of Ireland in the St Lawrence River in 1914 remains Canada's worst peacetime maritime disaster, claiming over 1,000 lives – more passengers than on the Titanic. Sparked by the discovery of old photographs showing the Royal Navy salvage operation, historian David Saint-Pierre uncovered an album documenting the forgotten story of the international dive team that worked on the wreck in the summer of 1914. This book explores the aftermath, rescue efforts, and investigations surrounding the tragedy.
Titanic: The Greater Manchester Connections
Author: James W Bancroft | Expected: 30 May 2025 | Format: Hardback | Price: £22.00
New Title: The catastrophic sinking of RMS Titanic in April 1912 touched lives far beyond Southampton. This unique volume focuses specifically on the individuals from Greater Manchester – encompassing Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, and Wigan – connected to the liner. Over 30 passengers and crew from the region were aboard; most perished. James Bancroft tells their stories, detailing their experiences during the disaster and the fates of the survivors, some of whom left vivid accounts.
Twentieth Century Seaside Architecture: Pools, Piers and Pleasure around Britain's Coast
Author: Kathryn Ferry | Expected: 8 May 2025 | Format: Hardback | Price: £20.00
New Title: British seaside resorts thrived for much of the 20th century, evolving architecturally to meet changing tastes and compete with overseas destinations. Kathryn Ferry explores this evolution chronologically, using vintage postcard imagery to showcase the playful spirit of seaside design. From interwar classicism and Art Deco to mid-century modernism and the less celebrated styles of the 70s, the book covers everything from bandstands and lidos to piers, theatres, and amusement arcades. As domestic tourism sees a resurgence, this is a timely celebration of Britain's unique coastal architectural heritage.
Baglietto 170 Years: The Art of Yachting since 1854
Author: Antonio Macaluso | Expected: 13 May 2025 | Format: Hardback | Price: £62.00
New Title: For 170 years, the Italian shipyard Baglietto has represented a distinctly Italian blend of craftsmanship, beauty, and passion in the world of yachting. This volume celebrates the enduring legacy of a brand known for its world-class yachts, exploring the line where craftsmanship becomes art. Baglietto's longevity is a testament to a style that transcends fleeting trends, embodying a soberly chic aesthetic appreciated by a discerning international clientele. A study of success built over generations, merging tradition with a forward-looking vision.
The Ocean Book: The Stories, Science, and History of Oceans
Expected: 22 May 2025 | Format: Hardback | Price: £30.00
New Title: Covering nearly 70% of Earth's surface, the oceans define our 'blue planet'. They teem with life, regulate climate, and form the backdrop for human exploration and mythology. This absorbing guide combines stunning photography and illustrations with expert text to explore the marine world. From blue whales and coral reefs to whirlpools and pirates, The Ocean Book offers a comprehensive look at the physical geography, diverse life, and captivating human history connected to the world's oceans.
Naval History & Warfare
The Surrender of the U-Boat Fleet 1945
Author: Derek Waller | Expected: 30 May 2025 | Format: Hardback | Price: £29.99
New Title: Following Germany's defeat in May 1945, 156 U-boats surrendered to the Allies across various ports and at sea, including locations in the USA, Canada, and Argentina. This comprehensive work details the surrender of each vessel, alongside the fate of around 200 U-boats scuttled by their crews in the war's final days. Derek Waller examines Allied surrender policies developed from 1943–45, the arrangements made, discussions at Potsdam, and the subsequent allocation and use (or disposal) of the captured submarines by the UK, USA, and USSR. An exhaustively researched account of a pivotal moment, touching on post-war submarine development.
The U-Boat Commanders: Knight’s Cross Holders, 1939–1945
Author: Jeremy Dixon | Expected: 30 May 2025 | Format: Paperback | Price: £14.99
New Title: The Knight's Cross (Ritterkreuz) was among Germany's highest military honours during WWII, awarded for exceptional valour. Within the close confines of U-boat crews, the award bestowed upon their captain was a source of immense pride. This illustrated guide profiles the 123 U-boat commanders, including Karl Dönitz, who received this prestigious decoration. Jeremy Dixon details their service records, the operations that earned them the award, their sinking tallies, and subsequent careers, accompanied by nearly 200 archive photographs.
Destroyers at War: A Personal Retrospective of the Pacific Theater
Author: James L Holloway | Expected: 1 May 2025 | Format: Hardback | Price: £26.99
New Title: Admiral James L. Holloway III, former US Chief of Naval Operations, offers a firsthand account of his service on destroyers during the final Pacific campaigns of WWII. As assistant gunnery officer on USS Ringgold and gun boss on USS Bennion, he participated in bombardments and anti-aircraft pickets during assaults on Saipan, Tinian, Peleliu, and Leyte. Holloway provides detailed insights into destroyer gunnery systems and gripping combat narratives, including the Battle of Surigao Strait – history's last battleship engagement – where his ship fatally torpedoed the Japanese battleship Yamashiro. The book also touches on his relationship with his father, Admiral James L. Holloway Jr., the only father-son pair to serve as four-star admirals.
Warship 2025
Expected: 8 May 2025 | Format: Hardback | Price: £45.00
New Title: The latest edition of the esteemed annual publication, Warship, continues its 45-year tradition of presenting original research on the design, development, and service history of the world's combat vessels. Featuring articles from international experts, book reviews, technical notes, and an image gallery, the 2025 volume maintains its high standards of scholarship. This year's content includes studies on France's first destroyers, Denmark's WWII H-class submarines, proposed Italian battlecruiser designs, Japanese Chikuma-class cruisers, Soviet S-class submarines, and German torpedo boats.
Sword: D-Day Trial by Battle
Author: Max Hastings | Expected: 8 May 2025 | Format: Hardback | Price: £25.00
New Title: Max Hastings focuses his lens on the D-Day landings, specifically the experiences of British forces on Sword Beach. Despite nearly five years of war, many soldiers landing on 6 June 1944 were facing combat for the first time, unprepared for the immediate onslaught of enemy fire and the brutal reality of battle. Hastings provides a vivid account of the Commando brigade, 3rd Infantry, and 6th Airborne divisions – their training, fears, and actions during the airborne assaults, beach landings, and inland battles. He analyses why Caen wasn't reached on D-Day as planned and portrays key figures, from the famously arrogant Lord Lovat to the tank crews who repelled a panzer division.
Kriegsmarine Atlantic Command 1939–42: Naval Group West's surface menace
Author: Lawrence Paterson | Expected: 22 May 2025 | Format: Paperback | Price: £15.99
New Title: Germany entered WWII with a surface fleet ill-prepared for the conflict ahead. Tasked with challenging Allied dominance in the Atlantic, Naval Group West (Marinegruppenkommando West) directed the operations of heavy ships and raiders. Kriegsmarine specialist Lawrence Paterson examines how this command functioned, assessing the fleet's capabilities and the limitations imposed by confused pre-war planning – making ships like Bismarck perhaps less suited for raiding than intended. The book explores the complex command structure, the reliance on logistics and intelligence, the impact of acquiring French bases, and the Luftwaffe's failure to adequately support the surface fleet. Illustrated with artwork, diagrams, and photos, it covers key operations from the Graf Spee's cruise to the Channel Dash.
Super-Battleships of World War I: The lost battleships of the Washington Treaty
Author: Angus Konstam | Expected: 22 May 2025 | Format: Paperback | Price: £12.99
New Title: As WWI concluded, the victorious powers were poised for a new naval arms race, designing formidable 'hyper-dreadnoughts' and battlecruisers incorporating wartime lessons. Britain planned the G3 battlecruisers and N3 battleships with massive 18in guns; the US envisioned the South Dakota battleships (twelve 16in guns) and Lexington-class battlecruisers; Japan commenced work on the Amagi-class battlecruisers. Naval historian Angus Konstam explores these ambitious designs, largely halted by the 1922 Washington Naval Treaty. Featuring colour reconstructions, this book examines the monster warships that never sailed, save for a few converted into aircraft carriers like Lexington and Akagi.
Children’s & Young Readers
On An Ocean Journey: Animals in Motion through the Seas
Author: Elizabeth Shreeve | Expected: 13 May 2025 | Format: Paperback | Price: £10.99
New Title: Explore the diverse ways sea creatures navigate their aquatic world in this beautifully illustrated picture book. From kelp forest dwellers to swift predators and long-distance migrants riding the currents, Elizabeth Shreeve's rhythmic text and Ray Troll's scientifically accurate artwork capture the dynamism of marine life. Featuring over 30 species, the book also includes information on marine conservation to encourage young readers (ages 5–9) towards stewardship of our interconnected ocean. A short field guide helps identify the featured wildlife.
Weird Sea: Zombie Starfish, Underwater Aliens and Other Strange Tales of the Ocean
Author: Sophie Burrows | Expected: 8 May 2025 | Format: Paperback | Price: £8.99
Paperback Release: Forget gentle waves and sandcastles; the sea is far stranger than you think! This book dives into the wonderfully weird side of the ocean, uncovering tales of ghost ships, mega sharks, zombie starfish, and psychic sea serpents – not to mention the ominously named 'Hot Tub of Despair'. Award-winning author/illustrator Sophie Burrows presents a quirky collection of the ocean's oddest facts, myths, and legends, perfect for curious kids aged 5–7 who are ready to explore the wild, wonderful secrets beneath the waves.
Big Book of Big Sea Creatures: and some little ones too...
Author: Minna Lacey | Expected: 8 May 2025 | Format: Hardback | Price: £9.99
New Edition: Unfold enormous pages to encounter magnificent sea creatures, from the great white shark to the colossal blue whale, Earth's largest animal. Minna Lacey's engaging book uses stunning illustrations to showcase the scale and diversity of marine life in an accessible format. Highlighting the biggest, smallest, fastest, and oldest ocean dwellers, it's designed to captivate curious young minds and introduce them to the wonders beneath the waves.
Sea: Activity Book: A world beneath the waves
Authors: Selina Wood & Britta Teckentrup | Expected: 1 May 2025 | Format: Paperback | Price: £9.99
New Title: Dive into an absorbing underwater world with this activity book, featuring over 200 colourful stickers. Based on Britta Teckentrup's bestselling picture books, it's filled with puzzles, colouring scenes, mazes, and more, offering hours of creative entertainment. Designed by Selina Wood and illustrated by Teckentrup, this charming book introduces children to ocean themes through imaginative play, blending learning with fun.
The Last Unexplored Place on Earth: Investigating the Ocean Floor with Alvin the Submersible
Author: Aly Brown | Expected: 19 May 2025 | Format: Paperback | Price: £8.99
Paperback Release: While humanity has reached the highest peaks and lowest land points, the ocean floor remained largely unknown until relatively recently. The deep-sea submersible Alvin changed that. Capable of diving miles deep with a three-person crew, Alvin has been instrumental in discoveries ranging from lost H-bombs and hydrothermal vents to famous shipwrecks and hundreds of new species. Journalist Aly Brown chronicles Alvin's remarkable history and missions, using interviews and archival photos to create an inspiring STEM read for younger audiences.
Chart News: A Bright Horizon for Imray
Good news for chart users everywhere: Imray, the long-established British publisher of nautical charts and pilot books, has announced a joint venture with Austrian map specialists freytag & berndt. The new venture – FB Imray Laurie Norie & Wilson GmbH – will be headquartered in Vienna and aims to safeguard the future of Imray’s paper and digital products for years to come.
At SailorShop, we see this as a strong step forward. Imray’s blend of historical pedigree and practical usefulness has long earned it a trusted place aboard recreational vessels. This partnership should bring renewed investment, broader expertise, and welcome continuity at a time when paper charts face an uncertain future.
Charts and books remain available as usual – and we’ll continue to stock them. Behind the scenes, there’s a fresh wind filling the sails. We’ll keep you updated as the venture develops, but for now, it's reassuring to know that the Imray name – and the quality behind it – is here to stay.
What Do You Think?
Have you spotted something to add to your reading list? With more than 20 new releases this month, we're continuing to expand our nautical book selection to complement our chart offerings. We're adding titles daily, carefully selecting books that we believe deserve a place in your maritime library.
If you're just discovering our growing range beyond charts and cruising guides, we'd love to hear your thoughts. What other nautical subjects would you like to see represented in our collection?
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