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Nautical Story Writer: The Life and Works of Matthew Henry Barker, 'The Old Sailor'
Contributor(s): Marshall, Paul N. (Author)
ISBN: 1845198395     ISBN-13: 9781845198398
Publisher: Liverpool University Press
OUR PRICE:   $69.25  
Product Type: Paperback
Published: February 2017
Qty:
Temporarily out of stock - Will ship within 2 to 5 weeks
Additional Information
BISAC Categories:
- Biography & Autobiography | Adventurers & Explorers
- History | Military - Naval
Dewey: B
LCCN: 2016038001
Physical Information: 1.6" H x 7.1" W x 9.3" (2.00 lbs) 380 pages
 
Descriptions, Reviews, Etc.
Publisher Description:
The fictional nautical story was extremely popular from the mid 1820s to about 1850. The best known writer in this field was undoubtedly Frederick Marryat, but the stories of Matthew Henry Barker (1790-1846), 'The Old Sailor, ' rivaled those of his contemporary in popularity. Both authors are in the first rank of writers of nautical fiction, but it is generally acknowledged that Barker's descriptions of the man-of-war's man, the forecastle Jack Tar, are without equal. Although several biographies of Marryat have been published, very little relating to Barker's life and works is readily available. A Nautical Story Writer sets out the life and works of Barker, a journalist, novelist, and Whig. Part One provides a detailed biography of his life, sea service, adventures, and engagement with friends and politicians. Part Two details his published works, including information about material erroneously credited to the author. Paul Marshall's book is based, in part, on information collected from institutions in the UK and US. An additional primary source has been the substantial archive of material related to the Barker family, which consists of correspondence between Barker and his friends and business associates (e.g. William Jerdan, Frederic Shoberl, Effingham Wilson, Edward Duncan), along with a variety of family documents. Although Barker is an author from the classic period, his written observations will be of interest to readers of the Horatio Hornblower novels of C. S. Forester, and the Aubrey-Maturin series of Patrick O'Brian. The provided extensive bibliographic information will make this work an essential acquisition for university libraries and antiquarian booksellers. *** Marshall's text fulfills the important role of documenting Barker's life and works, and also examines the significance of his writings in their historical, political, and social contexts. --The International Journal of Maritime History, Vol. 30(1) [Subject: Maritime Fiction Genre, History, Biography, Literary Criticism