Frederick Marryat

Best known today as a pioneer of the seafaring novel, Captain Frederick Marryat drew upon his experiences in the Royal Navy to produce such swashbuckling classics as The Phantom Ship and The Three Cutters, as well as the semi-autobiographical Mr Midshipman Easy. First published in 1836, this is the story of Jack Easy, who has joined the Navy to learn to stand on his own two feet, but finds himself caught up in a greater battle: to win the heart of a girl. Over the course of his adventures Jack learns about life as well as love: how life is a race to be won or lost, and how the equality of man is an chimera. Enlivened throughout by the author's characteristic nautical humour, what emerges is a delightful coming-of-age story that has remained, unsurprisingly, an enduring success of the genre.

The Pirate is a stirring tale of adventure on the high seas. Full of action and excitement, it is a ripping yarn from the acknowledged pioneer of the sea-novel. The Three Cutters brings together three disparate sets of seafarers aboard three different vessels: an aristocratic yachting party, officers of the customs service and a crew of smugglers. Infused with the author's love for the sea, this is a thrilling story of cat and mouse off the English coast.