Three new books

Golden Duck has never published three new books at the same time but we were spurred on by the effort being put into the wooden boat stage at the Southampton Boat Show. We feel that our books, like their stage, represent something more artisanal and individual than many larger and corporate publishers put forward. That doesn’t mean that we don’t enjoy reading books of all sorts from many different publishes, just that those we produce in-house are very much produced in the house as Bertie, our typesetter works here and all decisions about design, presentation, image-choice as well as introductions, sending out to selected readers etc are kitchen-table discussions.

From the Devil to the Deep Blue Sea by Clare Allcard recalls the traumatic events which led to her spending two years in psychiatric hospitals in the late 1960s before she met her future husband, Edward, and escaped to a life of adventure. “A must read for anyone who finds themselves in a difficult place, facing their own struggles’ Emma Jones (Human Rights Lawyer)

Scapa Ferry by Antony Bridges is a new edition of a WW2 book first published in 1957, including (with permission) the original jacket design by Val Biro. Some older readers will remember this book but for others it will be an eyeopening insight into the initiative and effort of two individuals judged unfit for direct war work. It also contains outstanding descriptive writing of the troubled waters of the Pentland Firth and wild winter weather coming in from the Atlantic. It was an emotional moment for Richard Bridges (pictured above) when he proposed the health of the books. Some years after the publication of the first edition, both his parents had been lost at sea.

As we worry about the condition of young inner city children, growing up in difficult circumstances or being taken into Care, we might think what a difference it could make to them, gaining the experience of sailing a small boat, needing to learn the rules of seamanship and, above all, meeting people from completely different backgrounds and building friendships. All this, and so much more, feeds into the tale of Lady Rozelle Raynes, Martha McGilda and The Tuesday Boys. As Libby Purves says it’s a book to raise the spirits, though it leaves uncomfortable questions about the opportunities open to young people today.