Seashaken Houses

Tom Nancollas

Penguin

£9.99

Although subtitled ‘A Lighthouse History from Eddystone to Fastnet’ this beautifully written account is a selective exploration of seven rock lighthouses: the Eddystone, Bell Rock, Haulbowline, Perch Rock, Wolf Rock, Bishop Rock and Fastnet. A 300-year history is constructed from these iconic examples: it’s an exploration into different levels of meaning as well as use.  Nancolles is a building conservationist so appreciates both the practical challenge of dovetailing granite blocks in extraordinary conditions and the evidence of social and cultural aspiration. His degree of physical access to each lighthouse varies: a compelling penultimate chapter records five days stay on the Fastnet. These granite lighthouses may tremble imperceptibly at the battering of the sea – they still offer a generous certainty to navigators.