A Thirst for the Sea. The Sailing Adventures of Erskine Childers

VINTAGESTAN BOOKS
Title: A Thirst for the Sea. The Sailing Adventures of Erskine Childers
Summary: A Thirst for the Sea: The Sailing Adventures of Erskine Childers is a biographical account that focuses on Erskine Childers’ lifelong passion for sailing and how the sea shaped both his character and his historical impact.
The book traces Childers’ journeys aboard small sailing vessels, especially in the waters around Britain and Ireland, showing how these adventures developed his skills in navigation, seamanship, and observation. Sailing is presented not just as a hobby but as a formative force that influenced his writing, politics, and sense of independence. His experiences at sea directly inspired his famous novel The Riddle of the Sands, one of the earliest and most influential spy thrillers.
Beyond adventure, the biography connects Childers’ maritime life to his political transformation from a loyal British civil servant to a committed Irish nationalist. The discipline, risk-taking, and self-reliance he learned through sailing mirrored his growing willingness to challenge authority and act on principle. Ultimately, the book portrays the sea as central to Childers’ identity, linking his love of sailing with his literary achievements and his role in Irish history.
Edited by: Hugh and Robin Popham 
Publisher: Stanford Maritime. London
Year Published: 1979
Edition: 1st Edition
Dimensions: 22cm x 14cm 
Binding type: Hardcover
ISBN: 0540071978
Notes: 
SKU: VSS / 257 / G / 6981 / 5325
Condition 
Dust Jacket Condition: Good. Handling marks, marks
Book condition: Good. Handling marks, marks
Binding: Intact
Pages: 178 pages
 
Postage
Postage weight: 600g
Package size: Parcel
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Grading explained
As New: Same condition as a new, unread book. In perfect condition
Fine: Book or dust jacket that is not quite a crisp as a as new book
Very good: A read book. Minimal wear to book / dust jacket. No tears on either binding or paper. No marks or highlighting of text, may have identifying marks on inside cover. 
Good: Describes the average used book that has all its pages or leaves. Light foxing or age toning may be present. Dust jacket may be missing, cover and binding may have wear. Majority of pages are undamaged. May have creasing or tearing and pencil underlining of text. No permanent highlighting to text or writing in margins. 
Fair: Describes a worn book that has complete text pages (including those with maps or plates), May lack end papers, half title page, etc. Binding and jacket may also be worn
Poor: Book shows considerable wear, only merit is as a reading copy. Book or dust jacket listed as poor may be soiled; scuffed, stained, book may have loose joints, hinges, pages etc.  
Ex-Library: Former library copy. May have marks and stamps.
From library of: From a privately owned library.
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