A dedicated shelf for books written by members of the Irving family: Commander John Irving's naval histories, seamanship manuals, and yachting classics, alongside Beryl Irving's children's stories and family books.
These titles sit slightly apart from the main historical catalogue, but belong to the same archive tradition: restoring out-of-print works, preserving context, and making them available in durable modern editions.
Royal Navy officer, yachtsman, and maritime writer. His books range from practical navigation and flag etiquette to naval language, Jutland, Coronel and the Falklands, and the great yachting compendia.
Good starting points: The Yachtsman's Week-End Book, Navigation of Small Yachts, The Smoke Screen of Jutland.
Beryl Irving's books bring the family shelf into domestic and imaginative territory: children's adventure, fantasy, and the wartime household classic The Family Week-End Book.
Good starting points: The Dawnchild, Daffy Goes to Sea, The Family Week-End Book.
PaperbackBeryl Irving · Paperback · 280pp
A restored 1926 children's fantasy by Beryl Irving: lonely Mig follows the mysterious Dawnchild toward Dawnland, pursued by Cousin Belinda and the Umpis. Long remembered by readers as eerie, magical, and hard to find, this edition restores the original story…
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HardcoverBeryl Irving · Hardcover · 250pp
When a storm hits, the real adventure begins! Join Daffy Hetherington in a nail-biting summer treasure hunt aboard the sleek Gent Peter. Packed with ghostly suspense, rival crews, and heart-pounding twists, Daffy Goes to Sea is a delightful voyage of courage,…
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HardcoverBeryl Irving · Hardcover · 482pp
A restored Irving family edition of Beryl Irving's 1941 household classic: cooking, gardens, family games, pets, etiquette, old herb recipes, party ideas and domestic advice from another age. Hardback pre-order; final cover artwork and production files are in…
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HardcoverCommander John Irving · Hardcover · 250pp
Master the art of coastal navigation with Lt.-Commander John Irving's timeless guide for sailors and students of the sea. From plotting your first course to reading buoys and avoiding collisions, Coastal Navigation and Pilotage offers clear, practical…
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HardcoverCommander John Irving · Hardcover · 194pp
From the devastating defeat of a Royal Navy Squadron in the Battle of Coronel, to the Navy's resounding victory at the Battle of the Falkland Islands a few weeks later, this detailed account from the early days of World War I recounts two events that shaped…
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PaperbackCommander John Irving · Paperback · 250pp
Step aboard the cruiser Argonaut with Midshipman Dick Valliant as he embarks on a thrilling journey into the heart of the Great War. From the icy patrols of the North Sea to the sun-drenched waters of the Mediterranean, follow Dick as he confronts U-boats,…
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PaperbackCommander John Irving · Paperback · 250pp
Step aboard the cruiser Argonaut with Midshipman Dick Valliant as he embarks on a thrilling journey into the heart of the Great War. From the icy patrols of the North Sea to the sun-drenched waters of the Mediterranean, follow Dick as he confronts U-boats,…
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PaperbackCommander John Irving · Paperback · 250pp
Step aboard the cruiser Argonaut with Midshipman Dick Valliant as he embarks on a thrilling journey into the heart of the Great War. From the icy patrols of the North Sea to the sun-drenched waters of the Mediterranean, follow Dick as he confronts U-boats,…
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PaperbackCommander John Irving · Paperback · 39pp
For centuries, the art of flying flags at sea has been steeped in tradition, rules, and decorum. The Manual of Flag Etiquette, reviewed and accepted as correct by the Lord's Commissioners of the Admiralty, is the authoritative guide for yachtsmen and mariners…
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HardcoverCommander John Irving · Hardcover · 176pp
A guide to Royal Navy traditions, customs, and daily life aboard His Majesty’s ships, documenting naval heritage and practices.
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HardcoverCommander John Irving · Hardcover
“The Navigation of Small Yachts” is a specialized manual tailored specifically for the unique environment of a small, reeling vessel. Written by Lieut.-Commander John Irving, R.N., a cruising yachtsman himself, this textbook prioritizes practical “wrinkles”…
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HardcoverCommander John Irving · Hardcover · 200pp
A classic journey through the rivers and coastal waterways of Essex and Suffolk. Rivers of East Anglia brings to life the character, history, wildlife, sailing culture, and quiet beauty of England's eastern coast - ideal for sailors, travelers, and anyone who…
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HardcoverCommander John Irving · Hardcover · 175pp
The language of the Royal Navy A comprehensive glossary of naval vocabulary from wardroom to fo'c'sle-technical terms, slang, and the distinctive expressions of the Senior Service. Hardcover edition. Limited modern printing.
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BundleCommander John Irving · Bundle
Set sail on a thrilling Great War adventure with the Dick Valliant 3-Book Trilogy Bundle by Royal Navy veteran Lieut.-Commander John Irving. Follow young cadet Dick Valliant from training grounds to U-boat battles and daring rescues across the North Sea,…
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HardcoverCommander John Irving · Hardcover · 304pp
Step aboard the illustrious Britannia and embark on a voyage through history, where the allure of the sea meets the grandeur of royalty. The King's Britannia offers a captivating narrative that chronicles the life of the royal yacht Britannia.
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PaperbackCommander John Irving · Paperback · 349pp
The battle that should have won the war - and the controversy that followed. Commander John Irving's masterful defence of Admiral Jellicoe at Jutland, drawing on unpublished evidence to challenge decades of criticism.
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HardcoverCommander John Irving · Hardcover · 589pp
Step aboard a bygone era of British seamanship with The Yachtsman's Week-End Book - John Irving's timeless maritime classic. Blending history, wit, and nautical lore, this richly illustrated compendium captures the romance of sailing, seamanship, and sea life…
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