(no subject)

[hawkwing_lb]

Books 2008: 69.

69. David Cordingly, Heroines and Harlots: Women at Sea in the Great Age of Sail.

As a general introduction to the topic of women at sea, this scores a resounding meh. As a scholarly work, it's made of fail. While Cordingly treats of a number of interesting individuals, that is the main focus of his work: a chatty, shallow treatment of individuals, with very little rigorous analysis of social trends, conditions, consequences. His approach is haphazardly thematic, with little-to-no space given to consideration of change over time, and very little consideration of non-English or American evidence or individuals.

I mean, not that it's not interesting? But it's shallow, and I confess myself rather disappointed.

#

In other news, I have performed some study. I should probably go now to perform more.

Comments

[naomikritzer]

I am disappointed. It's got a great title.

[hawkwing-lb.livejournal.com]

It has.

Alas, David Cordingly is no Marcus Rediker. Rediker writes solid maritime history.

[clarentine]

Amen.

[clarentine]

Oh, dear. I suppose I should not be surprised; Cordingly's other work was not very scholarly, either, as I recall, but I'd hoped for more depth of inquiry into the lives of these people. It's frustratingly like having read the last work written by a now-deceased author. I hope Rediker writes more soon. *g*

[hawkwing-lb.livejournal.com]

Yes. Rediker and the social lives of women in the maritime world? That book does not exist, but I really want to read it. :)

[clarentine]

Yes yes yes! Perhaps he'll tell us what he recommends for reading on the subject.

[hawkwing-lb.livejournal.com]

One can always hope.

[clarentine]

http://www.marcusrediker.com/

His website. Apparently he's recently published a book about the slave trade. What most interests me, however, is the one he published before that, The Many-headed Hydra, about the revolutionary era that brought us the United States and the French Republic and others. It's the right time period for my work. Guess I'll be looking for a copy. *g*

[hawkwing-lb.livejournal.com]

Oh, thanks. I have Slave Ship - I'm probably taking it and Villains to Crete with me, since I'm going to miss out on the good fiction this summer. From the opening few pages, it seems to be up to the expected standard. :P