Member Reviews

*Voyages from the Past* by Dr. Simon Wills offers explores the world of sea travel from the perspective of the passengers themselves. Spanning three and a half centuries, this book provides readers with a collection of first-hand accounts that bring to life the experiences, challenges, and sometimes perils faced by those who journeyed across the oceans.

What I found particularly compelling about this book is how it captures the diversity of passengers, from wealthy businessmen traveling on luxury liners to emigrants hoping for a better life in distant lands. Each chapter is dedicated to a different traveler, offering a vivid narrative of their voyage based on historical records and personal diaries. The stories are not just about the journeys themselves, but also about the broader social and technological changes that shaped maritime travel over the centuries.

This book will appeal to history enthusiasts, especially those with an interest in maritime history, as well as anyone who enjoys reading about the personal stories of people from the past. It’s a well-researched and engaging read that offers a unique perspective on the history of sea travel.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to review a temporary digital ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

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I loved this book that talks about people travelling via ship during the century. Diffeent types of travels, ships, social classes.
I liked how the different travels were based on real life cases and was fascinated by the descriptions of the itinerary and how they travelled.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

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I thought this book was very interesting indeed. I remember my parents telling me that they were lucky to have migrated to Australia by plane, as so many others had to do it by ship and it took 3 months if you did. I can't even imagine being on a ship for that length of time, especially if you have small children with you as well.

Ship travel for passengers was fraught with danger, especially in the early days. Having to bring your own food, water and bedding, and hope that you didn't get sick or that the ship doesn't sink - they were very brave, those early pioneers! Even when my parents migrated, it was with the thought that they probably wouldn't see their relatives again, or at least, for years, but when you are migrating in the 1600's, just GETTING to your destination was not exactly guaranteed.

Very interesting first-hand accounts of travellers in different strata of society and going on these voyages for a variety of reasons.

4.5 stars from me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Pen & Sword.

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I really enjoyed this book by Dr Simon Wills. It was very well written and I would definitely recommend this to anyone.

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254 pages

5 stars

I have long been interested in all things ships. I have no idea why. I have never been on anything but a small yacht. When I discovered this book on NetGalley, I knew I had to read it.

This book uses the journals of passengers aboard various ships. They were journeying all over the world. It begins with a gentleman's account on a voyage to America in 1599 on a sailing ship.. The stories carry the reader all the way through the growth of the passenger trade and the modernization of ships.

What a difference! The inaugural passenger ships were primarily cargo carriers. In the early days, the travelers’ “cabins” were made of sheets of wood to separate the individuals and families and were no bigger than a twin size bed. In this space, the families were supposed to live, store their bedding (they had to bring their own), and their implements needed for farming or whatever trade they were seeking upon arrival. Pirates were also a concern on early voyages.

The crews on the early ships were not kind to the passengers. They derided those who were seasick and said some heinous things to them.

Paddlewheel steamships made their entry into the England to New York passenger trade in the mid-1930’s. As the ships improved on propulsion and building materials, so too did the passenger accommodations.

These original before unpublished stories are both illuminating and interesting. I very much appreciated hearing the passengers' own voices. (And how English changed throughout the years.) This book is edited very well and includes all kinds of stories from the first passenger ships including some that foundered. I liked how the passengers were a mix from the very wealthy to the poor immigrants. There were some great photographs at the end of the book.

I want to thank NetGalley and Pen & Sword/Pen & Sword History for forwarding to me a copy of this fascinating book for me to read, enjoy and review. The opinions expressed here are solely my own.

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