Books published by Fireship Press

This is not a book about history. It IS history.First published in 1859, it is literally a snapshot of the language used by the 18th and 19th Century common man. With it, you can enter into his world as he or she saw it, felt it and expressed it. No novel, no history book can or will ever give you that perspective.Tell me:. If you knew someplace was a "knocking shop" would you go in?. Would an 18th Century seaman drink a couple of "scotches" or whistle at them?. Is "casting up your accounts" something a business person would do?. Would you resort to "chariot buzzing" to build-up your supply of "chinkers"?. Would you eat a "Sharp''s-Alley" chicken?Some of the definitions are tragic and some are outrageously funny. But if you want to genuinely understand their world-if you want to understand the world portrayed in books by Jane Austin, C.S. Forester, Patrick O''Brian or Dudley Pope-you need this book by your side.This work is based on John Camden Hotten''s 1860 edition of A Dictionary of Modern Slang, Cant, and Vulgar Words.

Wife - Mother - Combat Officer - Confederate Spy. One of the most remarkable figures of the Civil War: Loreta Velazsquez. Take a Confederate officer who recruits 236 men in four days, who fought in the First Battle of Bull Run, became a spy, fought in the siege of Fort Donelson, was wounded, again served as a spy, fought in the Battle of Shiloh, wounded again, served as a spy again, and finished the war attempting to organize a rebellion of Confederate prisoners of war. Such a person would be hailed as one of the South's great heros. Well, there was such a person, only he was a she. Her name is Loreta Velazsquez and, disguised as "Lt. Harry T. Buford," did all those things and more. This is her story. The book is not without controversy, even today. When it was first published Confederate General Jubal Early said the book was an obvious fiction. Modern historians have said the events were so improbable that they can't be true. But the History Channel says the book IS true and did a one-hour TV special on the subject called Full Metal Corset. You can believe it or not. Take your choice. Either way it's an exciting, informative, read. A part of the Women Warrior Series

The First Modern Spy Thriller: The Riddle of the Sands Two sail-boaters are cruising off the coast of Germany on a vacation. To their amazement they discover a German military exercise-a trial-run for the invasion of England. From that starting point we are whisked through a series of mysteries, bluffs, counter-bluffs, and wild nautical maneuvers as our sail-boaters try to learn more and get their information back to England. Through it all, Childers brilliantly captures the style and attitudes of the day. His use of military terms and concepts is creditable, and his depiction of small boat sailing is impeccable. What is astonishing is that the book was written before WW-I and correctly anticipates the coming military aggressiveness of Germany. As such, it created a sensation when it was first released, and remains a classic, perhaps THE classic, spy-action-adventure novel to this day. Whether you are a boater, a military buff, a spy novel fan, or just like a good thrilling read-this book is for you. Move over Ian Fleming and make way for your grandpa!

An impenetrable wall encloses the land of Fenwold, its origins shrouded in the mists of time. Those who live in its shadow sweat out a meagre living from the land, but marauding raiders attack their villages and steal their livelihood. Brave young Council Marshal Dominic Bradley comes into close contact with the mysterious Wall in his struggle to combat the outlaw bands. Bradley has been charged with the task of finding a way through the Wall to a new land that lies on its far side. He hopes not only to uncover his people's heritage, but also to deliver them to their destiny. How or where to begin, he has no idea - until he hears an old woman recite a strange and compelling riddle... "A fast, enthralling read with a mystery that keeps you guessing to the very end." - Jacey Bedford, Science Fiction Author "What does the future hold? What's beyond the technological end-game? Through vivid prose and imagination the author sets the hero on a search ... to give new hope to civilisation." - Paul Sutherland, Multi-Published Author and Editor

The woman who ruled a nation and framed an Era. Alexandrina Victoria was conceived in a race between two disreputable, aging princes to beget an heir to the throne of England. She was only eighteen when she inherited the crown, twenty when she married her German cousin, Prince Albert, and eighty-one when she died in 1901. Her reign lasted sixty-three years and seven months-longer than any other British monarch. Strachey describes, with his characteristic flair, the politicians and courtiers who swarmed around this queen, exerting influence and shaping history. These included Melbourne, Palmerston, Gladstone, and Disraeli. Center stage, however, is the queen herself-stubborn, energetic, unthinkingly fierce in her loyalties, and with a determination to do good that was constantly at war with her pride of place. Queen Victoria, the Widow of Windsor, Empress of India. Meet the woman whose name became synonymous with an Age. Winner of the James Tait Black Memorial Prize. Britain's Oldest Literary Award

Everyone has heard of the USS Constitution and the USS Constellation. They were the first two ships commissioned into the United States Navy. But have you ever heard of the Liberty and the Invincible? They were the first two ships commissioned into the Navy of the Republic of Texas. Between 1835 and 1845 the Republic of Texas had their own fleet. In between court martialing each other, suppressing mutinies, legalizing piracy and getting stone drunk in New Orleans-they actually found the time to beat the British and Spanish-trained Mexican Navy. In 1906, Alex Dienst made an exhaustive study of the Texas Navy. Using original source documents and newspaper accounts of the day-now, in many cases, long lost-he put together this intriguing book. It's a little known story of chaos and confusion, mixed with unparalleled heroism and self-sacrifice. It deserves to be told again. Fireship Press is proud to bring this book back to life as part of our Contemporized Classics Series.

The Story of America's Finest Ship As Told by Three of Her Finest Historians On October 21st 1797, the 44-gun frigate Constitution slid down the ramp at Hartt's shipyard and into the chilly waters of Boston Harbor. While the workmen were proud of their efforts, no one-but NO one-thought she would still be serving her country 210 years later. Yet the Constitution remains afloat, having survived three wars, service on numerous distant stations, duty as a receiving ship, extended periods of neglect and decay, and occasional brushes with the breaker's yard. She has survived all those tribulations to become the oldest commissioned ship still afloat in the world, and a symbol of the heritage and pride our country. Her story is told in a series of 34 short essays by three of the country's leading experts on the USS Constitution's history: Charles E. Brodine, Jr., Michael J. Crawford and Christine F. Hughes of the Naval Historical Center in Washington, DC. Originally published as: Old Ironsides: An Illustrated Guide to USS Constitution, it is brought to a much wider audience in this Fireship Press edition

Perhaps the two best historical novels ever written about the Hundred Years War"[These two books] made an accurate picture of that great age, and that as a single piece of work they form the most complete, satisfying and ambitious thing I have ever done." - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Certainly everyone has heard of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. His Sherlock Holmes stories will never be forgotten. But most people don't realize that he was also very possibly the best historical novelist of his day. Sir Nigel and the White Company combines two of his best novels into one. Sir Nigel describes the early years of Nigel Loring during his initial service with King Edward III during the Hundred Years War. Doyle captures the period brilliantly-from the cadence and style of their speech, to unforgettable descriptions of court life, to the capture of the Castle of La Brohiniere, to a stirring account of the Battle of Poitiers. It is a classic adventure tale, full of romance, chivalry, battles, brutality, and humor as the impoverished Nigel Loring and his attendant Aylward seek their fortunes. In The White Company, it is now 1366 and Sir Nigel is the leader of a raucous band of English bowmen known as the White Company. It's a story of hard blows and daring feats, to be sure, but it also captures the spirit that animated the English leaders and the reasons behind the fearsome reputation of the English archers. When Conan Doyle was once asked which novel of his was his favorite, he replied, The White Company. "I was young" he said, "and full of the first joy of life and action and I think I got some of it into my pages." If you enjoy reading about chivalrous knights and glorious deeds, in a context of historical accuracy, this book is for you. "Now order the ranks, and fling wide the banners, for our souls are God's, our bodies the king's, and our swords for Saint George and for England!" - The White Company