A Nautical September

Maybe it's the Indian Summer (or the never ending H O T and D R Y) but for whatever muse, I took the time to re-read John Keegan's "The Price of Admiralty." Bought the book when first it came out in 1989 because I enjoy historian Keegan's works. Good reading, especially the survey of 18th and early 19th century naval warfare in the Trafalgar story. Keegan gives a real feel for life onboard the great timber craft and how they managed.

In fact, the imagery was so vivid I had to re-visit Peter Weir's "Master and Commander." I like Russell Crowe - the Charlton Heston figure for the turn of the century. This 2003 hit is a manly adventure of the sea during the Napoleonic war. Crowe captain's the British ship Surprise in search of a French man-o-war heading for the Pacific. It's a great chase with splendid characters and stunning cinematography. Director Weir makes the ship and sea the central forces. It's a great Saturday afternoon movie for any ten year old kid of any age (I confess.)

Okay, now on to cooler weather in October!