By J Russell Jinishian, Greenwich Workshop Press. ISBN 086 713 0881

Superbly presented, with over 140 colour reproductions of paintings, scrimshaw and sculpture, Russell Jinishian's book is a tribute to the best American marine art of the twentieth and twenty-first century. An annotated artist index provides a useful reference to the artists, their background, subjects and medium.

By Robert Jones, First Light. ISBN 1 84114 545 9

A fascinating tribute to Reuben Chappell, one of the last and arguably one of the finest pierhead painters. In his paintings Chappell records the zenith and decline of the days of commercial sail - and the ascent of steam power. But what makes this book special is not just Chappell's art but also author Robert Jones's commentary on a unique period of British maritime history.

Edited by Gloria Clifton and Nigel Rigby. ISBN 0948065427

The National Maritime Museum at Greenwich has the largest collection of maritime-related objects in the world. Over 300 beautifully photographed items are featured in this A-Z companion, each accompanied by an explanation of its significance.

They range from the Caird Astrolabe (c. 1230) to a Zulu-class herring drifter (c. 1930). There are also some of the most treasured items from the Museum's collection of Nelsonia, including one of a pair of rings exchanged between Nelson and Emma Hamilton and Nelson's
breakfast service.

Geoff Hunt, Conway Maritime, ISBN 0-85177-971-9  

“I have always painted, as far back as I can remember, and always ships...” Geoff Hunt, President of the Royal Society of Marine Artists is deservedly recognised as possibly the premier nautical painter of his generation.

This magnificent book contains over 100 paintings and sketches, and is enriched by Geoff's personal discussion of techniques and artistic influences; of particular interest is his section “Illustrating the Naval writers” in which he takes us behind the scenes of three of the covers of the Kydd series.

Clippers, Packets and Men-o'-War Bounty Books ISBN 0 7537 1140 0

Five true masters of the tall ship genre - Roy Cross, Derek Gardner, John Groves, Geoff Hunt and Mark Myers - explore every period from the Viking age to the present. Previously published as “The Tall Ship in Art”.

Yachts on Canvas by James Taylor. Conway Maritime Press. ISBN 1 84486 020 5

A visual tribute to the yacht selected from the work of leading artists such as Van de Veldes, Turner, Brooking, Cozzens and many others. International in scope and covers images from the 17th century to the present day. Not since the 1920s has a serious study of yachting art been undertaken, and Taylor splendidly remedies that omission.