Heroines and Harlots women at sea in the great age of sail Published by Macmillan Publishers Ltd in 2001 The American edition of this book is published under the title: Women Sailors and Sailors’ Women An untold maritime history Published by Random House Inc in 2001. Second paperback edition published by Random House Trade Paperbacks in 2007 under the new title of Seafaring Women: Adventures of Pirate Queens, Female Stowaways and Sailors’ Wives  For centuries the sea has been regarded as a male domain, but women have always played a part in maritime life. The author’s researches in the archives of Britain and America reveal that a surprising number of women went to sea dressed in men’s clothes and worked alongside the sailors for months and sometimes years on end. There were seafaring heroines like Mary Patten who, aged 19 and pregnant, took command of a clipper ship around Cape Horn when her husband fell ill; there were the lighthouse heroines Grace Darling and Ida Lewis, both of whom carried out dramatic rescues in storm conditions; and there were the women who were smuggled aboard by sailors, and the prostitutes on the waterfront. This book also examines the myths associated with women and water : the legends of sirens and mermaids, and the ambivalent attitude of sailors who thought a woman on board brought bad luck but prayed to the Virgin Mary to deliver them from storms and shipwreck.  “An absolutely fascinating glimpse into the lives of the intrepid women who went to sea during the great age of sail; the result is a significant contribution to women’s history as well as an excellent adventure read.” Booklist “There are more heroines than harlots in this unfailingly entertaining book…This is an exhaustive account of women and the sea, from female pirates to sirens and mermaids, and even those bosomy figure-heads on the bows of ships.” The Guardian “His researches in both primary and secondary sources were extensive, and yielded results that are every bit as surprising as they are interesting, informative and, in some instances, amusing… a valuable addition to nautical literature and a useful contribution to the study of women’s history.” The Washington Post “Vivid and fascinating…a dynamic and inviting look into the lives of British and American women of the water…a captivating story that no one interested in women’s history, community psychology, or maritime studies will want to be without…An exceptional academic feat.” Critique