Stars to Steer By, Julia Jones

Julia’s latest book tells the stories of more than 100 women sailors from the 1870s to the present day. Its focus, however, is on the twentieth century: trying to get some sense of how the social history of the time and the gradual steps towards equality, are reflected in the lives -- and sometimes the struggles -- of independent women who longed to go to sea. Sailing can so often seem to be a male dominated activity, but women have been on board all along, often almost invisibly. Focussing on the 'stars' - people like Ann Davison, Clare Francis, Naomi James, Tracy Edwards and Ellen MacArthur -- is thrilling and inspiring. Yet realising how women can be found on board clipper ships, in naval uniform, in boatyards, tending navigation marks, as well as racing or cruising should be encouraging even for the least adventurous. And let's never forget that the most popular all-time guide to celestial navigation was written by a woman -- Mary Blewitt, whose story is in this book.

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