Author Rif Winfield has a new book out  which is now available for pre-order in hardcover, First Rate: The Greatest Warships of the Age of Sail. Release date 30 July 2010.

In the sailing era First Rates were the largest, most powerful and most costly ships to construct, maintain and operate. Built to the highest standards, they were lavishly decorated and given carefully considered names that reflected the pride and prestige of their country. They were the very embodiment of national power, and as such drew the attention of artists, engravers and printmakers. This means that virtually every British First Rate from the Prince Royal of 1610 to the end of sail is represented by an array of paintings, drawings, models or plans.

Author James L. Nelson has a new book out  which is now available for pre-order in hardcover, George Washington's Great Gamble: And the Sea Battle That Won the American Revolution. Release date 1 June 2010.

In the opening months of 1781, after six years of grinding war, General George Washington feared his army would fail to survive another campaign season. The spring and summer only served to reinforce his despair, but in late summer the changing circumstances of war presented a once-in-a-war opportunity for a French armada to hold off the mighty British navy while his own troops with French reinforcements drove Lord Cornwallis's forces to the Chesapeake. It was the only opportunity Washington and his French allies ever had for a combined land-and-sea action against the British, and they used it brilliantly.

Author Christopher J. Valin has a new book out  which is now available in paperback, Fortune's Favorite: Sir Charles Douglas and the Breaking of the Line.

When you think of the great heroes of the 18th Century Royal Navy, you would probably think of Horatio Nelson, possibly Sir Sidney Smith; but would the name Sir Charles Douglas spring to mind? If it doesn't-it should.

Author Tom Bowling has a new book out  which is now available for pre-order in paperback, A Brief History of Pirates and Buccaneers. From Stevenson's "Treasure Island" to "Pirates of the Caribbean", the romantic image of pirates in popular culture has long been with us. But pirates are not all as charming as Johnny Depp. In ancient times Thracians, Cilicians and Illyrians terrorised traders in the Mediterranean, while the Barbary pirates of North Africa instilled fear wherever they went from the Holy Lands to the coast of Ireland. It was not until the age of Discovery, when ships began to cross the Atlantic carrying unimaginable riches from the New World that the traditional image of the buccaneering pirate was created. In England, heroes such as Sir Francis Drake were feted for their exploits against the Spanish fleet in which piracy was little more than state-sponsored terrorism. Tom Bowling's lively history explores many of the myths and true stories about the notorious outlaws of the oceans: including Captain Kidd, Blackbeard as well as Mary Read and other famous female pirates.