The Literary Review has again devoted space to a book with a naval theme. This month's issue contains a review of Roy & Lesley Adkins' latest book, 'Jack Tar: Life in Nelson's Navy' (Little, Brown £20)
The review, by Nigel Jones, though long, is rather disappointing; beyond describing the book as 'spirited and unsparing', it gives no opinion or comment - merely lists some of the information to be found in the book. I do deplore this kind of reviewing that is becoming more prevalent - you simply get a digest of the content with little or nothing about the quality of the writing - though those of us who know the Adkins' previous, admirable work will have 'Jack Tar' on order or will be dropping hints for Christmas to our nearest and dearest.
I wonder if the reviewer is the same Nigel Jones who has written biographies of Rupert Brooke and Patrick Hamilton? If so, it is a pity that someone used to working with historical and biographical material didn't write a more insightful review.
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