Tale of a transatlantic pioneer
Bonnie Geordie, by Sophie McCallum
Bonnie Geordie explores the life and times of a Victorian tycoon who was many things: mining engineer, entrepreneur, politician – and at one early point, union leader and keen mining safety advocate.
Sir George Elliott rose from humble beginnings as a Gateshead pit boy to become the owner of a vast network of mines which provided steam coal to the British Admiralty at 'a time when ruling the waves was all important'. His aptitude led him to become deeply involved in the manufacture and laying of the first transatlantic cable.
This enjoyable new biography, written by the subject's fourth great granddaughter, has a selection of interesting colour images and a handy index.
Bonnie Geordie: The Life of Tycoon Sir George Elliott
By Sophie McCallum
Amberley, £22.99
ISBN: 978 13981 02316
Landing page cover image: An 1863 photograph from the book of USS Niagara,one of the cable-laying ships on the first attempt to lay the Transatlantic cable in 1857. (National Museum of the US Navy).
Buy this book in the Nautilus Bookshop
While you're there, why not browse the rest of the titles in our unique maritime bookshop, which sells all the books reviewed on these pages.
Buy nowMore Books
The history beneath our hulls
Shipwrecks of the Solent, by Richard M JonesThis slim volume of maritime history is a fascinating book to have by your side when you're crossing the busy Solent sea area.
Bicentenary books about a beloved body
One Crew, by Helen Doe, and 200 Years of Lifesaving at Sea, by MirrorpixThe RNLI celebrated its 200th anniversary on 4 March this year. To mark the occasion, two attractive new books have been published: an official history and a 'life in pictures'.
Powerful academic appraisal of life at sea
Sea-Time: an ethnographic adventure, by Helen SampsonFew people have done more than Professor Helen Sampson to raise awareness and understanding of the lives of the world's seafarers.
Health reminder for maritime men
Sailing Through Life, by Nick ArdleyThis book is a helpful reminder to those working in the male-dominated seafaring industry that going for a checkup could save your life.