The story of Zephaniah Job, the remarkable Cornishman who not only masterminded the flourishing contraband trade in Polperro

An assessment of the work of the contractors who were commissioned by the Victualling Board to provision the fleet in this period. Provisioning the fleet, and the army overseas, during the French Wars of 1793-1815 was a major undertaking. This book explains how the Victualling Board in London handled this enormous task, focusing in particular on contractors -that is the merchants and brokers, who provided a vast range of commodities including flour and biscuit, salt beef and pork, as well as huge quantities of fresh water and coal, and every other item needed. It shows how these merchants could be large or small concerns, and provides detailed case studies of different kinds of contractors, including examples of contractors based both in Britain and in the navy's overseas bases. The book demonstrates how, overall, the contracting system represented the mobilisation of a substantial part of the British economy for war; how the performance of contracting was effective, with little or no corruption; and how the contractors took considerable financial risks and made only reasonable margins. It assesses the performance of the Victualling Board, arguing that this was good, and that the problem in the major area of weakness - accounting - was quickly addressed following a major crisis in 1808-09. It concludes that this was "an impressive performance" by the state, but that the overwhelming advantage was the resilience of the market, and that it was "upon the success of the contractors that the war at sea was won." For most of his career, ROGER KNIGHT was on the staff of the National Maritime Museum, leaving as Deputy Director in 2000. Since then he has taught at the Greenwich Maritime Institute at the University of Greenwich, where he is currently Visiting Professor of Naval History. MARTIN WILCOX completed a doctorate in maritime history at the University of Hull, and has been employed as postdoctoral research fellow at Greenwich Maritime Institute since 2006.

There is nothing 'little' about the history of Cornwall! However, this small volume condenses that fascinating, rich history into a collection of stories and facts that will make you marvel at the events the county has witnessed. Discover Henry VIII's plan to protect the county from invasion from Catholic Europe, the important development of tin mining on the north coast and the rise of seaside resorts all around the county. Take a journey through Cornwall's historic struggles and celebrations or jump in to the era of your choice to discover the who, what and why of Cornish history.

Smuggling was rife in Britain between the seventeenth and mid-nineteenth centuries, and since then smugglers have come often to be romanticised as cheeky rogues – as highwaymen of the coasts and Robin Hood figures. The reality could be very different. Cut-throat businessmen determined to make a profit, many smugglers were prepared to use excessive force as often as they used cunning, and the officers whose job it was to apprehend them were regularly brutally intimidated into inaction. Trevor May explains who the smugglers were, what motivated them, where they operated, and how items ranging from barrels of brandy to boxes of tea would surreptitiously be moved inland under the noses of, and sometimes even in collusion with, the authorities.

“Witty and whimsical.” —Booklist In 1819, during the Tinkering Prince’s Regency, Loveday Penhale is a young inventor living next door to the Trevelyan estate of Gwynn Place. Celeste Blanchard is a young French aeronaut running away from an unwanted marriage. When Celeste is blown off course during her escape and Loveday saves her life, they join forces against the technological might of Napoleon in a desperate attempt to save England from invasion. Follow their adventures in the skies and the drawing room as they journey from England to France and back again, managing the intrigue of Napoleon’s court, uncovering French spies in England, and then joining the most elite steampunk corps in England, the Prince’s Own Engineers. Their ultimate goal? To develop an airborne fleet that will end Napoleon’s dreams of conquering their homeland forever. And if love should find them along the way—what better choice could a landed gentleman make than a lady of the air? “These two authors blend together so well that I am unable to tell where one ends and the other continues. The entire series is fun to read. As I neared the ending, I slowed my reading pace. I wanted to make the story last as long as possible… and the ending left me thoroughly satisfied. Brava!” —Detra Fitch, Huntress Reviews This box set contains the Regent’s Devices trilogy set in the Magnificent Devices steampunk world. It promises no strong language, the possibility of a very proper kiss, and a guaranteed happy ending of the trilogy. If you like books by Regina Scott, Gail Carriger, or Emma Jane Holloway, you’re in the right place. Enjoy!

The novels of the irresistible Raveneau & Beauvisage families – ALL together for the first time! Step back in time with New York Times bestselling author Cynthia Wright and immerse yourself in a world of Rakes & Rebels… where adventure, romance, humor, and passion all conspire to weave tales you will never forget! Meet the Raveneau & Beauvisage families in the 12 intertwining novels of THE COMPLETE RAKES & REBELS SERIES: HEART OF FRAGILE STARS – England, 1749 - Dashing corsair Jean-Philippe Beauvisage revels in his life of freedom until one night at a ball, when a Russian beauty steals his heart. His instant attraction is soul-deep, but Antonia is bound for America. Take to the high seas with Jean-Philippe as he plots to capture his lady’s heart of fragile stars. SILVER STORM – America, 1781 – Privateer Captain André Raveneau saves spirited Devon Lindsay after her Connecticut town is burned by the British and she stows away on his ship. He agrees to deliver her to her soldier sweetheart, but doesn't count on passion sizzling between them. CAROLINE – Philadelphia, 1783 - Major Alexandre Beauvisage is returning from the Revolutionary War when he discovers an injured female with no memory of her past. Against his better judgment, Alec takes Caro home with him to Philadelphia and quickly falls under the innocent foundling’s spell. TOUCH THE SUN – Philadelphia, 1789 - Lion Hampshire aspires to a seat in America’s first Congress, but his rakish reputation needs mending. An arranged marriage with Virginia-bred beauty Priscilla seems a good idea until Lion meets her lady’s maid, the enchanting Meagan South. SPRING FIRES – Philadelphia & London, 1793 – Lisette Hahn, proprietress of a popular CoffeeHouse, is proudly resistant to men’s advances until grief causes her to succumb to one night of passion with Nicholai Beauvisage. But what will the dawn bring? SMUGGLER’S MOON – England, 1798 – When Julia Faircloth switches places with her sister at the altar to save her from the marriage bed of Lord Sebastian Trevarre, she doesn't dream that they'll live on a crumbling estate in Cornwall, or that Sebastian might resort to smuggling to restore his fortune. THE SECRET OF LOVE – England & France, 1808 - Lady Isabella fell for irresistible Gabriel St. Briac the first time she saw him. Now a woman grown, she’s more interested in pursuing her career as an artist than affairs of the heart. But when Gabriel’s masterpiece is stolen, Isabella is determined to help in the dangerous search… SURRENDER THE STARS – England, 1814 – Lindsay Raveneau’s family goes undercover in London, spying for America, and renegade sea captain Ryan Coleraine joins them, pretending to be Lindsay’s brother. Forbidden passion mounts as they carry their masquerade to London’s Regency salons. HER DANGEROUS VISCOUNT – France, England, & America, 1814 – Natalya Beauvisage is determined to write about romance, not live it, but when Grey St. James escapes from Napoleon’s French prison and bids her travel with him, she is caught up in an adventure that awakens her deepest passions. HIS MAKE-BELIEVE BRIDE – Cornwall, 1818 – Untamable pirate Justin St. Briac and destitute widow Mouette Raveneau bring all their baggage, defenses, and hidden longings to a marriage that's only make-believe. Can these two wounded souls find their way to real love? HIS RECKLESS BARGAIN – England & Barbados, 1818 - Regency rake Nathan Raveneau masquerades as protector to impetuous Adrienne Beauvisage, charged to keep her safe and chaste… but matters get complicated when he abducts her himself, sailing off to magical Barbados. TEMPEST – America & Barbados, 1903 – Newport heiress Catherine Parrish eludes her mother’s ambition that she wed a Duke by proposing a marriage of convenience to destitute rake Adam Raveneau. On his neglected Barbados estate, can Cathy and Adam navigate the bumpy path to real love?