This is a unique book in that Robert Carter had the rare opportunity to acquire first-hand information about the last of the wind driven ships from the final generation of sailing ship sailors. His friendship with Captain Eben Anderson led on to other contacts in the world of square rig and to world-wide connections through the Finnish grain ships. The book is an interesting blend of interviews, diary extracts and stories, all illustrated with forty of Robert Carter's beautiful and detailed paintings. These paintings are not just illustrations of ships but each, with its own description reveals yet another story or happening from the days of sail. We are also given a good insight into the various reasons why commercial sail lost the battle against powered vessels, how it was able to exist until half way through the 20th century and also some very colourful accounts of the harsh life in the last of the windjammers.