Steady, Boys, Steady!

The author says this book is a profound study of our incomparable Navy, and indeed it is, but the guileless solemnity with which he presents and explains a wealth of untoward incident combines Norfield's innocently literal interpretations to make it just as diverting as it is profound. Beyond doubt there is no other like it. Both author and artist are out for fun. They take an impish delight in looking at things in every way but the normal and what they see loses nothing but their sense of period which is certainly as timeless as the sea itself. No extract can do justice to a book where every page is marked by hilarious misunderstanding, but mention of the sailmakers who were ordered not to wear any trousers when leaving the dockyards and the tremendous consequences in naval evolution that resulted, if Mr. Bestead is to be believed, will give some idea of the fare provided by a great service when seen through the eyes of experience. After all, it is truly said that only the great can laugh at themselves.