Provides a history of 40 significant shipwrecks, along with maps plotting the sites of more than 1,400 wrecks around the world YA?An oversized treasure of a book, packed with illustrations, photographs, maps, and possibilities. Chronology runs from the Bronze Age through the Vikings, the Chinese, Levantine and Portuguese trades, the Armada, pirates and East India men, and the Titanic and Andrea Doria wrecks, ending with the 1944 sinking of the John Barry. Part Two is a gazetteer that surveys over 1,400 shipwrecks around the world. The information is detailed, showing the depths at which the sunken ships lie, routes taken, cargo carried, and detail on salvaging efforts. This is a book that immediately catches the eye, while perusal stimulates the imagination.?Frances Reiher, Kings Park Library, Fairfax, VA Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. Pickford, whose father worked as a researcher for an English salvage company involved in nearly 100 operations, here chronicles shipwrecks from the Bronze Age to the Vikings, then moves on to Chinese junks, the Levantine trade, the Portuguese and Spanish plate fleets, pirates, gold rush paddle-steamers, and, finally, to the Titanic and other modern ships. To be included, wrecks must have been laden with treasure. Colorful maps detail the historical trade routes and pinpoint the wrecks. A gazetteer surveys over 1400 shipwrecks around the world, including many that have yet to be salvaged; each is briefly described in the "Shipwreck Listings" section. A good history and a welcome reference for treasure seekers. Highly recommended for public libraries. John Kenny, San Francisco P.L. Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. Though the jacket proclaims this as "the first comprehensive guide to ships lost at sea and the treasures they have yielded," Pickford's introduction more modestly and accurately states that, because of the lack of records over the vast ages and areas involved," no book on this subject could pretend to be totally comprehensive." Defining a treasure ship broadly as "any ship used to transport a high-value cargo of precious metals or artifacts that do not lose their value when immersed for long periods in salt water," Pickford, a professional shipwreck researcher, provides illuminating text set in a sea of illustrations. The result is a book that is a fine starting point for shipwreck research as well as a browsable coffee-table book, because of the graphics for which Dorling Kindersley is esteemed. The atlas is divided into two main parts. The first, "Shipwrecks," examines 40 significant shipwrecks in two-page spreads combining text with profuse use of photographs and other illustrations. These shipwrecks are arranged into 14 groupings including "The Vikings," "Chinese Junks," and "Pirates and Privateers"; each has its own lavish introductory two-page spread. The book's second main part, "Gazetteer," has two sections: maps and shipwreck listings. The 20 double-page maps locate by number more than 1,400 shipwrecks, indicating for each relative sea depths in yards and meters, date of sinking, and whether or not some salvage history is known. The shipwreck listings indicates, where known, the ship's name and location on a map in the atlas, date of sinking, nationality, tonnage, location, route, cargo, and salvage record. Concluding the book are a glossary and a bibliography of about 100 entries each, as well as an index. That the index refers not at all to the 34 pages of shipwreck listings in part 2 makes it difficult to easily locate specific information, such as the cargo of the Titanic or the captain of the San Juan , in that section. The Lusitania , perhaps failing to meet the author's broad definition of treasure ship, escapes mention anywhere in the book. Recommended as a seaworthy addition to public, academic, and elementary and secondary school libraries for both reference and browsing. The Atlas of Shipwrecks and Treasure offers a wealth of information that is uniquely presented in the form of detailed, hand-drawn maps, stunning photos, and lucid text. Covering treasure shipwrecks around the world, from the Americas to Australia, Scandinavia to southern Africa, the shipwrecks are arranged thematically and chronologically, providing a historically correct reference tool that is extremely easy to use. Topics of particular interest (such as Chinese treasure ships, East Indian trading ships, and Gold Rush routes, as well as pirates and privateers) are highlighted in special theme pages. Beautiful locater maps plot more than 1,400 wrecks from around the world. The full color artwork is superlative. Readers can experience the romance and intrigue of a subject that has fascinated people for centuries. -- Midwest Book Review Nigel Pickford studied English at Cambridge University, and has carried on a family tradition of professional shipwreck research for salvage companies that extends back 50 years. He is an established authority