This is a marvellous book, covering all practical aspects of Navigation and Nautical Astronomy - the "epitome" of the subject, in fact. It begins with a basic framework of mathematics, geometry and plane trigonometry and goes on to cover all practical and theoretical aspects of sailing and navigating from determining longitude from lunar distances to using a lead line.

This is a marvellous book, covering all practical aspects of Navigation and Nautical Astronomy - the "epitome" of the subject, in fact. It begins with a basic framework of mathematics, geometry and plane trigonometry and goes on to cover all practical and theoretical aspects of sailing and navigating from determining longitude from lunar distances to using a lead line.
'Having been for several years past engaged in the instruction of persons designed for, or belonging to the Sea, I have frequently had occasion to lament that most of the existing works on Practical Navigation, and particularly some that have been generally well circulated, are extremely erroneous, both in the instructive and tabular parts, and by no means calculated to answer all the purposes of the Mariner, Teacher or Pupil'. Thus begins the author, J. Norie, in his original introduction to the first edition. The reviser, W. Rosser, laments that he was unable to rewrite the present edition from scratch, however the publishers decided to defer 'to the judgement and views of their numerous patrons and customers' and insisted on maintaining the original form of the work, while updating the content.