Rock Lighthouses of Britain & Ireland is a new edition of the classic work on the subject but with some of the most famous Irish rock lighthouses included. The text has been updated to include the modern technology being used by the lighthouse authorities, as well as all the historical advances made over the centuries at British and Irish rock lights. This is complemented by scores of new  and many stunning photographs as well as historic plans and drawings, many of them highly colourful and artistic, as used by the original lighthouse builders. At the end are comprehensive and detailed tables about all the rock lighthouses maintained by the three lighthouse authorities.

Building on the acclaim received for the earlier editions, it brings the history of these iconic structures completely up-to-date, from the days before the first granite block was laid, through their construction, automation, the disappearance of the lighthouse keeper, right up to today’s totally automatic operation.

These are some of the world’s most famous rock lighthouses, and their stories of men battling against Nature’s most powerful forces to build a structure designed to save lives on a seemingly impossible site. Rock Lighthouses of Britain & Ireland spans the centuries between the world’s first rock lighthouse on the Eddystone reef, to the very last rock lighthouse constructed in the traditional style – on Ireland’s Fastnet Rock – and accordingly it will remain the premier book about rock lighthouses.

Contents: Out of the darkness – A history of the British and Irish lighthouses services; Eddystone – The beginning; The Skerries – The price of generosity; The Smalls – A rock lighthouse on legs; Longships – The Land’s End light; The Longstone – Grace Darling’s light; Bell Rock – The start of the Stevensons; Tuskar Rock – The lighthouse that almost killed a King; The Skelligs – The lighthouse at the end of the road; Skerryvore – The noblest of all; Bishop Rock – The Blue Riband light; Fastnet – The last of the great rock towers; Muckle Flugga – The northern light; The Bull and The Calf – If at first you don’t succeed…; Wolf Rock – The curse of the Cornish wreckers; Dubh Artach – Guardian of the Hebrides; Chicken Rock –  A Manx crag; Flannan Isles – The Marie Celeste lighthouse; Rockall – ‘The most isolated rock on the surface on the earth’; South Rock – A remarkable survivor; Rock lights – A new era begins; Appendix – Rock lighthouse data

This handsome book will remain an essential volume for lighthouse enthusiasts, those with an interest in maritime history, and will appeal to all who enjoy tales of endeavour, ingenuity, the power of a wild sea and dogged determination.

'I managed to make the book last for three weeks, savouring each delicious chapter, day by day and was genuinely disappointed when I finished it. But I know I will be taking it down from the specially-reinforced bookcase many times in the future, not only for reference, but also because it is such a damned good read' Pete's Irish Lighthouses 

Find out why he needs a reinforced bookcase in the full review here

'A real breath of fresh air! ...Chris Nicholson’s latest update is altogether a different animal with the inclusion of several Irish lights. ... it is obvious that every page has been carefully crafted. ...a necessary acquisition to anyone who aspires to a book of real quality! You will not be disappointed... Worth every penny!' David Taylor, Bellrock.org.uk

'If you are looking for a book that shows off British and Irish lighthouses at their very, very best, then this is the book for you. ...beautifully produced and superbly illustrated... ...well-written and accessible text produced by an author whose love for his subject is obvious on every page. This is a book we would recommend very highly indeed'. Undiscovered Scotland

'This is a much expanded new edition of Nicholson’s classic bestselling lighthouse book... ...this volume is going in the right direction with its depth of research and broad gallery of illustrations, a sheer labour of love by a dedicated writer who has been with his chosen subjects for more than four decades'. Africa Ports & Ships

'...the book has fabulous photos of the lighthouses and their keepers, as well as some rare sketches from the archives. There's more about Irish rock lighthouses than in previous editions, and the story is brought up to date with all the modern technology now being used'. Nautilus

'No book review should be complete without constructive criticism, ... but it is extremely difficult to find fault with this edition, on any level. It’s a book you can dip into, with an abundance of beautiful colour photos and archival drawings, but really, Rock Lighthouse of Britain and Ireland deserves a full read. It truly is the ultimate work on Rock lighthouses'.  The Lightkeeper/Nova Scotia Lighthouse Preservation Society

'This is the must-have, premier book about rock lighthouses for any maritime enthusiast'. Lighthouse Digest

'This is a remarkable book that is not only a very interesting story, but a book you will find yourself returning to time after time to check some detail or just to gaze at the remarkable photographs and drawings. A must for any Mariner, but non Mariners will find it just as interesting'. The Journal, Honourable Company of Master Mariners

Praise for the previous edition:

‘...what a book it is, with new and revised text, information, layout and superb illustrations ... This is truly a feast of good reading for casual reader and serious pharologist alike. ...a rollicking good book, a copy of which really ought to be on everyone’s sagging bookshelf. Buy and enjoy’. LAMP

‘...handsomely produced third edition ... His detailed descriptions bring to life the painstaking work of engineers and builders. ...brings the story of these amazing structures and their keepers full circle and in doing so, Nicholson has produced a valuable record of a crucial and fascinating part of British maritime history’. The Lightkeeper

'This is a book of Wonders. ...A very Good book. Every home should have one'. The Marine Quarterly

Customer reviews:

I regard this as the best book I've yet read on the subject and if anyone wants an engrossing history of British rock lighthouses with a potent dose of high peril on the seas you probably need go no further.

Something haunting about the photos featured in this book and the stories of their construction and maintenance are epic.

The way it's written you really get a feel for the elements and this book is never anything less than absorbing.

The author's enthusiasm for these towers and admiration for their architects and builders is palpable.

An exceptional read on the subject of pharology.

Customer Comments