David Joel's study of British marine artist Charles Brooking (1723-1759) is much more than a biography of this sadly neglected master. Joel's excellent work places Brooking in the context of his time, with discussions of the earlier marine artists who influenced him, and the later ones who followed in his footsteps. All known works are catalogued and most are pictured, the more important ones in very good color. There are also many color reproductions of earlier, contemporary and later marine artists. This work shows that Brooking, with his intelligent attention to details of wind, wave, and their actions on ships and his obvious knowdedge of seamanship and naval architecture, was a strong inspiration to modern marine artists such as Geoff Hunt and Mark Meyers. Highly recommended!