The Levelling Sea: The Story of a Cornish Haven in the Age of Sail

by Philip Marsden

Levelling Sea

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Maritime, British Literature

332 pages, Hardcover

First published June 9, 2011

About the author

Philip Marsden is the author of a number of works of travel writing, fiction and non-fiction, including The Bronski House, The Spirit Wrestlers and The Levelling Sea. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and his work has been translated into fifteen languages. He lives in Cornwall.

Reviews

[razzmataz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read through this whole thing for the Killigrew Monument information. I ended up learning more than I will ever need to know about Falmouth and the surrounding area, but I’m glad I can appreciate historical details now when I walk around town! I’m not usually a frequenter of non fiction as it takes me ages to read and it’s hard to retain patience and attention with it, but I liked the informal yet chronologically arranged history presented here. Learnt a lot about sailing. Also I <3 my monument.

[Tomas Chaigneau · Rating 2 out of 5]

Having just moved to Falmouth I was really keen to learn about its history... I however found this book very easy to put down, hard to pick up again, and it left me unsatisfied after completion! It seems that by trying to be too clever or poetic, it detracts from the substance of the book. .. Not impressed

[Debby Binns · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating read. Admittidly I have an interest in Falmouth, and so to finally learn its history was wonderful. I loved reading about the golden age of Falmouth and its history with the sea. For anyone interested in the town and its origins I highly recommend it.

[Nick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was incredibly frustrated that this book actually ended such was my enjoyment reading it. I've always loved Falmouth and spent many summers in the town as my family is originally from the area. Perhaps this means my views on the book are slightly bias. Regardless, I thoroughly enjoyed learning more about the growth of the town, it's history and geography as well as its wonderful (if somewhat flawed) people. I haven't been back for many years but I am yearning for a return. It was an effortless read and at no point did I feel any element dragged on for longer than it needed to. I liked the juxtaposition between the past and how it fits (either physically or philosophically) into the fabric of Falmouth now. If I could choose six stars I would.

[Mr Michael R Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

A hugely interesting historical book about an area of Cornwall in which I live and love.
Having lived in Falmouth for thirty-five years + I thought I knew a fair bit about Falmouth and Penryn's past but this book has opened my eyes to the characters and families who lived and worked and built fortunes and Falmouth over several centuries whilst contributing to the development of British naval power and trade.
Now on my daily walks through the town and surrounding area with my dog, Paddy, I see the buildings, streets, places and areas through different eyes, the information that this book has given me allows me to understand better the development of what I now consider to be my ‘home’ town.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is very beautifully written, with small touches of Philip's own time of living in Falmouth and finally moving, but never quite leaving. It is a history of English sea faring, from pirates to packets to the arrival of the railway, the steam ship and eventually decline giving way to other areas as far as the sea goes. I think there is good research in it and fascinating accounts of some of its sea families like the Killigrews. I would think modern inhabitants must be pretty pleased that they haven't been swallowed up by a container port.

[K Curry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up this book as I greatly enjoyed his’Summer Isles’ book. However they’re both very different although his great writing is a constant.
Whereas the Summer Isles is a book about a journey up the coast to Scotland, this book is a journey through time, focusing on Falmouth and its role at the centre of maritime Britain; its importance ebbing and flooding as the times change.
To my mind, Marsden is at his best when he’s writing about his own reaction to people and places, whereas the historical bits were a little dry to my taste.

[Morag · Rating 4 out of 5]

The writing is great and I loved being guided to what lies beneath the surface, both literally and chronologically, of the area. It was perhaps a little drier in places and I would only recommend unreservedly to readers with an interest in the Falmouth area - but surely that would be most of us?!

[Douglas Bridger · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting read. A nice format following the history of the town through its main characters.

[Kitty Russell · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting read infused with Cornish history.

[Leon Hermanson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great book with some great details about life in Falmouth in Cornwall in the past, but I would have liked more of a continuing narrative, not just random facts.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating read. I've spent many, many holidays down around Falmouth, visiting often a few times a year, and so to finally learn its history from a well written and thoroughly interesting book was wonderful. From it's small but important beginnings to it's bustling golden age Falmouth has had a rich history entwined with the sea. For anyone interested in the towns origins and/or the sea and Englands relationship with it, this is a highly recommended read.

[Camilla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really enjoyed reading about Penryn and Falmouth (have adopted the 'Ryn as my home) but wish there were more illustrations that matched up with the text- I realise that copyright might have made this hard but there were tantalising glimpses of documents and mentions of maps that would have been great to see more of. I also found the occasional insertions of the authors own experiences of sailing in the Carrick Roads to be distracting. Have passed book on to my Dad and then on to Grandad.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting history of Falmouth

[Kaharrall · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author, in telling his history of Falmouth, also imparts his own great love of sailing and manages to relay some of sailing's aesthetic.