What do you think?
Lifeboat at the End of the World: A Volunteer’s Story, from an RNLI crewman in Dungeness
Do you really think all lives are worth saving?
On the empty shingle beach of Dungeness, the volunteer crew of the lifeboat await her next launch. It might come in another week. Or it might even happen in the next few seconds…
For two hundred years, the Dungeness lifeboat has launched in storms and heavy seas to frigates and barques, trawlers and dinghies. Like all lifeboat stations in the British Isles, it is led by a coxswain and staffed entirely by volunteers. Dominic Gregory volunteers as part of her crew. Dungeness is itself a place apart. An ever-shifting expanse of shingle jutting into the English Channel, it is overshadowed by its nuclear power station and made famous by Derek Jarman’s flotsam garden. Dungeness is also where millions of migrating birds and insects first make landfall in the British Isles. A small place perhaps, but one that finds itself now at the centre of one of the biggest political stories of modern times.
At the heart of this wonderful book is the lifeboat crew with whom Dominic Gregory serves, many of them from families who have crewed the lifeboat for generations. These are remarkable yet ordinary men and women – who serve as shore crew, or boat crew, or who keep the records and brew the tea. All, in their different ways, give up their time, livelihoods and safety to brave wind, tide and storms, not to mention the peril of navigating between the vast floating skyscrapers that make up so much of modern shipping. Then there is coxswain Stuart Adams whose quiet, competent leadership ensures he acts as the still point in a spinning world.
Lifeboat at the End of the World is the first book to depict the experience of what it is like to volunteer on a lifeboat; the smells of the station, the emotions when the call to ‘a shout’ comes, how the crew is trained, the teamwork and trust, the ethos of the service. And incident aplenty – terrifying rescues both past and present, often to overladen inflatable small craft and their desperate passengers. Gregory’s book is non-fiction writing of extraordinary power and immediacy. While most of us will never serve in a lifeboat, we might well find ourselves thankful for their unquestioning and dauntless assistance at sea.
On the empty shingle beach of Dungeness, the volunteer crew of the lifeboat await her next launch. It might come in another week. Or it might even happen in the next few seconds…
For two hundred years, the Dungeness lifeboat has launched in storms and heavy seas to frigates and barques, trawlers and dinghies. Like all lifeboat stations in the British Isles, it is led by a coxswain and staffed entirely by volunteers. Dominic Gregory volunteers as part of her crew. Dungeness is itself a place apart. An ever-shifting expanse of shingle jutting into the English Channel, it is overshadowed by its nuclear power station and made famous by Derek Jarman’s flotsam garden. Dungeness is also where millions of migrating birds and insects first make landfall in the British Isles. A small place perhaps, but one that finds itself now at the centre of one of the biggest political stories of modern times.
At the heart of this wonderful book is the lifeboat crew with whom Dominic Gregory serves, many of them from families who have crewed the lifeboat for generations. These are remarkable yet ordinary men and women – who serve as shore crew, or boat crew, or who keep the records and brew the tea. All, in their different ways, give up their time, livelihoods and safety to brave wind, tide and storms, not to mention the peril of navigating between the vast floating skyscrapers that make up so much of modern shipping. Then there is coxswain Stuart Adams whose quiet, competent leadership ensures he acts as the still point in a spinning world.
Lifeboat at the End of the World is the first book to depict the experience of what it is like to volunteer on a lifeboat; the smells of the station, the emotions when the call to ‘a shout’ comes, how the crew is trained, the teamwork and trust, the ethos of the service. And incident aplenty – terrifying rescues both past and present, often to overladen inflatable small craft and their desperate passengers. Gregory’s book is non-fiction writing of extraordinary power and immediacy. While most of us will never serve in a lifeboat, we might well find ourselves thankful for their unquestioning and dauntless assistance at sea.
- GenresNonfiction
310 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 26, 2026
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November 21, 2025I've been visiting Dungeness for thirty years and finally moved to the area this year. Reading this seemed almost necessary under the circumstances. This is a brilliant reminder of the hard, vital work that the RNLI do, the pressures it is under and the voluntary nature of the work which is gruelling and dangerous. Gregory writes with love and affection for the area and with no punches pulled about the risks of the work he does. I found it a thrilling, absorbing read and applaud Gregory for writing something so difficult in the current political climate with care and humanity.
April 12, 2026
personal and powerful radio 4 book of the week abridgement. i hope the full book is as good
April 19, 2026
Listened to this on BBC Radio 4 as the abridged version. I know what a fantastic job the crew of the UK lifeboats do - but this book was reinforcement of their commitment and hard work in often terrifying and heart-breaking situations. The narrator suffers from PTSD after a particularly difficult rescue. This was a very powerful book.
June 27, 2026
"The most amazing wonder of the deep is its unfathomable cruelty." — Joseph Conrad
At the end of the world—or at least the English south coast—is a spit of shingle that is constantly reshaped by the competing forces of the North Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. There has been an operational lifeboat at Dungeness since 1826, and Dominic Gregory is now one of its seagoing crew members.
I had the privilege of meeting Gregory at an author event to launch (no pun intended) his book. He is a quiet and humble man who completely downplayed the bravery I was about to read about, but the thing that stayed with me from that evening was a question put to him by a journalist on the beach: "Do you REALLY think all lives are worth saving?"
Gregory explained that he had perhaps naïvely never really considered that question before. Geographically located within almost touching distance of France across the English Channel, Dungeness and other south coast lifeboat stations have, in recent years, increasingly been called upon to rescue the victims of people traffickers attempting the crossing in unsafe inflatable boats. While Gregory did not answer the journalist directly that day, I came away feeling that, without that question, this book might never have been written. By the time I reached the final page, I also felt I had been given the most comprehensive answer possible.
Written in eight beautifully subtle sections, The Lifeboat at the End of the World is a lyrical and deeply evocative read. It flows effortlessly through the history and natural history of Dungeness, exploring the people—past and present—who have shaped this extraordinary landscape and made it a place of inspiration for artists and lovers of art alike. Gregory also highlights Prospect Cottage, the former home of Derek Jarman, now preserved as a place celebrating his life and work. Along the way, he captures the ever-changing character of the shingle, sea, and sky, celebrates the remarkable volunteers who crew the lifeboat, and reflects on the history, inspiration, and enduring principles of the RNLI.
At its heart lies the organisation's unwavering commitment to saving lives at sea, irrespective of colour, ethnicity, nationality, or the circumstances that have placed someone in danger.
Gregory captures perfectly the remote, haunting beauty of Dungeness, while never shying away from the emotional and physical toll of responding to desperate cries for help. His writing moves with the rhythm of the tide itself, ebbing and flowing naturally from one subject to another, never lingering too long in one place, yet always returning to form a coherent and deeply satisfying whole.
Although Gregory never explicitly answers the journalist's question with a simple yes or no, by the end of the book the reader is more than equipped to reach their own conclusion. Whatever the politics surrounding those who are rescued, the principle itself is remarkably simple. Under the SOLAS Convention (Chapter V, Safety of Navigation), any ship's master who is in a position to assist a person in distress at sea is legally obliged to do so:
"Simply put, to ignore a cry for help at sea would be to break the law, no matter whether on one side of a border or the other. The law considers it irrelevant if the vessel in distress is captained by an experienced mariner or someone with no experience whatsoever; the law is blind to wealth or poverty, ethnicity or religion, sexuality or gender. Rather, this law is as good as universal. It is a human right."
In the end, Gregory's answer is not delivered through argument but through example. Every page reinforces the same quiet conviction: that when someone is in peril at sea, the only question that matters is not who they are or how they came to be there, but whether there is still time to save them.
At the end of the world—or at least the English south coast—is a spit of shingle that is constantly reshaped by the competing forces of the North Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. There has been an operational lifeboat at Dungeness since 1826, and Dominic Gregory is now one of its seagoing crew members.
I had the privilege of meeting Gregory at an author event to launch (no pun intended) his book. He is a quiet and humble man who completely downplayed the bravery I was about to read about, but the thing that stayed with me from that evening was a question put to him by a journalist on the beach: "Do you REALLY think all lives are worth saving?"
Gregory explained that he had perhaps naïvely never really considered that question before. Geographically located within almost touching distance of France across the English Channel, Dungeness and other south coast lifeboat stations have, in recent years, increasingly been called upon to rescue the victims of people traffickers attempting the crossing in unsafe inflatable boats. While Gregory did not answer the journalist directly that day, I came away feeling that, without that question, this book might never have been written. By the time I reached the final page, I also felt I had been given the most comprehensive answer possible.
Written in eight beautifully subtle sections, The Lifeboat at the End of the World is a lyrical and deeply evocative read. It flows effortlessly through the history and natural history of Dungeness, exploring the people—past and present—who have shaped this extraordinary landscape and made it a place of inspiration for artists and lovers of art alike. Gregory also highlights Prospect Cottage, the former home of Derek Jarman, now preserved as a place celebrating his life and work. Along the way, he captures the ever-changing character of the shingle, sea, and sky, celebrates the remarkable volunteers who crew the lifeboat, and reflects on the history, inspiration, and enduring principles of the RNLI.
At its heart lies the organisation's unwavering commitment to saving lives at sea, irrespective of colour, ethnicity, nationality, or the circumstances that have placed someone in danger.
Gregory captures perfectly the remote, haunting beauty of Dungeness, while never shying away from the emotional and physical toll of responding to desperate cries for help. His writing moves with the rhythm of the tide itself, ebbing and flowing naturally from one subject to another, never lingering too long in one place, yet always returning to form a coherent and deeply satisfying whole.
Although Gregory never explicitly answers the journalist's question with a simple yes or no, by the end of the book the reader is more than equipped to reach their own conclusion. Whatever the politics surrounding those who are rescued, the principle itself is remarkably simple. Under the SOLAS Convention (Chapter V, Safety of Navigation), any ship's master who is in a position to assist a person in distress at sea is legally obliged to do so:
"Simply put, to ignore a cry for help at sea would be to break the law, no matter whether on one side of a border or the other. The law considers it irrelevant if the vessel in distress is captained by an experienced mariner or someone with no experience whatsoever; the law is blind to wealth or poverty, ethnicity or religion, sexuality or gender. Rather, this law is as good as universal. It is a human right."
In the end, Gregory's answer is not delivered through argument but through example. Every page reinforces the same quiet conviction: that when someone is in peril at sea, the only question that matters is not who they are or how they came to be there, but whether there is still time to save them.
August 12, 2026
Easy 5 stars, well written, compelling, tender without being mawkish. Loved it.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I received a free advance review copy of The Lifeboat at the End of the World from NetGalley, and this is my honest review.
This book has a striking cover, and it’s clear from the outset that Dominic Gregory writes from lived experience, having joined the RNLI himself.
His respect for the institution and its history runs throughout the book, alongside detailed descriptions of Dungeness and the surrounding coastline. For me personally, though, I struggled with the heavy focus on history and extended descriptions of the landscape and sea. I found these sections hard work at times and kept craving more of the present-day experience: the rescues, the immediacy of life on the lifeboat, and the camaraderie of the crew.
In the final third of the book, that shift came, and I was completely drawn in. Gregory’s accounts of migrant rescues in the English Channel are harrowing and heartbreaking. He writes with clarity and compassion about the realities of responding to distress calls at sea, and powerfully reminds the reader that helping people in danger is not a choice but a legal obligation under international law, and indeed a human one.
The book is at its strongest when it focuses on the volunteers themselves: ordinary people undertaking extraordinarily dangerous rescues, regardless of weather, time of day, or who needs help. The emphasis is always on saving life, not judgement. These sections are emotionally draining to read, and Gregory does not shy away from how devastating this role can be, nor from the deep bond formed between crew members.
Ultimately, the book succeeds in conveying the dedication and selflessness of RNLI volunteers and the vital need for ongoing donations and funding.
This book has a striking cover, and it’s clear from the outset that Dominic Gregory writes from lived experience, having joined the RNLI himself.
His respect for the institution and its history runs throughout the book, alongside detailed descriptions of Dungeness and the surrounding coastline. For me personally, though, I struggled with the heavy focus on history and extended descriptions of the landscape and sea. I found these sections hard work at times and kept craving more of the present-day experience: the rescues, the immediacy of life on the lifeboat, and the camaraderie of the crew.
In the final third of the book, that shift came, and I was completely drawn in. Gregory’s accounts of migrant rescues in the English Channel are harrowing and heartbreaking. He writes with clarity and compassion about the realities of responding to distress calls at sea, and powerfully reminds the reader that helping people in danger is not a choice but a legal obligation under international law, and indeed a human one.
The book is at its strongest when it focuses on the volunteers themselves: ordinary people undertaking extraordinarily dangerous rescues, regardless of weather, time of day, or who needs help. The emphasis is always on saving life, not judgement. These sections are emotionally draining to read, and Gregory does not shy away from how devastating this role can be, nor from the deep bond formed between crew members.
Ultimately, the book succeeds in conveying the dedication and selflessness of RNLI volunteers and the vital need for ongoing donations and funding.
April 20, 2026
Brilliant! Wonderful recollection of a great Lifeboat station and of the men who save lives..recalling history to the current day migrants. Great respect for the volunteers who work for an institution totally funded by public donation!👏👏
August 7, 2026
I’d say half of this book focuses on the author’s journey to volunteering and his training- first in the ground crew, and then aboard the lifeboat.
There are 2-3 of short stories about the lifeboat being called out to emergencies at sea, the kinds you imaging the lifeboat responding to. Those were my favourite part of the book but they were really quite brief, maybe a page or 2 per story.
The second half of the book focused on the issue of asylum seekers travelling by dinghy to the Dungeness area. Absolutely harrowing, particularly one very vivid chapter about an event where a boat collapsed and many people were killed.
It was well written and structured, although the chronological story was interspersed with random thoughts and memories, descriptions of landscape and plant life, and recollections about local celebrities which I did find a bit distracting.
I think that I expected an anthology of adventurous rescues which largely end happily- kids atop lilos, dolphin pods saving humans, that sort of thing. It isn’t that, and I think I’d have approached it with a different mindset if I’d known. It was an interesting book and gave great insight into the lives and demands of the brave RNLI volunteers- I have more respect for them than ever, particularly as they navigate the pressure of rescuing large groups whilst facing backlash from the community and the press.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to NetGalley and William Collins for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.
I am in awe of the RNLI and I love watching their TV programmes. I actually had this on pre-order but sadly it was a victim of my lack of money and so I was thrilled when they sent me an early digital copy.
This is a history lesson; Dominic has not only given us his own experiences, he has given us the experiences of the entire RNLI from conception to present day, which I found fascinating.
It is a bit haphazard. I'd have liked it to have been more chronological, have all the historical elements first and then have him join and then show his experiences. Whereas at the moment it's a bit...a paragraph about now followed by a page about then, followed by the history then followed by now and then his training and then the history...and it got a bit confusing. So I would have liked it if there had bene more structure to the story.
Whether it was because it was a digital ARC or not, it didn't have chapters, and for someone who loves a short chapter, this wasn't ideal. I think it would have been structured better if it had chapters, it would feel more seamless. But like I say, it might differ in the finished copy.
You can feel Dominic's love and passion for the job. He clearly loves where he live and what he does, his admiration for the area and it's history. But he doesn't sugar coat things. He is honest and raw and it is sometimes frightening and upsetting, but that's the truth of it.
I admire his honesty in relation to the RNLI and migrants. It's a difficult subject matter at the moment and there are people who wonder whether the RNLI should be saving migrants who illegally cross the Channel, but for them, they're all lives, and they try to save all lives. It's about humanity and compassion. And as the book goes on this is highlighted more and more, and at about 80% through there is the most moving passage of the book. He describes a scene exactly like one I saw on an episode of Saving Lives at Sea and I wonder if it's the same one.
I think this is an important book for everyone to read, particularly those who live near the coast or enjoy water sports or wild swimming. We all think "it won't happen to me" but it can and it might, and it's vital we see just what these brave volunteers will do to save your life.
I enjoyed it, I really did, don't get me wrong, there's a lot to love about it, it's interesting and moving. But it was missing something. I'm not sure what but it was missing that spark, that edge. But I still highly recommend it. It's a very engaging and important books.
I am in awe of the RNLI and I love watching their TV programmes. I actually had this on pre-order but sadly it was a victim of my lack of money and so I was thrilled when they sent me an early digital copy.
This is a history lesson; Dominic has not only given us his own experiences, he has given us the experiences of the entire RNLI from conception to present day, which I found fascinating.
It is a bit haphazard. I'd have liked it to have been more chronological, have all the historical elements first and then have him join and then show his experiences. Whereas at the moment it's a bit...a paragraph about now followed by a page about then, followed by the history then followed by now and then his training and then the history...and it got a bit confusing. So I would have liked it if there had bene more structure to the story.
Whether it was because it was a digital ARC or not, it didn't have chapters, and for someone who loves a short chapter, this wasn't ideal. I think it would have been structured better if it had chapters, it would feel more seamless. But like I say, it might differ in the finished copy.
You can feel Dominic's love and passion for the job. He clearly loves where he live and what he does, his admiration for the area and it's history. But he doesn't sugar coat things. He is honest and raw and it is sometimes frightening and upsetting, but that's the truth of it.
I admire his honesty in relation to the RNLI and migrants. It's a difficult subject matter at the moment and there are people who wonder whether the RNLI should be saving migrants who illegally cross the Channel, but for them, they're all lives, and they try to save all lives. It's about humanity and compassion. And as the book goes on this is highlighted more and more, and at about 80% through there is the most moving passage of the book. He describes a scene exactly like one I saw on an episode of Saving Lives at Sea and I wonder if it's the same one.
I think this is an important book for everyone to read, particularly those who live near the coast or enjoy water sports or wild swimming. We all think "it won't happen to me" but it can and it might, and it's vital we see just what these brave volunteers will do to save your life.
I enjoyed it, I really did, don't get me wrong, there's a lot to love about it, it's interesting and moving. But it was missing something. I'm not sure what but it was missing that spark, that edge. But I still highly recommend it. It's a very engaging and important books.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Dominic Gregory is a volunteer crew member at RNLI Dungeness. Lifeboat at the End of the World is the story of how he develops as a crew member: from shore crew, helping to launch and rehouse the boat, to helm, responsible for steering the boat to the casualty. It is also the story of what it’s like to live at Dungeness, a windswept flat expanse of shingle on Kent’s Channel coast.
Gregory’s prose reminded me of Hemingway’s Old Man and the Sea: simple, but thoughtfully written. Initially, I scribbled a note, “Over-written?” after reading “Here is a place where minutes pass in years.” However, having now read the whole book, I realise I was wrong. It isn’t over-written, but the reader needs to slow down and adjust to the book’s tempo. The descriptions of what it’s like to be a volunteer lifeboatman are interspersed with observations about Nature: the way the shingle constantly moves, gently changing the shape of the promontory a tiny amount every day; hummingbird moths sipping from valerian flowers. The book is calm, just like the lifeboat’s coxswain, Stuart Adams, when giving orders to the crew. Some reviewers have disliked the way the book alternates the descriptions of being on service with reflections upon Nature, history and artists, but I liked that contrast.
Since Dungeness is one of the points where the Channel is narrowest, it is inevitable that part of the book describes the lifeboat being launched to look for dinghies overloaded with immigrants. I wonder: we can criticise successive Government policies that have made Britain such an attractive place for migrants, but we cannot fault the migrants’ logic for wanting to come here. They are at least trying to make a better life for their families. The lifeboat crew are abused by angry Britons because they try to save the lives of migrants who are behaving logically. Yet, when lifeboat crews launch to rescue swimmers, surfboarders and kayakers who deliberately go out into obviously dangerous seas all around the British Isles, the crew are praised for risking their lives to save people who could be charitably described as illogical or, less charitably, self-centred and stupid. Nobody in the RNLI ever passes judgement upon those they rescue – they’re there for everyone. Gregory quotes a spokesman as saying, simply, “People rescue people.”
This is a good book. Although the prose is calm, there are descriptions of wild situations where the lifeboat goes out to a trawler in a Force 10 with waves several metres high. Remember, these are volunteers who simply get a few quid petrol money when called out on a shout and nothing at all for volunteering several hours of their time every week for training. I couldn’t do it – but I’m glad Dominic Gregory has; and told us what it’s like.
#LifeboatattheEndoftheWorld #NetGalley
Gregory’s prose reminded me of Hemingway’s Old Man and the Sea: simple, but thoughtfully written. Initially, I scribbled a note, “Over-written?” after reading “Here is a place where minutes pass in years.” However, having now read the whole book, I realise I was wrong. It isn’t over-written, but the reader needs to slow down and adjust to the book’s tempo. The descriptions of what it’s like to be a volunteer lifeboatman are interspersed with observations about Nature: the way the shingle constantly moves, gently changing the shape of the promontory a tiny amount every day; hummingbird moths sipping from valerian flowers. The book is calm, just like the lifeboat’s coxswain, Stuart Adams, when giving orders to the crew. Some reviewers have disliked the way the book alternates the descriptions of being on service with reflections upon Nature, history and artists, but I liked that contrast.
Since Dungeness is one of the points where the Channel is narrowest, it is inevitable that part of the book describes the lifeboat being launched to look for dinghies overloaded with immigrants. I wonder: we can criticise successive Government policies that have made Britain such an attractive place for migrants, but we cannot fault the migrants’ logic for wanting to come here. They are at least trying to make a better life for their families. The lifeboat crew are abused by angry Britons because they try to save the lives of migrants who are behaving logically. Yet, when lifeboat crews launch to rescue swimmers, surfboarders and kayakers who deliberately go out into obviously dangerous seas all around the British Isles, the crew are praised for risking their lives to save people who could be charitably described as illogical or, less charitably, self-centred and stupid. Nobody in the RNLI ever passes judgement upon those they rescue – they’re there for everyone. Gregory quotes a spokesman as saying, simply, “People rescue people.”
This is a good book. Although the prose is calm, there are descriptions of wild situations where the lifeboat goes out to a trawler in a Force 10 with waves several metres high. Remember, these are volunteers who simply get a few quid petrol money when called out on a shout and nothing at all for volunteering several hours of their time every week for training. I couldn’t do it – but I’m glad Dominic Gregory has; and told us what it’s like.
#LifeboatattheEndoftheWorld #NetGalley
September 4, 2026
Found this a good read. It’s an account of the author’s voluntary service at RNLI, told through various rescues and set against the backdrop of the current “Stop the Boats” migrant crisis. The crew save all sorts - children, rich yacht owners, trawler men - some of the situations so baffling that I longed for the background as to how some of these people got so stuck out at sea. But the author gives no explanation nor judgment, which is the whole point of the RNLI - they don’t ask why, they just save you.
The rescues are cinematic, real page-turning stuff. Throughout the book there’s a concern that the RNLI has relied on communities which no longer exist in the 21st century. Historically the local fishermen were in the RNLI, each passing the baton through the generations, with the women responsible for launching the boats (this bit was great). But the fishing industry is dead, and there are far fewer professional able seamen living in these coastal areas. The RNLI thus had to rely on volunteers with limited seafaring experience. Training takes years. But coastal jobs are unstable and low paid, house prices are in second home territory, so it’s rare to find a 6 crew with the time and skills living locally who can join.
These sort of books written by Boomers tend to be slightly condescending towards those who aren’t as knowledgable in the slightly niche thing they’re into. This one veers close to the mark but just stays on the right side, probably because we should all know more about the RNLI and thr work it does. Just like any emergency service.
In parts it’s a little too ambitious in trying to weave in accounts of Dungeness through obscure histories, vignettes involving the likes of Joseph Conrad and Ford Maddox Ford (whom he calls Fordy - cringe) which doesn’t add much.
The main takeaway is that it’s a national scandal that as an island nation we rely on volunteers in a charity organisation to lifeguard our waters, reimbursing the brave men and women or risk their lives each call out with barely enough for a pint. All the while expecting them to function as an extension of the coastguard. A disgrace.
Worth reading.
The rescues are cinematic, real page-turning stuff. Throughout the book there’s a concern that the RNLI has relied on communities which no longer exist in the 21st century. Historically the local fishermen were in the RNLI, each passing the baton through the generations, with the women responsible for launching the boats (this bit was great). But the fishing industry is dead, and there are far fewer professional able seamen living in these coastal areas. The RNLI thus had to rely on volunteers with limited seafaring experience. Training takes years. But coastal jobs are unstable and low paid, house prices are in second home territory, so it’s rare to find a 6 crew with the time and skills living locally who can join.
These sort of books written by Boomers tend to be slightly condescending towards those who aren’t as knowledgable in the slightly niche thing they’re into. This one veers close to the mark but just stays on the right side, probably because we should all know more about the RNLI and thr work it does. Just like any emergency service.
In parts it’s a little too ambitious in trying to weave in accounts of Dungeness through obscure histories, vignettes involving the likes of Joseph Conrad and Ford Maddox Ford (whom he calls Fordy - cringe) which doesn’t add much.
The main takeaway is that it’s a national scandal that as an island nation we rely on volunteers in a charity organisation to lifeguard our waters, reimbursing the brave men and women or risk their lives each call out with barely enough for a pint. All the while expecting them to function as an extension of the coastguard. A disgrace.
Worth reading.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
If ever a reminder was needed of how vital the RNLI is, then here it is in “Lifeboat at the End of the World : A Volunteer’s Story“
Members of the RNLI provide a selfless and vital, round the clock emergency response for people in distress at sea, and this is volunteer Dominic Gregory’s own experiences with the Dungeness lifeboat.
Gregory’s love, passion and devotion shines through on every page. He not only relates some of the many call outs that he has attended, some of which are inevitably very distressing, but he informs us about the history of this institution from its conception to the present day, and he also details the flora and fauna of this strange otherworldly place that is Dungeness.
This is an absorbing and important read, whether you live by the coast or indeed just visit, because it highlights just how vitally important this institution is. I love to watch the BBC series Saving Lives at Sea, and this memoir lets us take a further look behind the scenes, to enjoy the camaraderie that these volunteers share, and to go right into the homes and the local pub of those dedicated lifeboat men and women, who launch into unforgiving seas to save those in peril. Discover exactly what it takes to become a volunteer for the RNLI, it’s much harder than you think. Recommended!
*Thank you to Netgalley and 4th Estate and William Collins for my ARC in exchange for an honest unbiased review *
Members of the RNLI provide a selfless and vital, round the clock emergency response for people in distress at sea, and this is volunteer Dominic Gregory’s own experiences with the Dungeness lifeboat.
Gregory’s love, passion and devotion shines through on every page. He not only relates some of the many call outs that he has attended, some of which are inevitably very distressing, but he informs us about the history of this institution from its conception to the present day, and he also details the flora and fauna of this strange otherworldly place that is Dungeness.
This is an absorbing and important read, whether you live by the coast or indeed just visit, because it highlights just how vitally important this institution is. I love to watch the BBC series Saving Lives at Sea, and this memoir lets us take a further look behind the scenes, to enjoy the camaraderie that these volunteers share, and to go right into the homes and the local pub of those dedicated lifeboat men and women, who launch into unforgiving seas to save those in peril. Discover exactly what it takes to become a volunteer for the RNLI, it’s much harder than you think. Recommended!
*Thank you to Netgalley and 4th Estate and William Collins for my ARC in exchange for an honest unbiased review *
August 19, 2026
This is a compelling read. To begin with I found the way it dipped in and out of historic stories irritating. But I soon started to see how they connected to the main narrative. It also felt more true to life...like Dominic was telling his stories over a pint in the pub for people rarely talk in definitive chapters.
Dominic gives an honest account of his experiences and the reader can appreciate his delight at saving lives and his raw despair when they are lost.
Dispute Dominic's skillful ability to describe settings using colourful metaphors I am sure the truth of the nightmare situations he has been in are beyond words.
Thankfully, people like Dominic are prepared to take themselves into such nightmares in order to save the lives of othrts and don't weigh up their 'value' before they do so.
Dominic gives an honest account of his experiences and the reader can appreciate his delight at saving lives and his raw despair when they are lost.
Dispute Dominic's skillful ability to describe settings using colourful metaphors I am sure the truth of the nightmare situations he has been in are beyond words.
Thankfully, people like Dominic are prepared to take themselves into such nightmares in order to save the lives of othrts and don't weigh up their 'value' before they do so.
August 28, 2026
A poetic narrative of the poignant work of the RNLI, from the author's first joining as a new volunteer to becoming a long-standing crew member.
It covers how the lifeboat runs and just some of the many challenges they face, both at sea and on land. Particularly heart-rending are the descriptions of saving refugees at sea including the awful incident of 14 December 2022 which clearly affected the rescue team deeply.
The book also covers the history of Dungeness, the English channel, lifeboats and the RNLI.
Lastly it is a commemoration of Stuart Adams, a dedicated volunteer and coxswain of the Dungeness lifeboat for 45 years.
It is well paced, emotive, and interesting throughout. Highly recommend.
It covers how the lifeboat runs and just some of the many challenges they face, both at sea and on land. Particularly heart-rending are the descriptions of saving refugees at sea including the awful incident of 14 December 2022 which clearly affected the rescue team deeply.
The book also covers the history of Dungeness, the English channel, lifeboats and the RNLI.
Lastly it is a commemoration of Stuart Adams, a dedicated volunteer and coxswain of the Dungeness lifeboat for 45 years.
It is well paced, emotive, and interesting throughout. Highly recommend.
July 16, 2026
The most valuable volunteers.
An extraordinary narrative arising from a lot of observation and real experiences, interwoven with poetic descriptions of an unusual landscape.
Mr Gregory gives us insights, often in brief paragraphs of the work of one RNLI station, the landscape, the seascape and the community in which it operates and the way in which different women and men are drawn into the service of the RNLI.
This book is not a continuous narrative. That is its attraction, given the many and varied aspects of lives it covers. And it answers the question; who do we save?
An extraordinary narrative arising from a lot of observation and real experiences, interwoven with poetic descriptions of an unusual landscape.
Mr Gregory gives us insights, often in brief paragraphs of the work of one RNLI station, the landscape, the seascape and the community in which it operates and the way in which different women and men are drawn into the service of the RNLI.
This book is not a continuous narrative. That is its attraction, given the many and varied aspects of lives it covers. And it answers the question; who do we save?
June 11, 2026
This is a beautifully written book, full of interesting snippets about Dungeness and the history and working life of the lifeboat. I grew up on Romney Marsh and have a very warm appreciation of that unique coast - even its cold wind! The structure of this book means it is easy to dip into and enjoy the details about artists and writers, local characters and landmarks. It is a harrowing and heartbreaking read in the latter part and really makes you stop and think about recent news stories. I hope it has the power to change some people's minds.
April 3, 2026
Beautifully Written
An incredible account from a personal perspective, fair and compassionate truth.
It feels both brave and modest from the author. Telling the history of the RNLI and the courage of the volunteers. Dungeness is a land like no other and its comes alive for those that have never visited, as do the real life charaters depicted in this book. An emotional read that I would highly recommend.
An incredible account from a personal perspective, fair and compassionate truth.
It feels both brave and modest from the author. Telling the history of the RNLI and the courage of the volunteers. Dungeness is a land like no other and its comes alive for those that have never visited, as do the real life charaters depicted in this book. An emotional read that I would highly recommend.
July 30, 2026
As far as debuts go, this is glorious. I really feel like I got a sense of the author. All through their relating to/with others. No one exists in a vacuum. Life doesn't exist a vacuum. So why should a memoir be fit into the life of the author alone? I cried when I thought little Stu was gone, and I welled up some more when Stuart himself was gone. But, not gone. Remembered. Thanks to this text, Stuart will live on in others.
July 4, 2026
Loved this. I've always had an odd fascination with things like lighthouses, the sea, and the people who work on it. Wrecks, saving lives, and the awesome power of nature.
An interesting history of the Dungeness lifeboat station, that also dives into the wider history of the RNLI as well as its future and the pressures that arise from human trafficking.
An interesting history of the Dungeness lifeboat station, that also dives into the wider history of the RNLI as well as its future and the pressures that arise from human trafficking.
July 21, 2026
The crew of Dungeness lifeboat wait quietly for their next call, knowing it could be any moment.
This was a fascinating, interesting and at times heartbreaking read. It was open and raw, no glamour just honesty. I liked that we saw the past and the history as well as the present. Its a worthy read and highlights the dangers of such a valuable job.
This was a fascinating, interesting and at times heartbreaking read. It was open and raw, no glamour just honesty. I liked that we saw the past and the history as well as the present. Its a worthy read and highlights the dangers of such a valuable job.
June 5, 2026
a wonderful book
This is a book of tremendous happenings. It really brings home the sacrifice made by all lifeboat crews but especially the ones involved in rescuing the recent desperate folk in the fragile dinghies.
You are all heroes.
This is a book of tremendous happenings. It really brings home the sacrifice made by all lifeboat crews but especially the ones involved in rescuing the recent desperate folk in the fragile dinghies.
You are all heroes.
April 8, 2026
Listened to this as an audiobook - chosen at random. An excellent powerful listen.
April 14, 2026
I listened to the abridged version on BBC Sounds Radio 4. It was captivating and moving. I loved it.
May 19, 2026
Very affecting in a quiet, non assuming way.
May 24, 2026
What a fabulous book. I loved the mix of history of the RNLI and Dungeness along with the action packed gut wrenching rescue experiences that Dominic and the rest of the crew faced.
August 13, 2026
Everyone should read this book and Delacroix’s awesome Small Boat together.
August 9, 2026
If you know Dungeness you'll know this is perfect
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A Top read for 2026- hugely important and fascinating!!
"An eyelid had flickered. An eye opened, followed by the other. To everyone's relief the child was not dead after all"
"Just another one of those moments on the lifeboat. 'But how can you explain it to someone who has never seen that kind of thing?'"
Dominic Gregory has written a superb book about the world of the lifeboats people of Dungeness in Kent. This is a book that needs to be read and appreciated by all; this is the story of men and women who voluntarily give up their lives to save others in peril at sea.
This the story of Dominic's initiation and training period in to becoming a member of the crew and then onwards to the world of saving lives at sea. This is a heartfelt and powerful read; it is impossible not to be moved by the hard work and passion of the team- the risks taken to protect all.
Dominic Gregory also explores the history of the RNLI and the development of the lifeboat crew in the Dungeness area over two centuries as well as the curious world of Dungeness and the Channel- a fascinating exploration of the residents and historical events .
Ultimately it is the camaraderie of the team, the selflessness and dedication of the crew that moved me as a reader- the inimitable coxswain Stuart Adams who trained and managed his team with the ultimate professionalism but also with a deep caring heart for everyone.
The final third of the book that reflects upon recent times in the English Channel is heart- wrenching - the tragedies, the 'successes', the impact on all individuals, the need to protect each other and stand firm as a crew devoted to seeing all human beings as equal. This is a team of people who deserve every plaudit possible for their bravery and compassion.
Without a doubt, Dominic Gregory has written one of 2026 top non-fiction /factual reads- I'd go so far to say as to this is one of the most moving books I've very read... by the end I'd made a donation to the RNLI
Thank you to William Collins and Netgalley for the advance copy
"An eyelid had flickered. An eye opened, followed by the other. To everyone's relief the child was not dead after all"
"Just another one of those moments on the lifeboat. 'But how can you explain it to someone who has never seen that kind of thing?'"
Dominic Gregory has written a superb book about the world of the lifeboats people of Dungeness in Kent. This is a book that needs to be read and appreciated by all; this is the story of men and women who voluntarily give up their lives to save others in peril at sea.
This the story of Dominic's initiation and training period in to becoming a member of the crew and then onwards to the world of saving lives at sea. This is a heartfelt and powerful read; it is impossible not to be moved by the hard work and passion of the team- the risks taken to protect all.
Dominic Gregory also explores the history of the RNLI and the development of the lifeboat crew in the Dungeness area over two centuries as well as the curious world of Dungeness and the Channel- a fascinating exploration of the residents and historical events .
Ultimately it is the camaraderie of the team, the selflessness and dedication of the crew that moved me as a reader- the inimitable coxswain Stuart Adams who trained and managed his team with the ultimate professionalism but also with a deep caring heart for everyone.
The final third of the book that reflects upon recent times in the English Channel is heart- wrenching - the tragedies, the 'successes', the impact on all individuals, the need to protect each other and stand firm as a crew devoted to seeing all human beings as equal. This is a team of people who deserve every plaudit possible for their bravery and compassion.
Without a doubt, Dominic Gregory has written one of 2026 top non-fiction /factual reads- I'd go so far to say as to this is one of the most moving books I've very read... by the end I'd made a donation to the RNLI
Thank you to William Collins and Netgalley for the advance copy
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