Female Tars: Suzzane J.Stark

 I was on the bus today reading Female Tars. I couldn't stand reading anything else about naval heroes and great men. I read about one women who had written to Lord Nelson for help after her husband died in the Battle of the Nile. She heard nothing back. I guess that was common but it does shed new light on great heroes. I wonder if that was common for admirals to ignore women and sailors in difficult situations? Life was so hard back then and human life had so little value if you were not rich or famous. 

I wonder if there are any naval fiction books with women at the centre. That would be an interesting addition to the genre. I can read another book about men in the genre and reading about Nelson burnt me out in terms of romance and bromance. I feel better when I read about the women- like I have come home. It reminds me that I have grown up so much for the young girl who admired Nelson without question. Of course later I was educated and we begin to question and it is normal and healthy. Our heroes become people and we realise there is more to life than greatness of any kind.

But it is a normal part of childhood development apparently. My parents thought it was cute I was into boats. I think it is so wild and crazy now. Perhaps I would worry my child was into something inappropriate. 

But then...I was a child then. I didn't understand the consequences of war. I did have a lot of compassion and empathy for the historical characters I read about. I was even fascinated enough by Hardy to read this dusty book written in 1906.