Published in 1813, this groundbreaking work by Thomas Hodgskin is a scathing critique of the British Navy and its system of press gangs. Drawing on his own experiences as a sailor, Hodgskin exposes the brutality and injustice of the press gang system, arguing that it not only harms the sailors who are forced into service, but also undermines the moral and political fabric of the nation. With a compelling mix of personal testimony, political analysis and economic theory, this is a book that played a key role in shaping the debate on naval discipline, and continues to be of relevance to historians and political theorists today.
