This solemn, rhythmic intonation of the shipping forecast on BBC radio is as familiar as the sound of Big Ben chiming the hour. Since its first broadcast in the 1920s it has inspired poems, songs and novels in addition to its intended objective of warning generations of seafarers of impending storms and gales.
Sitting at home listening to the shipping forecast can be a cosily reassuring experience. There's no danger of a westerly gale eight, veering southwesterly increasing nine later (visibility poor) gusting through your average suburban living room, blowing the Sunday papers all over the place and startling the cat.
Yet familiar though the sea areas are by name, few people give much thought to where they are or what they contain. In ATTENTION ALL SHIPPING Charlie Connelly wittily explores the places behind the voice, those mysterious regions whose names seem often to bear no relation to conventional geography. Armchair travel will never be the same again.

* Author PR activity to include media interviews and appearances at literary festivals * Review and feature coverage * Reading copies available * Submitted for trade promotions * Also available as an audiobook

About the Author
Charlie Connelly is the author of a string of books including And Did Those Feet: Walking Through 2000 Years of British and Irish History, Last Train to Hilversum: A Journey in Search of the Magic of Radio and Bring Me Sunshine: A Windswept, Rain-Soaked, Sun-Kissed, Snow-Capped Guide to Our Weather. Three of his books have been selected as BBC Radio 4 Book of the Week. Charlie is the literary correspondent for the New European, writes and presents the Coastal Stories podcast and performs his one-man show about the shipping forecast in venues across the country. He lives in Scotland where he misses Charlton Athletic terribly.

Reviews
An engaging and often very funny book in which a metropolitan man, buffeted by winds and high seas, travels from Norway's smallest island to Europe's westernmost pointing search of the reality behind the reassuring Radio 4 recital * Sunday Times *
A wonderfully eccentric study * Observer *
One of those simple yet brilliant ideas... A book that's as gentle and pleasing as the shipping forecast itself * Daily Mail *
If listening to 'Sailing By' to the bitter end every night is the surest sign of a Radio 4 addict, then buying Charlie Connelly's book runs it close * Independent on Sunday *
Armchair travelling will never be the same again * Western Mail *
He brings the shipping forecast to life, revealing the reality to be bizarre, quirky and fantastic * Guernsey Press *
Charlie Connelly proves to be a suitably intelligent and amusing guide around these coastal stations and provides an illuminating history of the forecast itself * Hampstead and Highgate Express *
Attention All Shipping went down a storm with this sea lover. It has great humour. It has great atmosphere... a very entertaining read and, believe me, you'll never see cod in the same way again * Sunday Tribune *
Connelly has a light, humorous touch * Glasgow Evening Times *
A fascinating and very funny book * Weekly News *
A comic tribute to a radio bulletin ... also a quirky history of the outposts of northern Europe * Irish Times *
More than a travelogue ... anecdotes delight in the diversity of the remote communities, while biographies of unsung heroes of British maritime history emphasise that the forecast has been crucial in saving lives * Waterstones Books Quarterly *
A real gem * Bookseller *
An engaging and often very funny book * SUNDAY TIMES *
A wonderfully eccentric study * OBSERVER *
One of those simple yet brilliant ideas * DAILY MAIL *
If listening to 'Sailing By * to the bitter end every night is the surest sign of a Radio 4 addict, then buying Charlie Connelly's new travel book runs it close' *



Book Information
ISBN 9780349116037
Author Charlie Connelly
Format Paperback
Page Count 384
Imprint Abacus
Publisher Little, Brown Book Group
Weight(grams) 260g
Dimensions(mm) 198mm * 126mm * 26mm