Richard A. Gould is Emeritus Professor of Anthropology at Brown University. In addition to writing articles for numerous journals including American Antiquity and The International Journal of Nautical Archaeology, he has contributed to several edited volumes, among them the Encyclopedia of Underwater and Maritime Archaeology and The Oxford Companion to Archaeology. He is the author of twelve books, including Disaster Archaeology, Recovering the Past, Shipwreck Anthropology and Living Archaeology.
'In his informative and fact-filled book, Gould covers much ground - and water - from the beginnings of ship construction and waterborne trade in ancient times to the peculiarities of areas where ships are likely to founder.' Norman N. Brown, Associated Press 'Overall, this is a well researched and written book that makes a significant contribution to both underwater archaeology and maritime history … Archaeologists, historians and anyone with an interest in the maritime world will find this book appealing, worthwhile and a valuable addition to their personal libraries.' The Northern Mariner