Christmas: 15 maritime book tips to give as gifts

More protection - The message of the oceans

Matt Porteous and Tamsin Raine use photos and stories from around the world to show why the oceans need protection more than ever - and what many committed people are already doing to protect them. "The Message of the Oceans", 240 p., hardcover, 22.2 x 26.8 cm, ISBN 978-3-667-13142-3, 39.90 euros >> available from Delius Klasing.

In human terms - Pip Hare and Boris Herrmann

Two new personal books about two greats from the world of single-handed racing sailing: "In My Element" by Pip Hare (272 p., hardback, 14.9 x 22.8 cm, ISBN 978-3-667-13156-0, 26.90 euros, available from Delius Klasing) and "Die Welt unter meinem Boot" by Boris Herrmann in collaboration with Walter Wüllenweber (336 p., hardback, 13.5 x 21.5 cm, ISBN 978-3-570-10601-3, 26.90 euros >> available here). The focus is on challenges and the insights that can be gained from them, both personally and for our environment.

In search of

For some it is greater wealth, for others greater knowledge: In "Die Spur des Silbers" (256 p., hardback, 13.5 x 21.5 cm, ISBN 978-3-570-10543-6, 26 euros >> available here) and "Der geträumte Norden" (320 p., hardcover, ISBN 978-3-86648-717-8, 28 Euro >> available here), authors Tillmann Bendikowski and Adwin de Kluyver describe the search for completely different "treasures" and their effects on both small and large scales.

All in the same boat

The Finnish archipelago in the 19th century: A village rows to church in a church boat - plenty of time to bring a wide variety of characters to life. Volter Kilpi: "To the Church", 528 pp., hardback, slipcase, ISBN 978-3-86648-721-5, 54 euros >> available here.

Ready for the islands

Rough isles as stages for stories: About a long-lost child that the ocean suddenly gives back (Julia R. Kelly: "The Gift of the Sea", 352 p., hardcover, ISBN 978-3-86648-748-2, 25 Euro >> available here), about an old woman on Norway's west coast and her legacy (James Rebanks: "Insel am Rand der Welt", 304 p., ISBN 978-3-328-60419-8, 24 Euro >> available here) to a man who rediscovers his history on Heligoland (Saša Stanišić: "Möchte die Witwe angesprochen werden ...", 256 p., hardcover, ISBN 978-3-442-77541-5, 14 Euro >> available here).

Rediscovered - spectacular wrecks

Long Hidden Things in a New Light: Spectacular Shipwrecks (Florian Huber [ed.]: "Expedition ins Unbekannte", 208 p., hardcover, ISBN 978-3-534-61094-5, 45 Euro >> available here) and probably the most famous (Linda Maria Koldau: "Titanic", 304 p., ISBN 978-3-406-84048-7, 16 Euro >> available here).

The most precious thing - illustrated book water

Water in all its manifestations, in all states and in all places, as a landscape or habitat - that is the theme of "Aqua". Photographer Tom Krausz has collected the most diverse motifs from all over the world over decades and has now summarised the most impressive ones. 240 p., hardcover, 29.5 x 26 cm, ISBN 978-3-7822-1572-5, 39 Euro >> available here.

The last secret

The seabed is the last blank spot on the world map. But the search for raw materials even at the deepest depths is now causing them to shrink rapidly. What opportunities and dangers does this bring? Laura Trethewey: "To the bottom of the world", 368 p., hardcover, 978-3-86648-763-5, 28 euros >> available here.

Dunkle Kaiserzeit - For crime fans

Hamburg 1906: A murder takes place in the elegant celebratory circles of the Hanseatic city - and the investigating inspector soon realises that he and his family are being targeted by the perpetrator. Anja Marschall: "Der Tote an der Alster", 272 p., paperback, 13.5 x 20.5 cm, ISBN 978-3-7408-1709-1, 15 Euro >> available here.

Progressive - development of the DGzRS fleet

The history of the sea rescuers is also the history of their fleet. "Voll voraus!" shows their technical development step by step in every detail up to the modern Rigid Buoyant Boat. Ulf Kaack, Manuel Miserok: 256 p., hardcover, ISBN 978-3-613-50998-6, 39,90 Euro >> available here.

Calendar: The Art of Sailing

With this calendar, yacht photographer Kurt Arrigo shows how passion for sailing is captured in pictures. "The Art of Sailing 2026", 13 sheets with captions, spiral-bound, 47 x 68 cm, ISBN 978-3-667-13104-1, 39.90 euros >> available from Delius Klasing.

Calendar - The sea in literature

Famous stories reinterpreted in linocuts, from Jules Verne to Ernest Hemingway and Patrick O'Brian. "The Sea in World Literature 2026", five different formats, from the A5 desk calendar (20.99 euros) to the A2 premium wall calendar (79.99 euros) >> available here.

Calendar: Mare Balticum

Nico Krauss has explored the Baltic Sea criss-cross on his own keel, his photographs capturing the most diverse moods. "Mare Balticum 2026", 13 sheets with explanatory notes, spiralbound, 46 x 54 cm, ISBN 978-3-667-13092-1, 29.90 euros >> available here.

Calendar: BOOTE

From fast-paced to relaxed, the new BOOTE calendar once again shows all facets of the most beautiful hobby in the world. "BOOTE 2026", 13 sheets with explanatory pictures, spiral-bound, 46 x 56.5 cm, ISBN 978-3-667-13081-5, 29.90 euros >> available from Delius Klasing.

Calendar: Sea views

The large-format Mare wall calendar brings together cliffs, beaches and bays from the Arctic to the tropics - a window for the living room wall. "Meeresblicke 2026", 13 sheets, spiral-bound, 82 x 58 cm, ISBN 978-3-86648-755-0, 49 euros >> available here.

Calendar: Riva

Timeless elegance and iconic classics: the motorboats of the Italian brand Riva have characterised an entire generation of European water sports. The new wall calendar shows the dynamics and details of the runabouts from Lake Iseo. "Riva 2026", 13 sheets with explanatory pictures, spiral-bound, 48 x 68 cm, ISBN 978-3-667-13097-6, 39.90 euros >> available from Delius Klasing.

The BOOTE logbook - for your trouser pocket

Perfect for the cockpit or for reference and refreshing during your time ashore: The "BOOTE-Bordbuch" in an updated 2nd edition. Compact knowledge. Christian Tiedt: "BOOTE-Bordbuch", 288 p., flexible binding, 10 x 14 cm, ISBN 978-3-667-13151-5, 19,90 Euro >> available from Delius Klasing.