The target audience for this book would be the general reader, perhaps even young adults. In fact, it kind of reminds me of the “How and Why Wonder Book” series of illustrated books that were popular with young people back in the 60’s and 70’s (see: https://www.pinterest.com/rastin/how-…) I still have my How and Why Wonder Book of WWII, in fact.
Many years ago, I read Captain Slocum’s Sailing Alone around the World and found it fascinating reading. Fascinating not only for the feat itself (he was the first person to sail around the world alone) but also for it’s engaging sense of adventure and the Captain’s writing style, which was very good considering he left home at a very young age to go to sea.
However, I always had this vision of him retiring to a quiet shore life after attaining fame and (some) fortune from his globe-encircling trek. This was not the case, as this volume by author Quentin Casey well describes.
Mr. Casey includes a bibliography at the end of various books he used in his research and freely quotes from throughout each chapter. With a cover price of $15.95, this would make a nice gift for anyone with an interest in Maritime/Nautical history. I would definitely enjoy examining the “Stories of Our Past” series of books further.