This an extremely attractive and well set out reference book. It is a compendium of information about 140 classic sail boats and dinghies marshalled in four categories: Dinghies, Fixed Keel boats, other one-design yachts and Olympic classes. Each entry is beautifully illustrated with a colour photo of the boat under sail and a line drawing of its sail plan. The design specifications of the class are set out in a separate easy to see box as are interesting snippets of information in another. The text for each entry explains the origins of the class, the reasons for its development and for its popularity. Published by Adlard Coles in collaboration with Classic Boat, its author is one of its contributors. If you are thinking of buying a boat, this book might provide some useful information. It is, however, an interesting read in its own right. BM