Deep Sea and Foreign Going

Deep Sea and Foreign Going follows journalist Rose George's journey aboard a container ship from Felixstowe to Singapore, documenting life at sea and the realities of modern shipping. Through direct observation and interviews, she chronicles the experiences of crews who transport 90% of everything we consume. George investigates the hidden world of international shipping, exploring issues like piracy, pollution, maritime law, and the harsh working conditions faced by seafarers. She visits ports, speaks with maritime officials, and examines the complex systems that keep global trade moving across the oceans. The book combines immersive reporting with research into the history and economics of shipping, revealing an industry that remains largely invisible to the general public. Through her five-week voyage and additional investigations, George documents both the daily routines and extraordinary challenges of maritime commerce. The narrative presents shipping as a lens through which to view globalization, human labor, and humanity's complex relationship with the seas. By focusing on this vital but overlooked industry, the book raises questions about the true costs and consequences of our modern consumer economy.

Readers appreciate the detailed research and first-hand accounts of life aboard container ships, with many noting how the book reveals an invisible industry. Multiple reviews highlight George's ability to balance technical information with human stories of seafarers. Positive comments focus on: - Clear explanations of complex shipping logistics - Eye-opening statistics about maritime trade - Personal narratives of crew members' lives - Coverage of piracy and environmental impacts Common criticisms: - Jumps between topics without clear transitions - Too much focus on the author's personal journey - Some technical sections drag on - Uneven pacing throughout chapters Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (2,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (280+ ratings) One reader noted: "Finally understood why everything I buy says 'Made in China' but never 'Shipped via Singapore'" Several reviewers mentioned difficulty following the narrative structure, with one stating "interesting content but meanders like a ship without navigation."

Down to the Sea in Ships by Horatio Clare Chronicles life aboard container ships and their crews through firsthand accounts of two commercial voyages on the same routes explored in George's book.

90 Percent of Everything by Ian Urbina Documents the hidden world of modern shipping through investigations of crime, labor conditions, and environmental impact in international waters.

Looking for a Ship by John McPhee Follows the journey of a US merchant marine crew aboard a cargo vessel, revealing the realities of commercial shipping life and maritime trade.

The Outlaw Ocean by Ian Urbina Reports on lawlessness at sea through stories of trafficking, piracy, and exploitation in the global shipping industry.

The Box by Marc Levinson Traces the development of container shipping and its impact on globalization through the lens of economic and maritime history.

🚢 Rose George spent 5 weeks aboard the container ship Maersk Kendal to research this book, traveling from Felixstowe, England to Singapore. 🌊 90% of everything we buy arrives by ship, yet the shipping industry remains largely invisible to most consumers. ⚓ The book reveals that modern cargo ships often operate with crews as small as 20 people, despite being longer than three football fields. 🏴‍☠️ In the decade before the book's publication, more than 3,000 seafarers were held hostage by pirates, with some captive for years. 🌍 The container shipping industry produces more carbon dioxide than many countries, with just 16 of the world's largest ships producing as much sulfur pollution as all the world's cars combined.