Christmas15 maritime book tips to give as gifts

Jill Grigoleit

 · 23.11.2025

Christmas: 15 maritime book tips to give as giftsPhoto: iStock (Hintergrund)
Christmas is approaching and with it the annual question: what to put under the tree? We have collected exciting and visually stunning gift ideas for the crew. From biographies to graphic novels. We also present seven maritime calendars that will make every skipper's heart beat faster.

More protection - The message of the oceans

The message of the seas by Matt Porteous and Tamsin RaineThe message of the seas by Matt Porteous and Tamsin Raine

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.


In human terms - Pip Hare and Boris Herrmann

In my element by Pip Hare

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, delius.klasing.de) 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, penguin.com). The focus is on challenges and the insights that can be gained from them, both personally and for our environment.


In search of

The trail of silver by Tillmann BendikowskiThe trail of silver by Tillmann Bendikowski

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, penguin.com) and "Der geträumte Norden" (320 p., hardback, ISBN 978-3-86648-717-8, 28 euros, mare.de), 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

To the church of Volter KilpiTo the church of Volter Kilpi

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: "Zur Kirche", 528 p., hardcover, slipcase, ISBN 978-3-86648-721-5, 54 euros, mare.de


Ready for the islands

Island at the Edge of the World by James Rebanks.
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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 euros, mare.de), 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 euros, penguin.com) 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 euros, penguin.com).

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Rediscovered - spectacular wrecks

Expedition into the unknown by Florian Huber (ed.).

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 euros, herder.de) and probably the most famous (Linda Maria Koldau: "Titanic", 304 p., ISBN 978-3-406-84048-7, 16 euros, chbeck.de).


The most precious thing - illustrated book water

Aqua by photographer Tom Krausz.Aqua by photographer Tom Krausz.

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 euros, koehler-mittler-shop.de


The last secret

To the bottom of the world by Laura Trethewey.To the bottom of the world by Laura Trethewey.

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: "Bis zum Grund der Welt", 368 p., hardcover, 978-3-86648-763-5, 28 euros, mare.de.


Dunkle Kaiserzeit - For crime fans

The Dead Man on the Alster by Anja Marschall.The Dead Man on the Alster by Anja Marschall.

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 pages, paperback, 13.5 x 20.5 cm, ISBN 978-3-7408-1709-1, 15 euros, emons-verlag.de.


Progressive - development of the DGzRS fleet

Full speed ahead! by Ulf Kaack and Manuel Miserok.Full speed ahead! by Ulf Kaack and Manuel Miserok.

The history of the sea rescuers is also the history of their fleet. "Voll voraus!" shows their technical development step by step in all details up to the modern Rigid Buoyant Boat. Ulf Kaack, Manuel Miserok: 256 p., hardback, ISBN 978-3-613-50998-6, 39.90 euros, motorbuch-versand.de


Calendar: The Art of Sailing

Calendar "The Art of Sailing" by yacht photographer Kurt Arrigo.Calendar "The Art of Sailing" by yacht photographer Kurt Arrigo.

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


Calendar - The sea in literature

Calendar "The sea in world literature"Calendar "The sea in world 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), calvendo.de.


Calendar: Mare Balticum

Calendar "Mare Balticum" by Nico KraussCalendar "Mare Balticum" by Nico Krauss

Nico Krauss has criss-crossed the Baltic Sea 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.


Calendar: BOOTE

The BOOTE calendar 2026The BOOTE calendar 2026

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 pages with explanatory pictures, spiral-bound, 46 x 56.5 cm, ISBN 978-3-667-13081-5, 29.90 euros.


Calendar: Sea views

Calendar "Views of the sea 2026".Calendar "Views of the sea 2026".

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, mare.de


Calendar: Riva

Riva Calendar 2026Riva Calendar 2026

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.


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