Being able to communicate with the local people is very important - whether it is to ask for a berth, a spare part or where the nearest chandlery or supermarket is. So, with this book, even if your pronunciation is a bit out, you should still be able to make yourself understood, quickly and efficiently, which makes this dictionary a vital part of your cruising kit.

The pocket dictionary is centred around clear, colour, annotated diagrams, such as parts of the rig and engine, in each nautical subject area, and makes it very easy and convenient to translate between nine languages (English, French, German, Dutch, Spanish, Italian, Danish, Portuguese and Greek). The diagrams can easily be used to show someone what is meant (or what is broken!) without having to worry about the language barrier. It covers general terms, such as 'port' and 'starboard', as well as technical words relating to engine and rigging repair and maintenance. Other topics include navigation, weather, seamanship, requesting help, medical emergencies, safety equipment, numbers and time.

Whether you're a keen offshore sailor, motorboater or even an armchair boating enthusiast, Reeds 9-Language Handbook is a handy reference tool that will help expand both your ability to communicate and your horizons.

Peter B. Mersky has written 16 books and numerous magazine articles concentrating on modern combat aircraft and the Vietnam War. He has written six previous Osprey titles, four of which have focused on the US Navy's and Marine Corps' use of the F­8 Crusader and one on the A-7 Corsair II in Vietnam (COM 48). His last COM (69) was on the A-4 in Vietnam. Another of his books was the first English account on Israeli fighter aces (Specialty Press, 1997), and it was the first such volume to be published outside of Israel. Another of his books, a history of US Marine Corps aviation, now in its fourth edition (Naval Institute Press, 2009), has sold more than 20,000 copies.

Jim Laurier is a native of New England, growing up in New Hampshire and Massachusetts. He has been drawing since he could hold a pencil and throughout his life, he has worked in many mediums creating artwork on a variety of subjects. He has worked on the Osprey Aviation list since 2000 and in that time, he has produced some of the finest artwork seen in these volumes. He has specialised in aircraft of the Vietnam War period. He did the profiles for the previous book on A-7s in Vietnam.