It describes a sailing cruise in Latvia with his new wife Evgenia (formerly Trotsky’s secretary) up the Aa River, from Riga to Mitau and back.  A classic Ransome story, it is illustrated with his own photos.

Swallows and Amazons is responsible for more people taking up sailing that any other book.  Arthur Ransome’s style is unique and appeals to children and adults alike.

The book was collated by Brian Hammett from Ransome's (often hand-written) manuscript, and a foreword puts the book in perspective.