First Impressions

This week's competition, in which you have to identify a book from its opening sentence, is from a sailor's journey:

"Friday May th to Friday July 29th. Moderate and fair weather, at 11am hoisted the Pendant and took charge of the Ship agreeable to my Commission of the 25th Instant, She lying in the Bason in Deptford Yard."

* Entries, including postal address, should be sent to First Impressions, The Times Higher , Admiral House, 66-68 East Smithfield, London E1W 1BX, faxed to 020 7782 3300 or e-mailed to theschat@thes.co.uk

The winner receives a £25 book voucher. The closing date is July 11.

The winner of last week's competition, who identified William Cobbett's Rural Rides, is John Flood of the English department at Bishop Grosseteste College.

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