We do seem to have rather a problem with this book, because the copy we worked from had pages 15 and 16 missing (sheet was missing) and also the bottom half of pages 283 and 284 has been torn out. Eventually, when I can see another copy of the book I will be able to rectify this, but at the moment there does not seem to be a copy in sight: it doesn't even seem to be listed in the British Library Catalogue.

Jack is an academic and clever boy, who does not do much in the way of sport and exercise. This worries his father who talks about it to the local doctor. They decide that Jack has to be forced into the world most of us inhabit, but the way they do it was surely a bit of an over-kill, for Sir John (the father, who is a baronet), buys a yacht capable of sailing round the world, and they all set off in it, including Ned, one of the domestics from home. There is an excellent crew and the skipper of the yacht is taken on for the trip.

Jack is pretty miserable at first, with seasickness, but gradually he joins in with the daily activities, and as time goes on he becomes indistinguishable from other boys who might have this opportunity. We join in with Jack and Ned in various adventures, mostly in the Java seas.

Apart from the minor blemish of the three missing texts, the book is most enjoyable. There are the usual G M Fenn tight situations, but of course the young men (as these boys would like to be called) manage to get out of them.