This book has interesting history related to the shipping business pre and post Civil War managed from Thomaston, Maine, New Orleans, London, and other ports including the important Pacific guano trade. The book is based on letters found in an attic in Thomaston and revolve around the Gillchrest family. It is a brief book.
The book would have been enhanced if it had an index and a Gillchrest family tree. The author also makes no attempt to educate the non-mariner to nautical terms used throughout. I also found it disconcerting that the author repeatedly, incorrectly referenced the author of A Town That Went to Sea, an excellent resource book, by the author's maiden name, Lermond, rather than her married name by which her book was published - this makes the reader wonder if there are other errors left uncorrected. However, Stackpole correctly identifies her in his "Select Bibliography", as Aubigne Lermond Packard.
Overall, The Gillchrest Papers does compliment Packard's book and in fairness, Aubigne Lermond Packard did not index her excellent book either. ( )