150. Smuggling

Context:

Mentioned alongside Moonfleet as a key book that shaped the romanticized, Cornwall-based image of smuggling. Daphne du Maurier is described as being 'responsible in the large part' for the fictional image of smugglers. Preston notes that du Maurier drew on the story of the real Cornish smuggler John Carter, the King of Prussia, in writing Jamaica Inn.

Context:

Alex Preston's new novel about smuggling, set in the golden age of smuggling in Kent/Sussex during the 18th century. It is discussed throughout the entire episode as the reason for the conversation, with Tom Holland describing it as 'Daphne du Maurier crossed with Quentin Tarantino.' The novel was inspired by the Hawkhurst gang and culminates in the historically accurate Battle of Goudhurst. Preston notes his novel romanticizes smugglers while acknowledging the brutal reality.

Context:

Mentioned as one of the primary books shaping the public's romanticized image of smuggling. Published in 1899, it is set in Dorset on Chesil Beach. Alex Preston passionately defends it as 'an absolute cast iron masterpiece' and 'a beautiful, beautiful novel,' praising its ending as extraordinarily moving with 'LP Hartley-esque nostalgia for a golden age.' He pushes back against a listener who said studying it at GCSE ruined smuggling for them.

Context:

Mentioned as contributing to the popular fictional image of smuggling alongside Moonfleet and Jamaica Inn. The Poldark novels are referenced later as a comparison point when discussing the adventurous life of John Carter's brother, whose escapades are described as 'very Poldark.'

Context:

Described as 'largely forgotten' novels set on the Romney Marshes, making them geographically much more accurate than Cornwall-set smuggling stories. Alex Preston mentions them as part of the canon of smuggling fiction that shaped public perception, though they are far less well known than Moonfleet or Jamaica Inn.

Context:

Explicitly quoted by Alex Preston to illustrate how smugglers were seen as operating outside unjust laws rather than natural justice. The specific quote describes a smuggler as 'a person who, though no doubt highly blamable for violating the laws of his country, is frequently incapable of violating those of natural justice' — used to explain the Robin Hood-like perception of smugglers in the 18th century.

Context:

Described as 'a fantastic book' that definitively debunks the myth of deliberate wrecking in Cornwall. Alex Preston says the book 'absolutely put me straight' on the topic, explaining that there is 'almost zero record' of people deliberately luring ships onto rocks. The book argues the wrecker image was created by ship owners and insurers to discourage communities from salvaging shipwrecks.

Context:

Alex Preston identifies this as where he first encountered smuggling as a child. The book features a smuggling gang and wreckers. All three hosts enthusiastically praise the 'little Tim' series, with Preston saying he had 'proper tears in my eyes' reading it to his son. Dominic recalls choosing a Tim book to read at his son's preschool, which ended with a massive fight that the other parents found inappropriate.

Context:

Recommended near the end of the episode by Alex Preston as 'a book you should read' — described as a 'brilliant kind of memoir of the Kent coast.' It is mentioned in the context of discussing the dark, violent undercurrents that exist beneath the placid surface of rural Kent and Sussex, connecting historical smuggling violence to present-day tensions around migration.

Context:

The poem is read aloud by Dominic at the opening and closing of the episode, with Alex Preston noting that Kipling's house Bateman's is visible from where he's sitting. While a poem rather than a book, it is a published work that frames the entire episode's discussion of the romanticized image of smuggling versus the brutal reality.

Context:

Described by Alex Preston as 'a brilliant paper' that argues smugglers wouldn't have reached the heights they did without the support of Jacobites. Preston cites Monod (spelling out M-O-N-O-D) to explain how large Jacobite landowning families supported smuggling gangs financially, provided hiding places, and helped dispose of bodies. While an academic paper rather than a book, it is a significant scholarly work referenced in the discussion.

Context:

Referenced as a humorous aside when Alex Preston reads the medieval legislation surrounding the Cinque Ports, with its archaic legal terms like 'blodwit and fledwit, pillory and tumbril.' Tom Holland jokes 'You sure that's not 1066 and All That?' comparing the absurd-sounding medieval legal language to the famous comic history book.