Hen Frigates by Joan Druett

Subtitle: Wives of Merchant Captains Under Sail-- This was a very interesting book.  Hundreds of years ago travel on ships and moving cargo around was very different from today.  This book was put together using the diaries of the wives who traveled with their husbands.   It covered everything from what they wore to how they were expected to behave, personal relationships to raising children.  Things were very candid yet held close to the vest.  Many wives embraced the experiences and learned how to run the ship while others never liked it and chose to stay ashore after only a few times out.  At first it was hard to get into, but once you get the authors style it was quite enjoyable.