This has been a constant in human history for thousands of years: People try to save themselves by getting to a better world on sea routes. They leave their belongings and relatives behind. Often they risk their lives. Their motives are acute danger, economic hardships, religious and ethnic discrimination, escape from dictatorship.

Seeking freedom and personal happiness, thousands upon thousands are being stopped or even dying at sea, be it in war or peace. Dramatic events, great human accomplishments and terrible tragedies - all this is connected with the flight across the sea.

Historian and author Erik Lindner depicts the flight across the sea in eleven historical contexts from antiquity to the present day. He works with a focus on individual people who represent the particular event. Flight over the sea is a serious and moving humanity theme.