- Paperback: 362 pages
- Publisher: Phoenix; New Edition edition (15 Jun 2006)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0753820951
- ISBN-13: 978-0753820957
- Product Dimensions: 2.5 x 19.7 x 12.7 cm
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 569,935 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Review
"Trafalgar was not only a great sea battle, it saved Britain from invasion by Napoleon. That is why this book, which rattles along excitingly, gave me fresh appetite for the subject. It sets Nelson's victory in context - the risks of 1940 were just as grave in 1805.... Nicholas Best's racy account of the prelude to the sea battle makes one realise how risky sea warfare was under sail." (Peter Lewis DAILY MAIL )
"Nicholas Best uses eyewitness accounts to recreate the tension and uncertainty of the campaign that led to the battle, and to describe the carnage and the glory of Trafalgar itself." (CHURCH TIMES )
"This gripping book tells the story of Britain's legendary naval victory on October 21, 1905 in which the national hero, Admiral Lord Nelson, was killed by a French sharpshooter... Nicholas Best has done an excellent job describing the build up to the Battle and the primative conditions on the ships... This book is replete with fascinating details." (ANTHONY LOOCH GLASGOW EVENING TIMES )
"None are likely to be more comprehensive or gripping than this one, which describes the Royal Navy's triumph over the French which effectively scuppered Napoleon's threat to invade Britain... He is unsparing in his details of the bloodshed wrought by cannons and cutlass wielding seamen who boarded the shattered ships." (LEICESTER MERCURY )
"Cambridge author Nicholas Best recreates the terrible tension and uncertainty of the naval campaign that led to the most famous sea fight in history. His original research draws on a wide range of eyewitnesses to craft a gripping minute-by-minute account." (CAMBRIDGESHIRE JOURNAL ) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
"Nicholas Best uses eyewitness accounts to recreate the tension and uncertainty of the campaign that led to the battle, and to describe the carnage and the glory of Trafalgar itself." (CHURCH TIMES )
"This gripping book tells the story of Britain's legendary naval victory on October 21, 1905 in which the national hero, Admiral Lord Nelson, was killed by a French sharpshooter... Nicholas Best has done an excellent job describing the build up to the Battle and the primative conditions on the ships... This book is replete with fascinating details." (ANTHONY LOOCH GLASGOW EVENING TIMES )
"None are likely to be more comprehensive or gripping than this one, which describes the Royal Navy's triumph over the French which effectively scuppered Napoleon's threat to invade Britain... He is unsparing in his details of the bloodshed wrought by cannons and cutlass wielding seamen who boarded the shattered ships." (LEICESTER MERCURY )
"Cambridge author Nicholas Best recreates the terrible tension and uncertainty of the naval campaign that led to the most famous sea fight in history. His original research draws on a wide range of eyewitnesses to craft a gripping minute-by-minute account." (CAMBRIDGESHIRE JOURNAL ) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Book Description
A brilliant page-turning account of the most famous sea fight in history
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I have read several excellent books on the battle of Trafalgar and thought that there was very little more that could be said on the subject. In a way I was right but what Nicholas Best has done is place the battle itself within the context of the time. Not until page 229 did Collingwood break the enemy line at Trafalgar. Before this the scene is set by description of events at sea and on land in both England and France and further afield. The movements of Nelson and of his great adversary Napoleon are followed in the 2 years preceding the battle. The threat of the French army massed around Boulogne preparing to invade England is vividly described. Beautifully written and including extracts from many first hand reports the narative proceeds at a pace. I found the information about what Napoleon was up to and why especially interesting, and this really highlights the importance of the result of the battle. Trafalgar itself is compressed into only about 70 pages and is followed by some interesting chapters on the aftermath of the conflict and the fate of the main participants. I found this a thoroughly satisfying and very readable book which will appeal to those who are already familiar with the subject because of the additional information that it provides. For those who are new to Nelson's exploits I strongly recommend this as a first read followed by one of the more meaty tombs devoted to the battle itself.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Whilst interested in British history, the Napoleonic era in general and naval warfare of that era in particular were not subjects for which I had a particular enthusiasm, so when a friend who is keen on the subject exhorted me to read his copy of this book I accepted it more out of politeness than anything and a few weeks went by before I picked it up and idly started to read.
In the first three pages I was gripped. The author begins with a vivid account of Napoleon reviewing his army at Boulogne and sets the tone for the rest of the book - a broad canvas telling the wider story punctuated by details that truly communicate what it must really have been like. Nicholas Best clearly understands his role as a storyteller and he's very good at it. The preparation for the eventual meeting of the fleets builds the tension and the protagonists, be they admirals, politicians, British subjects fearful of invasion or ordinary seamen, come to life with what seems a few well-chosen words. Once into the battle itself the detail that Best has employed seems to shift up a gear and one is left in no doubt of the courage shown and the horror experienced by men (and women) on the ships of all sides. The account of Nelson's death, and particularly the return of his body to England, conjures up all the grief that the British people felt and best ensures that the reader understands it, more than 200 years later.
I soon realised I would have to have my own copy as this is definitely a book to re-read. This is popular history which is informative yet reads as the very best novel. It cannot be recommended highly enough.
In the first three pages I was gripped. The author begins with a vivid account of Napoleon reviewing his army at Boulogne and sets the tone for the rest of the book - a broad canvas telling the wider story punctuated by details that truly communicate what it must really have been like. Nicholas Best clearly understands his role as a storyteller and he's very good at it. The preparation for the eventual meeting of the fleets builds the tension and the protagonists, be they admirals, politicians, British subjects fearful of invasion or ordinary seamen, come to life with what seems a few well-chosen words. Once into the battle itself the detail that Best has employed seems to shift up a gear and one is left in no doubt of the courage shown and the horror experienced by men (and women) on the ships of all sides. The account of Nelson's death, and particularly the return of his body to England, conjures up all the grief that the British people felt and best ensures that the reader understands it, more than 200 years later.
I soon realised I would have to have my own copy as this is definitely a book to re-read. This is popular history which is informative yet reads as the very best novel. It cannot be recommended highly enough.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I started this without great enthusism, the Napoleonic period not being a favourite, but I was in for an unexpected treat ! From page 1 to the very end, Nicholas Best takes us on an adventure into the events and the people, starting with Napoleon's army gathered on the cliffs at Boulogne through to the great national mourning at the death of Nelson. England's preparations for the expected invasion are told in fascinating detail, and as the author switches between the two sides to set the scene he creates a real page-turner. This is so readable, and yet based on meticulous research and with regular information from those actually involved. Life at sea is vividly recreated, the battle of Trafalgar is told in all its brutal horror, so many interesting characters (mainly English, French and Spanish) take the stage, and the whole result is one of the most enjoyable History books I've read for a long time. Very highly recommended.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Excellent book.
A great overview of the events preceeding the battle.
A nice uncomplicated tale of the battle.
An excellent book to get started into the subject of Nelson / Wellington /... Read more
A nice uncomplicated tale of the battle.
An excellent book to get started into the subject of Nelson / Wellington /... Read more
Published on 12 Mar 2010 by Mr. Paul Barrack
Look forward to reading it again.
I have read a large number of books relating to Trafalgar and this era and this is by far my favourite. It really puts the Battle of Trafalgar into context. Read more
Published on 6 April 2008 by cat-puccino
Superb read.
Having read many books about Trafalgar and associated subjects, I didn't have much enthusiasm for this book when I received it as a gift. Read more
Published on 2 Jan 2008 by Mr. A. Willis
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