Nelson: A Dream of Glory, 1758-1797 (Paperback)
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|Short Description for Nelson The most authoritative and captivating account ever written of legendary British naval commander Horatio Nelson's early career and rise to prominence Among military and naval commanders, Horatio Nelson stands as one of the finest examples of inspirational leadership. The historian John Sugden charts the period of Nelson's career neglected by earlier writers-from childhood to his breathtaking victo...
Full description- Publisher: John MacRae Books
- Published: 03 October 2005
- Format: Paperback 943 pages
- See: Full bibliographic data
- Categories: Biography: Historical, Political & Military | Warfare & Defence | British & Irish History
- ISBN 13: 9780805079340 ISBN 10: 0805079343
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Full description for Nelson
The most authoritative and captivating account ever written of legendary British naval commander Horatio Nelson's early career and rise to prominence Among military and naval commanders, Horatio Nelson stands as one of the finest examples of inspirational leadership. The historian John Sugden charts the period of Nelson's career neglected by earlier writers-from childhood to his breathtaking victory against the Spanish fleet at Cape St. Vincent when he became an admiral, lost an arm, and won international fame. Like Alexander of Macedon, Nelson led from the front (not always a sensible custom). But he was a natural leader and a genuine hero, and his actions invariably raised his stock with his men, who trusted him as a commander willing to share their dangers.Nelson combines groundbreaking scholarship with a vivid and compelling narrative style. Detailing every facet of Nelson's crowded life, the author offers the only full account of Nelson's early voyages and the first complete analysis of the formative incidents in his career. Throughout there are revealing and startling discoveries about Nelson's relationships with family, patrons, officers, and men-and with his women. Previous biographies have failed to penetrate the mythology encrusting one of the world's greatest naval heroes, and none has been based on a thorough examination of original sources. Nelson will immediately become the benchmark against which all subsequent books about Nelson will be judged. It is a biography of the best sort: compelling, authoritative, and thrillingly alive. John Sugden, a historian and lecturer, has pursued his research for this work in archives in Europe and North America over the past decade. His earlier books include biographies of Francis Drake and Tecumseh, the Native American chief. Among military and naval commanders, Nelson stands in a small circle as one of the finest examples of inspirational leadership. In this massive work, historian John Sugden charts the period of Nelson's career neglected by earlier writers—from his character-forming childhood to his breathtaking victory against the Spanish fleet at Cape St. Vincent, when he became an admiral and won international fame. The great career ends dramatically with his bloody defeat at Tenerife, where he lost an arm. Like Alexander of Macedon, Nelson led from the front (not always a sensible custom). But he was a hero, and his actions invariably raised his stock with his men, who trusted him as a commander willing to share their dangers. Nelson: A Dream of Glory combines groundbreaking scholarship with a vivid narrative style. Dealing with every facet of his crowded life, Sugden offers us the only full account of Nelson's early voyages and the first complete analysis of the formative incidents in his career. Throughout, there are revealing, startling, and sometimes shocking discoveries about Nelson's relationships with family, patrons, officers and men, and women. Previous biographies have failed to penetrate the mythology encrusting one of history's greatest naval heroes, and none has been based on a thorough review of original sources. This, then, will immediately become the benchmark against which all subsequent books on Nelson will be judged. Enthralling from the first page to the last, Sugden's vast, richly detailed canvas gives new life to one of history's greatest leaders of men in battle. "This splendid and colossal volume is the first of two [books that will comprise] what is likely to be the definitive biography of Lord Nelson for at least a generation . . . Sugden handles [his subject] with aplomb . . . Whether or not one believes in 'great men,' this is surely a great book about one of the most significant figures in the history of naval warfare . . . [This book] will notably illuminate the seascape as we approach the bicentennial of the Battle of Trafalgar."—Publishers Weekly (starred review) "Sugden relates Nelson's early life with masterly verve, diligence, and eloquence. His research is flawless, his voice clear, and his judgments unfailingly sound . . . There is hardly a cranny of Nelson's fascinating story that Sugden does not explore to maximum depth."—The Providence Journal "As this comprehensive study of the early life of Admiral Nelson is unlikely ever to be bettered, the claim of it being definitive is fully justified. Sugden has discovered much that is new, as well as demolishing the many myths about [Nelson] that have grown up over the years. A book of wide-ranging scholarship and impressive achievement."—Sir Ludovic Kennedy, author of Pursuit: The Chase and Sinking of the Battleship Bismarck "This work is massively authoritative."—Max Hastings, author of Armageddon: The Battle for Germany, 1944-1945 "Sugden's account of Nelson's battles is richly absorbing, and his fluent, buoyant prose scuds along, carrying the reader with it. This must surely become a standard life."—The Spectator (London) "This splendid and colossal volume is the first of two [books that will comprise] what is likely to be the definitive biography of Lord Nelson for at least a generation. The basic narrative may be familiar to most readers, taking Nelson from his childhood in a Norfolk rectory into the Royal Navy and up through its ranks to rear admiral. It leaves him there, temporarily beached, steeped in glory from his role at the Battle of Cape St. Vincent and minus an arm and an eye. Sugden has surpassed virtually every writer on the subject since the late Carola Oman in two respects. One, he has indefatigably used primary sources, sought over many years in many countries with much acknowledged help from fellow scholars. Second, he has placed Nelson firmly in the context of his country and his service in the 18th century, an era when a free and easy attitude toward sex, money, and influence peddling prevailed. Sugden handles these aspects of 'the Nelson touch' with aplomb—as well as the man's thorough knowledge of his profession, nearly suicidal physical courage, personal charisma, and loyalty both up and down. Whether or not one believes in 'great men,' this is surely a great book about one of the most significant figures in the history of naval warfare, and even one volume of this latest biography will notably illuminate the seascape as we approach the bicentennial of the Battle of Trafalgar."—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
