1797: Nelson's Year of Destiny

From Booklist
One of several recent books on the great British naval commander of the Napoleonic era, White's 1797 is based on a number of recently discovered primary sources as well as on the authentic texts of others that have been current in versions edited to the point of butchery. It makes a detailed accounting of the period from December 1796 to December 1797. During those 12 months, Nelson exhibited the seamanship, planning skills, tactical insight, personal leadership, and charisma that constituted the foundation of his later career and his subsequent legend. White excellently separates myths from probable facts, such as that, at the Battle of Cape St. Vincent, Nelson was not disobeying orders but displaying intelligent initiative of the kind Admiral Jervis encouraged. Several more books like this one--further products of a bicentennial project on Nelson--have been and will be published. Altogether, such works should considerably help in separating Nelsonic historiography from hagiography. Roland Green

From Kirkus Reviews
Highly detailed and as exciting as the best Patrick OBrian novel, this is one of the best accounts of the great British admirals dazzling achievements, from the deputy director of Englands Royal Naval Museum. Published to commemorate a pivotal year in the ``Nelson decade'' (the period from 1795 to 1805, of which the bicentennial is currently being marked), this brief account looks at the period that solidified Nelsons position as Britains chief hope in maintaining her position as the worlds leading maritime power. The author combines outstanding scholarship with narrative skill to capture the excitement of such events as the evacuation of Elba, the Battle of Cape St. Vincent, the blockade of Cadiz, and the attack on Tenerife (in which Nelson lost his arm). White also debunks many of the myths that have surrounded Nelson over the years, such as his supposed disobedience at the Battle of Cape St. Vincenta ``disobedience'' that saved the battle and won an earldom for Sir John Jervis, the commanding admiral of the British fleet at St. Vincent. Illustrated throughout by period paintings (unfortunately not in color), the book utilizes boxed sidebars to present new information on Nelson and his battles. This varies in importance, from done-to-death topics like who really cut off Nelsons arm to such really juicy bits as the revelation that a former Nelson mistress, Adelaide Correglia, spied for him during his blockade of the Italian port of Leghorne (Livorno). Written with sweep and excitement, capturing the spirit of Nelson by looking at one memorable year, this will be a treat for any naval history fan. -- Copyright ©1999, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Book Description
It was at the Battle of Cape St Vincent on 14 February 1797, when the Royal Navy won a great victory over the Spanish, that Nelson first came to public fame. Five months later in the attack on Santa Cruz on 22-25 July he suffered a bloody defeat at the hands of the Spanish and lost an arm. These two events, one a success the other a humiliating failure, played a key role in shaping Nelson's character and style as a leader. Taken together they mark a significant turning point in his life. In this new and provocative work, Colin White draws together recent research and new discoveries into a comprehensive and enthralling narrative account that places the two battles in their strategic and political contexts. He has uncovered previously overlooked contemporary accounts of both battles and has concluded that the traditional British accounts of both battles need careful reassessment. Specially drawn plans for both battles incorporate this new information. The narrative is interspersed with more reflective sections in which new evidence is analysed and compared against the traditional accounts, and where the particular significance of the events for Nelson are highlighted.


Buy from Amazon     Compare Prices

Buy from Barnes & Noble     Compare Prices