Lord Nelson

'Written by two of the UK's finest naval historians' (from the back cover), the authors managed to create, at least in this readers mind, an almost palpable taste of cordite in the back of the throat and a recoil from the bloodstained decks of England's pride and joy. Howarth excels in explaining Nelson's naval strategy and does not fail to execute with a superbly delicate touch' an illustration of Nelson's troubled domestic life. The failure of Great Britain to honour the family of its hero is well documented and is nothing but an everlasting national disgrace. This is a ripping good read, beautifully written. The book exudes oak and pitch, blood and sweat in glorious detail. Not missed are petticoats and carriages and a depiction of 'Emma' that is at times both tender and analytical. Occasionally I got the feeling Howarth would have made a great 'Hardy' to Nelson, carefully navigating the 90 gun 'Perspective'. Wonderful !

There have been three biographies of Nelson written in the past few years that are worth reading; Tom Pocock's, Christopher Hibbert's, and this one by the Howarths. Pocock's is in many ways the most enjoyable to read, Hibbert's has some new information, but "Nelson: The Immortal Memory" is my own favorite and a good selection for someone just beginning to find out about the contradictory, fascinating man who was unquestionably the greatest fighting admiral who ever lived and whose memory lives on in the modern Royal Navy.