Where do you start with the hundreds of books about Horatio Nelson? To mark his 250th birthday, two historians single out the 10 best
Everyone’s favourite vice-admiral … Lord Nelson.
Roy and Lesley Adkins’s many books include Trafalgar, which tells the story of the war at sea in Napoleonic times, and their latest book Jack Tar, looking at life in the navy in Nelson’s era.
“Vice-admiral Lord Horatio Nelson was perhaps the ultimate tragic hero, who died in his hour of triumph at the Battle of Trafalgar (October 21 1805). He held the position of national hero throughout the 19th century to become the best-known figure in British history. Few people have had more books written about them than Nelson – over a thousand so far, and yet there always seems to be newly discovered material or a new way of approaching the subject to justify another book. On this, the 250th anniversary of his birth, here are some of the best.”
1. Nelson: Britannia’s God of War by Andrew Lambert
To have any hope of understanding the man himself and his enduring celebrity status, it is essential to read two or three of the many biographies. Lambert’s book, which is up-to-date, easy to read and short (well, compared to many of the others), is a good place to start.
2. The Pursuit of Victory: The Life and Achievement of Horatio Nelson by Roger Knight
At 874 pages, this is one of the heavyweight biographies of the vice-admiral. It employs the latest research to provide a detailed analysis of the man and his place in history, backed up by many pages of references and notes, as well as a section of biographical sketches of people who interacted with Nelson.
3. Nelson: A Dream of Glory by John Sugden
This is the book for those who want more about the hero. It covers his early life and career, from his birth in 1758 to the disastrous, failed attack on Tenerife in 1797, in which he lost his right arm. These years are presented in great detail in the 788 pages; publication of the second volume was expected this spring, and its delay is a huge disappointment to Nelson enthusiasts.
4. Nelson: The New Letters edited by Colin White
Given the volume of research and published works about Nelson, it is surprising that there are still letters being discovered that were written to and from him. Perhaps even more surprising is the fact that such material has not been studied comprehensively since the mid-19th century, when seven volumes of dispatches and letters were edited and published by Sir Nicholas Harris Nicolas. This book presents a substantial selection of new material drawn from archives worldwide.
5. Nelson’s Navy: The Ships, Men and Organisation 1793-1815 by Brian Lavery
It is difficult to understand Nelson without some idea of the navy to which he belonged. Lavery’s book provides all the information, facts and figures that you could possibly want, from the ships, weapons and equipment to how the sailors lived and fought. It is very well illustrated throughout with black and white photographs and diagrams.
6. Nelson’s Ships: A History of the Vessels in Which He Served 1771-1805 by Peter Goodwin
This book does everything it says in the title. It provides a wealth of varied facts, figures and stories relating to every ship in which Nelson served. Like Lavery’s, it is copiously illustrated with black and white photographs and diagrams.
7. Nelson & Napoleon edited by Margarette Lincoln
This catalogue to the exhibition at the National Maritime Museum, for the bicentenary of the Battle of Trafalgar, provides the colour illustrations that Lavery’s and Goodwin’s books lack. And it really comes alive as a result. Also, by contrasting Nelson and Napoleon, the respective heroes of the British and French, it gives many authoritative insights into both men.
8. Nelson: A Medical Casebook by Ann-Mary E Hills
Apart from his wounds, which are well if imperfectly known (he never wore an eyepatch over his sightless eye), Nelson suffered a range of illnesses. How a man should achieve such success and fame when he was hardly ever in perfect health is examined in this fascinating book.
9. The Story of Nelson’s Portsmouth by Jane Smith
Of all the places in Britain that are associated with Nelson, Portsmouth is probably the most evocative. Now home to his flagship, HMS Victory, the city has many other buildings and landmarks associated with him. This book tells the story of the Portsmouth that Nelson knew.
10. What’s Left of Nelson by Leo Marriott
Another book that does exactly what it claims – to present the varied monuments, landmarks and memorabilia that are associated with Nelson or were made to commemorate him. They are all here, from the ubiquitous Lord Nelson pub signs, to the admiral’s final resting place in St Paul’s Cathedral. This and Smith’s are great guidebooks to those holidays we’re supposed to take at home now.
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Full article and photo: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703808904575026021282314284.html
