By Brian Lavery, Naval Institute Press, Annapolis MD (2015) Reviewed by Mark Lardas Dozens of books have been written about HMS Victory. Why another one? Nelson’s Victory: 250 Years of War and Peace, by Brian Lavery, offers two very good reasons. The first is the author. If any historian could be described as the dean
By Donald A. Tortorice, Author House, Bloomington, IN (2014) Reviewed by John R. Satterfield, DBA I, Horatio is a fictional autobiography about Horatio Nelson, clearly a subject of note for those who care about naval history. Nelson’s titles were read out loud to an assemblage of mourners at his funeral at St. Paul’s Cathedral in
By Steve R. Dunn, Book Guild Publishing, Sussex, England, (2014) Reviewed by Capt. John A. Rodgaard USN (Ret.) What is cowardice? Can cowardice be reinterpreted as an act of reasoned restraint or self-preservation? Is cowardice situational, or is it a character trait? Does it possess a moral dimension? That is, “Can a brave man also
By Iain Ballantyne & Jonathan Eastland, Pen & Sword Maritime, South Yorkshire, UK, (2013) Reviewed by John R. Satterfield, DBA Few military leaders rise to iconic status and are worshipped by the nations they serve long after they’re gone. Few weapon systems utilized in their careers share the adulation of these heroes. Vice Admiral Horatio
Angus Konstam, Osprey Publishing, (2011), 63 pages. Reviewed by Rear Admiral William J. Holland, Jr., USN, (Ret.) Angus Konstam’s description of Nelson’s advancement easily identifies why he was protected by his seniors and promoted by the Admiralty. He fought and won! Nevertheless this biography is too short to fully describe Nelson’s very complex personality. The
