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Title: The Terror Before Trafalgar: Nelson, Napoleon, and the Secret War by Tom Pocock ISBN: 0-393-05776-3 Publisher: W.W. Norton & Company Pub. Date: April, 2003 Format: Hardcover Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $24.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.8 (5 reviews)
Rating: 3
Summary: Interesting History, Muddled
Comment: I was very excited when I heard of this books publication, as I felt it would give attention to a historical period that I think is sadly ignored. Noted historian Tom Pocock, in his new book, paints the picture of the "peaceful" years, the time period between about 1801-1804 when Great Britain and Napoleonic France suffered through an uneasy peace, separated by the channel. This time period is a very interesting few years, as it shares a lot of similar aspects with the US-USSR Cold War. Two very powerful nations, unable to grapple directly with each other, use every underhanded and dirty trick in the book to degrade the others influence, while still preparing for later all out war. It was a time of espionage, rebellion, intrigue, and new weapon designs. These factors make for great history, but I felt Pocock fails in regard to a truly monumental work.
By late 1801, it was clear to most that France and her emperor were firmly entrenched as masters of the continent. French armies dominated Italy, Austria, and most of Eastern Europe, while the old empires such as the Austria-Hungarian, pledged loyalty and peace to the Corsican general. England, with its small army, had no chance of dislodging the power of France. Many at home, interestingly, pushed for peace, both in admiration of Napoleon and his "Republican" ideals and their own deteriorating financial straits. The declared peace brought little relief however, as both sides stepped up their covert activities. Alliances were proposed, economic warfare often ensued, and the British secret service sought several ways to degrade the Emperor's regime.
At the same time, one of the few military figures to emerge heroically from the war, lived a relatively peaceful (but scandalous) life as a hero of the nation. Horatio Nelson was a wily naval hero who had badly beaten Napoleon at Egypt and knew how to make full use of Britain's superior position upon the sea. His days were spent usually on personal matters, but his date with destiny was rapidly approaching, and he did stay involved in the matters of state and the admiralty. His nemesis across the waves was also preparing for destiny, desperately trying to prepare a valid invasion fleet. Bonaparte knew that if he could get his troops across the 26 mile wide straight, he would easily crush the British. The hard part, of course, was getting there.
While I had initial excitement for this story, it was soon degraded by Pocock's style of writing it. Some parts that I feel had little actual impact on the historical record, or in anyone's interest, are harped on incessantly, to the detriment of the really fascinating events taking place. I want to hear of spies, of diplomatic trickery, not constant looks at Nelson's private life or which house his mistress should by. If I wanted that, I would turn to the thousands of Nelson biographies. Too often throughout his book, Pocock gets hung up on the wide range of knowledge he's decided to include, some of which are just annoying accessories to the main story. Still, the book was fairly entertaining and educational, it is just some of the writing is tepid and uninteresting. In the hands of a better writer, I felt this story could have been something really special.
Rating: 3
Summary: Terror Before Trafalgar
Comment: Terror Before Trafalgar is a very interesting book. The author, Tom Pocock, is an expert on the Nelson Era, with more than twelve other books to his credit. This one is about the situations in England and France before the pivotal naval battle of Trafalgar in 1805. Much description is given to Nelson and Napoleon, but a host of other characters are described, and the conditions in both countries and of their military forces on land and sea are vividly described. Towards the end, before the great battle, the reader actually wonders if the French will successfully invade England. The build up and the writing are that good. Sometimes it tends to wander, but it basically stays on course. This is a great book about the Nelson Era.
Rating: 5
Summary: Excellent and informative.
Comment: I respectfully suggest that the previous reviewer may be a little hard on Tom Pocock, who is anything but a "lazy" scholar. He is prolific, industrious and original.
Not all books have to be totally original in every paragraph of every page. A book that contains SOME new interpretations, insights and information is still a great accomplishment. Pocock's book falls into this category. It does contain a lot of material already in the "public domain" (a strange phrase for knowledge, anyway), but it also contains some gently presented but nonetheless invaluable insights and information. I learned much from this book, and I'm a scholar!
The book is meticulously researched, carefully arranged, sensibly and persuasively argued and Pocock-ishly written (in other words, elegantly). It is broad in its sweep of topics, but not in the least disjointed. All topics relate and flow together to form a colourful and richly helpful portrayal of a perilous period. I congratulate Mr Pocock, who has inspired me during my own academic journey. With this book he continues to do so.
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Title: Nelson: Love & Fame by Edgar Vincent ISBN: 0300097972 Publisher: Yale Univ Pr Pub. Date: May, 2003 List Price(USD): $35.00 |
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Title: John Paul Jones : Sailor, Hero, Father of the American Navy by Evan Thomas ISBN: 0743205839 Publisher: Simon & Schuster Pub. Date: 14 May, 2003 List Price(USD): $26.95 |
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Title: For God and Glory: Lord Nelson and His Way of War by Joel S. A. Hayward ISBN: 1591143519 Publisher: United States Naval Inst. Pub. Date: May, 2003 List Price(USD): $32.95 |
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Title: Castles of Steel: Britain, Germany, and the Winning of the Great War at Sea by Robert K. Massie ISBN: 0679456716 Publisher: Random House Pub. Date: 28 October, 2003 List Price(USD): $35.00 |
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Title: Nelson in the Caribbean: The Hero Emerges, 1784-1787 by Joseph F. Callo, Stephen Howarth ISBN: 1557502064 Publisher: United States Naval Inst. Pub. Date: November, 2002 List Price(USD): $34.95 |
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