Brian Lavery
Many books have been written about HMS VICTORY but none like this. It tells the story of the ship since her launch in May 1765 and contains surprises - she was almost wrecked on launch, that diplomacy conducted onboard her played a crucial role in provoking napoleon's invasion of Russia in 1812; and that Kaiser Wilhelm set WW1 in motion from a desk made from her timbers.
The book also, of course, tells the story of Horatio Nelson, who was born a few weeks before his most famous ship was ordered, and whose career parralled it in many ways. It does not ignore the Battle of Trafalgar and indeed offers new insights into the campaign that led up to it.
HMS VICTORY had many lives - flagship, fighting ship, prison ship, hospital ship, training ship, a floating courtroom, tourist attraction and national icon. It looks at her through many eyes, including Queen Victoria, admirals, midshipmen and ordinary seamen - even Beatrix Potter who visited as a girl.
From a master historian this is great reading.
| Coming Soon | No |
|---|---|
| Author(s) | Brian Lavery |
