'Well now', as the authors John A Davis and Giovanni Capuano say so very modestly at the end of this fascinating and illuminating book.
Well now, as we enter the final chapter, we are invited to reconsider events in the Bay of Naples in the summer of 1799, by the authors' introduction of a previously unknown/unpublished document, unearthed at the National Archives in London:
Quote:
'The document can shed new light on the events that took place between the Treaty of the 19th June 1799 and the trick that Lord Nelson, Sir William and Lady Hamilton supposedly played to persuade the Jacobins to evacuate the castle of St. Elmo.'
Surely another understatement? From here on things become very interesting indeed. Explosive might be a better word to relate the book's concluding evidence on the parts played by the Sicilian Royal family, the British 'Tria Juncta in Uno' and Cardinal Ruffo at one of the most controversial, contentious and hotly debated moments of Nelson's career.
It would be really unfair to a new publication to add too much more about the content, commentary and conclusions of 'The Hamilton Letters.' But for anyone interested in Nelson's Neapolitan odyssey, and for those who appreciate a surprising punchline after a hugely informative and thoroughly engrossing read, this book should deliver on both counts.
The opportunity to explore so many of Sir William Hamilton's home dispatches of the time, gathered together in one place and presented chronologically, whilst it doesn't change the perception of the man, adds vocabulary and colour, together with vivid detail and a clear appreciation of the pervading mood in a period large with events.
It's notable how often Sir William refers to this or that 'interesting moment' throughout the book. For the main players - particularly for Sir William - the period covered by 'The Hamilton Letters' is a stark reminder of the old Chinese curse 'May you live in interesting times.'
A super resource and lots of facts to dip into, with or without the revelations of the final chapter. This will easily stand the test of second, third and subsequent readings. Well worth the £19.95 discounted price from Amazon books.