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New biography of Edward Pellew
http://www.nelsonandhisworld.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1438
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Author:  Tony [ Tue Jul 31, 2012 10:15 am ]
Post subject:  New biography of Edward Pellew

Another new book to look forward to, publication date 6 September: Commander by Stephen Taylor - a biography of Edward Pellew: http://www.faber.co.uk/work/commander/9780571277117/

Author:  Devenish [ Tue Jul 31, 2012 11:06 am ]
Post subject:  Re: New biography of Edward Pellew

Tony,

This looks to be a good read, about one of the best officer's in the navy during Nelson's time.

I thought his attributes and hands on approach, which were similar to Nelson's, were brought out very well in the Hornblower mini series – where of course he was ably played by Robert Lindsay.

Author:  Starhawk [ Wed Aug 01, 2012 1:00 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: New biography of Edward Pellew

Devenish wrote:
I thought his attributes and hands on approach, which were similar to Nelson's, were brought out very well in the Hornblower mini series – where of course he was ably played by Robert Lindsay.

I thought I recognised the name from somewhere!

Author:  Phil [ Thu Aug 30, 2012 9:11 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: New biography of Edward Pellew

There is an article by Stephen Taylor about this book in last Sundays (26th Aug) Mail on Sunday Review section.

Is anyone familiar with his work? I haven't come across his books before. From his publishers website it appears he has written mainly on African subjects.

Phil

Author:  tycho [ Fri Aug 31, 2012 8:05 am ]
Post subject:  Re: New biography of Edward Pellew

I've only just got round to reading this thread and was intrigued to note that the blurb in the link Tony gave notes that Pellew is thought to be the model for Jack Aubrey in Patrick O'Brian's sequence of novels.

Pellew had an equally daring brother, Israel Pellew, who also had a reputation as a dreadful bully, I recall, though a quick glance at his wiki entry reveals no mention of this unfortunate trait.

Author:  Devenish [ Fri Aug 31, 2012 9:32 am ]
Post subject:  Re: New biography of Edward Pellew

Perhaps though, that was a boyhood trait and he grew out of it? The brothers are also sometimes confused, that is if Israel is known of at all.

When at Trafalgar, it was left to the Captain Atcherly of the Conqueror's marines (ie. Israel Pellew's ship) to accept the surrender of Villeneueve on board the Bucentaure, the French Admiral is said to have remarked that he was honoured to give up his sword to the renowned Sir Edward Pellew. On his being told that it was to Captain Israel Pellew that he had surrendered, the Admiral exclaimed, 'His brother? What, there are two of them? Helas!'

Author:  Tony [ Fri Aug 31, 2012 10:33 am ]
Post subject:  Re: New biography of Edward Pellew

Telegraph review here: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/book ... eview.html
Quote:
...This is not a biography in the modern, tell-all sense, but an entertaining, swashbuckling adventure, filled to the brim with derring-do...

Author:  Matrim [ Sat Sep 01, 2012 9:51 am ]
Post subject:  Re: New biography of Edward Pellew

Quote:
that the blurb in the link Tony gave notes that Pellew is thought to be the model for Jack Aubrey in Patrick O'Brian's sequence of novels.


Publishers rubbish. Every book sold as a biography uses such junk to sell books to people who know nothing and then spread it. To be honest I am usually fighting against hordes of people using the far more realistic 'Cochrane was the model'.

In Aubrey's case O'Brian built him from a wide range of officers as some examples Cochrane has the Speedy/Court Case/ Spanish Adventure , Rowley (I think) of the Boadicea has his entire Mauritius campaign including ship names copied, Riou has his bump into an ice berg followed by half the crew buggering off before he managed to get the ship to Australia and so on and so forth and these are just the obvious 'big' copies. When you read James you find yourself saying things like - oh I see where O'Brian got that from..

Joss

Author:  tycho [ Tue Sep 04, 2012 9:58 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: New biography of Edward Pellew

Here is a very favourable review of the book. It is not a frank, 'tell-all' account of Exmouth's life, but an uncritical celebration of a larger-than-life character. It's on my reading list!

http://tinyurl.com/92avwun

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