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Nelson Navy and Nation
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Author:  Devenish [ Sun Oct 20, 2013 10:17 am ]
Post subject:  Nelson Navy and Nation

This book has been produced to accompany the 'Nelson, Navy and Nation', exhibition which opened on Trafalgar Day, 2013, and has the same title. The subtitle, 'The Royal Navy and the British People 1688-1815', gives the hint that both exhibition and book explore the relationship between the Royal Navy and how it was perceived, by the nation it served throughout the period.

Produced by Conway, it is hardbacked and has 240 pages including Index, author biographies, and chapter notes. It is also profusely illustrated with many pictures from the NMM collection and others, many of them being familiar, others perhaps not so well-known. £20 from the NMM (10% discount with membership), but can be bought more cheaply elswhere.

Edited by Quintin Colville and James Davey, Curators of Naval History at the National Maritime Museum, the volume is essentially a compilation of in-depth articles, covering various topics within the time-frame, from eleven contributors. Amongst the naval historians are Brian Lavery, writing on the Dockyards and Industry; Quintin Colville, on Life Afloat; and James Davey, on Mutiny and Insecurity. There are two chapters on Nelson: Nelson and Naval Warfare, by Andrew Lambert; and Nelson, Navy and National Identity, by Marianne Czisnik, which acknowledge his contribution to naval warfare and his place in it. Between the main chapters are short, interesting 'cameos' on various naval topics. The introduction is by N.A.M. Rodger.

As we know, Nelson was nothing if not a self-publicist, but I think he would certainly agree that his contribution was really only a part of the whole, valuable though it was, and he would certainly have recognised the contributions of Cornwallis and others in making it possible for his victories to come about.

This is a rivetting read, and once again illustrates that history can't effectively be taught in disconnected segments. Recommended.

Author:  Mira [ Sat Nov 30, 2013 9:46 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Nelson Navy and Nation

Thank you Kester. Thoroughly enjoyed your review. Definitely one for the Christmas stocking list.

Author:  Phil [ Fri Dec 13, 2013 5:49 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Nelson Navy and Nation

Thank you Kester for a concise and informative review. I too have added it to my Christmas wish list.

Phil

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