The Nelson Encyclopaedia
Book Review
reviewed by Paul Chamberlain, UK
 |
The Nelson Encyclopaedia
Every so often a book is published that is a classic work and a highly recommended purchase. The Nelson Encyclopaedia is such a book. Written by a leading expert on Nelson, it is not simply another book on the famous Admiral, but a study using the most recent research material, much of which has only lately come to light. It has its origins in the research performed for the Royal Naval Museum exhibition Horatio Nelson: The Hero and The Man that opened in 1999. The Nelson Encyclopaedia throws new light on all aspects of Nelson's career using newly discovered primary source material in the form of unpublished letters, or previously published material that has, in the past, been heavily edited or indeed, censored. It includes recent new studies on the history of the Royal Navy. The introduction to the book relates the Nelson story, which sets the scene based upon modern analysis and changing interpretations of Nel- son and the people closely involved with him, such as the Hamiltons. Nelson's health, both mental and physical, is examined in the light of modern medical scrutiny. The Encyclopaedia section proper covers the subject alphabetically, from Abbott, Lemuel (a portrait painter) through to Wounds, Nelson's. The emphasis of each entry is Nelson and his link to the subject, be it a ship he served on or one of the personalities of the age with whom he had a relationship, in a professional capacity or as a friend (or both). As such, it is a very good collection of short biographies of the people involved with the Nelson story. Colin has examined the famous stories involving Nelson, such as The Blind Eye, when he famously put a telescope to his blind eye to avoid seeing the signal to discontinue the fight at the battle of Copenhagen in 1801. All versions of stories such as this are related and discussed. Included throughout are black and white and colour illustrations, each of which has an accompanying comment and/or analysis. The Nelson Encyclopaedia is a superb addition to the Nelson story and an essential addition to any library on the subject. Book Reviews Naval Special
Nelson's Ships: A History of the Vessels in Which He Served 1771-1805 The Nelson Encyclopaedia With The Utmost Possible Dispatch: Poems of Nelson's Navy Nelson's Battles Sea Life in Nelson's Time Back to Table of Contents -- First Empire # 74 Back to First Empire List of Issues Back to MagWeb Master Magazine List © Copyright 2004 by First Empire. This article appears in MagWeb.com (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other articles from military history and related magazines are available at http://www.magweb.com |
