Customer Reviews

For God and Glory: Lord Nelson and His Way of War

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I loved this book, even though nearly everything in it was new to me and I had to read it slowly to take it all in. Its about time a military expert explained to those of us who devour books on Nelson just how good, and why, Nelson was. Even today's military officers will find great relevance in the way Nelson approached war, says the author, and I agree. I'm buying this book for my nephew, a destroyer officer, because I think he'll get enormous value from Hayward's treatment of Nelson's leadership and command practices. If my nephew realises what Nelson did, that it's better to focus on those below you than those above you, he'll be a successful officer and make his subordinates work willingly for him.

Hayward's coverage of Nelson's abilities is balanced. While Hayward can't hide the fact that he admires him, and doesn't try to hide it, he points out carefully and in a fair way how weak Nelson was in some areas and why these weaknesses caused errors and disasters.

Hayward's approach is to write inter-related chapters that are essentially essays. He doesn't narrate in a chronological fashion like nearly every other writer on Nelson does. He critiques and analyses things, with an expertise in military matters that we haven't seen in Nelson books in recent years.

I applaud this book, which is attractive and has great maps, beautifull illustrations and a handy index.

I'm toting this dream of a book around my colleagues at the US Army War College in the hope that they will, like me, use this as a class text.

If books, like bourbon whiskey, were rated according to strength, "For God and Glory: Lord Nelson and his Way of War" would weigh in above 100 proof. It is not a huge book, like the competent new bio. by Edgar Vincent, but it's concentrated and potent. I do not mean that it is arcane or overly meticulous. On the contrary, Joel Hayward writes with striking clarity.

"For God and Glory" is better written and more ambitious than other recent works inspired by Nelson's great victories. It is an originally conceived and richly rewarding work, filled with profundity and felicitous expression, with many flourishes of prose that flow like poetry.

The chapter on leadership, command and management will be scanned or photocopied by students at every military, air and naval academy and used in essays and dissertations for years to come.

And no self-respecting enthusiast of Lord Nelson will be able to escape having to engage the theses put forward in Hayward's compelling and authoritative book. Agree or disagree with his evidence and arguments, but don't ignore them. They blaze a trail.

For many people, the words 'Nelson' and 'victory' have become synonymous. Nelson's victory at Trafalgar in 1805 allowed the Royal Navy to control the sea for the next century. London's most famous square -- Trafalgar Square with Nelson's Column -- was laid out in 1829 to 1841 to commemorate Nelson's victory at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. Dominating the square, atop a column that is 185 feet high is a 17 foot high statue of Nelson.

Countless books approach Nelson with religious fervor. This book allows us to consider Nelson in a far more useful and practical framework. In reality, this great, yet diminutive naval warrior stood less than 5 feet 6 inches tall. Joel Hayward gives us deep insights and lessons about any great leader's many strengths, weaknesses, defeats, stalemates, flaws, and victories. Hayward concludes that Nelson also had an abundance of two qualities worth emulation by every serving member of today's armed forces: initiative and moral courage. 'Moral courage -- the willingness to stand up for what you know to be right despite hierarchical or peer conformist pressures -- is also a most desirable trait.... The very traits that make initiative and moral courage possible and instinctive are seldom tolerated and often crushed in today's defense forces. More so now than even, for example, during World War II, when a few talented but unconventional officers still held command, defense forces have imposed a behavioral and character uniformity upon commanders that leaves little room for unusual or larger-than-life personalities....Our armed forces might do well to tolerate and even cultivate a little diversity and difference, throughout all levels, and to reduce their emphasis on regularity and conformity. Creative, profoundly religious, or eccentric personalities - even highly strung, passionate one's like Nelson's, Rommel's, and Patton's - have given frequent headaches to their superiors but also stunning victories and uplifting joy to their nations....Nelson matched his commitment to his nation with equal dedication to his navy; and that primarily meant his crews. He respected and obeyed his superiors (usually), but he loved his subordinates. He cared about them deeply and was unusually modern (in today's terms) in the attention he paid to their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. He instinctively understood the highest principle of leadership: accomplish the mission and take care of your people.'

'For God and Glory' is organized into six major themes/chapters:

CHAPTER 1. NELSON'S CONCEPTION OF HIS ENEMIES. Nelson's hatred of England's enemies inflamed his patriotism and when coupled with many of his positive traits - intuition, love, passion, tenacity, courage, and audacity - made him no better friend, no worse foe.

CHAPTER 2. THE ADMIRAL'S SPIRITUAL BELIEFS. For his three great loves, God, his country, and the navy, Nelson 'sacrificed blood, an eye, an arm, and finally his life.'

CHAPTER 3. COMMAND, LEADERSHIP, AND MANAGEMENT. "Command in war is a remarkably complex, almost indescribable, deeply human relationship between those who lead and those who follow in circumstances usually dangerous, chaotic, and frightening. Command in war requires a leader to do certain things never required of the most ambitious and competitive businessman or -woman: to be courageous and decisive in the face of mortal peril; to inspire subordinates to act with courage and aggression; to carry out the violence necessary to ensure victory; to provide restraints on that violence in order to meet decent standards of morality, justice, and legality; to assume direct responsibility for the lives and health of all involved."

CHAPTER 4. NELSON'S WARFIGHTING STYLE AND MANEUVER WARFARE.
Perhaps the book's most significant chapter as Hayward convincingly demonstrates how and why Nelson's style of "maneuver warfare" and leadership from the front is as effective in the 20th and 21st centuries as it was in the 18th and 19th centuries.

CHAPTER 5. NELSON AND WAR ON LAND. A genius at sea, Nelson repeatedly blundered in his efforts ashore. He never fully appreciated how battles on land are fought according to different principles and tactics on land. 'Nature's endowments to Nelson were strikingly similar to those given to the maneuverists Erwin Rommel and George S. Patton. It is no wonder, then, that as a sea officer Nelson stands with them among history's greatest warriors.'

CHAPTER 6. COALITION WARFARE. Successful 'globalization' depends on the quality of relationships and communications between leaders from different cultures and countries. Nelson's records and letters are rich with insights on successful and unsuccessful approaches to coalition operations.

The reviewer below says he doesn't want to be an iconoclast, but then says nothing much except that he doesn't agree with the author's interpretations or like the modern phrases and terms the author uses. I disagree with him, and note that all other reviewers do too. This is a rather unique book in that it actually has interpretations, not just the same old narrative. And it tries to explain Nelson in ways that modern warriors, who aren't used to old and archaic naval terminology, will understand. I found this book's arguments very strong, and although I cannot say I agree with everything, I found nothing advanced that was not based on very careful research. I think this is a must-have book on a naval genius.

This book is an instant classic! Nelson books appear almost every year, as do Napoleon books, but few of them say anything new. This book is the most original book on the world's most famous admiral to appear since, gosh, maybe the second world war.

Who has ever before analysed such themes as the impact of spirituality or religion on Nelson's war-making? Who has ever asked whether Nelson actually fought well when ashore? Who has asked whether Nelson made an effective coalition partner or leader? Who has, in recent decades anyway, asked whether Nelson is still RELEVANT to today's navies?

Joel Hayward has answered these and many other unique questions, and has written his book with such mastery of English that his eloquence and elegance make the book a genuine pleasure to read.

I know nothing about the author but I intend to see what else he has written and I'll buy it. He is a powerfully original thinker and has written the best and most analytical military book I have read aside from the masterly John Keegan himself.

This book has my highest recommendation, and then some!!

If you want to know what makes a commander effective then you'll be blown away by this fine book, which analyses Nelson with more insight and expertise than any other book written on him in decades. I found two typos, but aside from those, which will be fixed in future editions I'm sure, this work is without equal in Nelson, indeed, Napoleonic studies. Take note, friends: this book doesn't just tell the events in the standard way. It explains them thoroughly and is thus a deep and scholarly book. You have to read it carefully, and maybe twice, to get to grips with Nelson's complex character and startling career. But if you do, you'll get far more from this book than any other I can think of. For Nelson fans this is a must read. For Napoleonic readers this is a must read. For general military history readers this is a must read. Okay, for ANYONE wanting to read an excellent book this is a must read!

Students of Napoleonic warfare have always known that the study of Horatio Lord Nelson's life is a stimulating activity. Nelson was a true genius of war, and mainly because, as this book shows, he was an eccentric and very unorthodox character.

But the scarcity of insightful, informed and UP-TO-DATE analyses of his naval strategies, tactics, leadership, command and management has been very frustrating for those of us who believe that Nelson still has RELEVANCE for TODAY'S warriors.

A ceaseless flow of books essentially narrating Nelson's life without thorough analysis has become boring and adds to our frustrations.

Dr Hayward is the first to address our frustrations, and his book does so splendidly.

Hayward demonstrates through a highly unusual, interesting and effective thematic approach that Nelson rivals Napoleon as their era's "greatest champion" and that, even though sea warfare has changed considerably, a study of Nelson's art of war will teach, challenge, enrich and impress today's naval warriors and all other armed forces personnel.

Like in Hayward's ground-breaking STOPPED AT STALINGRAD, the author asks new questions and often presents highly original answers. Even if a few other Nelson experts will disagree with some conclusions, all will be stimulated to dig deeper themselves as a response to this brilliant and long-overdue book.

The author doesn't disparage the works of other Nelson scholars and writers. On the contrary, he acknowledges openly that his book is an attempt to repay the intellectual debt he owes them. He's gracious and not at all dogmatic even when pointing out where another scholar has apparently erred.

The writing is terrific. It is reflective, engaging, informative and fluent. I read each chapter (effectively separate but related, cutting-edge essays) in single sitting.

The book is also very attractive, with fine maps and illustrations.

If you want to read something new and original about naval warfare's greatest admiral, FOR GOD AND GLORY cannot be (NO! MUST NOT BE) overlooked. It is a lovely book and a great step forward in terms of what we know about Lord Nelson as a warrior.

I've read more about Napoleon than I have of Nelson, but I can't fault the way this author (Hayward) constructs his case that the admiral was every bit as good at waging war as his famous French counterpart. Nelson was unequalled as a commander, leader, manager, fighter. This book is cleverly set out as a series of essays that build upon each other as they explore and explain the mind and methods of this iconic giant of seapower. It does help if you know a bit about Nelson before you read this, but even if you don't you will be able to enjoy a truly first rate exposition of naval genius.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It is outstanding in every way.

This book is a well-written account of Nelson's wars and his principles which he handled his military assignments by. Hayward's analysis of wars imparts readers both thrills and a fair evaluation of the great admiral's merits and demerits. In addition to describing Nelson's war strategies,the book also gives concise explanations of historical events like the French revolution, America's independence and of how these events shaped Nelson's fate. The book underlines Nelson's strong belief in God that sympathized him with other religious nations like the Ottomans although they were muslims, not christians like himself. In his book, Hayward builds well on this critical trait of Nelson to explain his relentless fights with the French at that time. Even if the book contains some repititions, I feel that it is a good one to read on Nelson's leadership and sea-war strategies as well as on history.

This book caught me unawares. I bought it thinking it was a biography. It is not; at least not strictly. It is a series of intensely focused essays on aspects of Horatio Lord Nelson's naval career and the ways in which he mastered his profession so completely. Okay, now the warning is out of the way I can say that the book is extremely innovative and very solid and rewarding. It clearly aims to serve a useful purpose for CURRENT military and naval officers. They'll learn a huge amount about esprit de corps, morale, leadership, team-building, cultural tolerance -- all from Nelson's remarkable life. An unusual book, yes. A very valuable book too.