Trafalgar [Audiobook] [Audio CD]

Tim Clayton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 4, 2005

Two hundred years ago, Napoleon Bonaparte dominated Europe and threatened Britain with invasion. Against him stood the Royal Navy and the already legendary Admiral Horatio Nelson. On 21 October 1805, a massive naval battle off the coast of Spain decided mastery of the seas. Then, over the following days and nights, the battleships and their exhausted crews endured a gale of awesome fury. As Captain Charles Tyler wrote to his wife Margaret, 'the wind blew a perfect storm'. The authors of the bestselling "Finest Hour" tell this story not only through the diaries, letters and memoirs of the men who wrestled with the enemy and the elements, but also through the eyes of their wives and children. Whether you are already familiar with this period of history or are coming to it for the first time, "Trafalgar" is a book that will enthral as it illuminates an event whose repercussions still echo today.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'Excellent...comprehensively researched, vividly written and judiciously argued. Wonderfully detailed pen portraits...Much new material from French and Spanish sources gives a rounded picture...and it is this perspective from both sides of the battle that makes [it] so compelling.' -- Saul David, Daily Telegraph 'A landmark book' -- Observer

About the Author

Tim Clayton is a specialist in eighteenth-century history. Phil Craig is an award-wnning producer of historical television documentaries. The pair have collaborated on two acclaimed books, the bestselling FINEST HOUR, and END OF THE BEGINNING.

Product Details

• Audio CD
• Publisher: Hodder Audio (July 4, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1840329580
• ISBN-13: 978-1840329582
• Product Dimensions: 5.4 x 5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,752,903 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best So Far, September 17, 2005

By 

James D Cobb (Madison, WI USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Trafalgar: The Men, the Battle, the Storm (Paperback)

I've read many books on Trafalgar. This one stands out for its clarity. The dangers the first RN ships to break the line were in are highlighted while the Allied re-taking of some prizes is told more clearly than I've seen before. The author's handling of Collingwood is very evenhanded.

4.0 out of 5 stars Good read, August 6, 2008

By 

J. Lucas ""John"" (American in London) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Trafalgar: The Men, the Battle, the Storm (Paperback)

Unlike the previous reviewer, this was my first read on the battle of Trafalgar. I found the description of the ships and the battle very detailed and could follow. I did however, have trouble following the events after the battle, particularly the storm. It would have been more helpful if the aurthors would have used more maps to show the positions of the various ships at various points. Although the events of the storm quite dramatic, the book seemed to lose its edge after the battle. Overall a good read and worth picking up.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good book but better ones are out there., December 14, 2006

By 

Lehigh History Student (Bethlehem, PA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Trafalgar: The Men, the Battle, the Storm (Paperback)

There are several accounts on Trafalgar and this is one that I would put in the middle. It cover the basics of the battle and the people who fought in it and hits on all of the salient points. The storm is covered in the best detail of any book which is why this one is worth some attention. Overall though the book is very slow to get through and not as well written as others. The information is good but it does not add anything really new to the debate that is already ongoing. Overall if you are starting out on Trafalgar I would find another book but if you are looking for a decent refresher on the subject this will work.