Horatio Nelson The background, strategies, tactics and battlefield experiences of the greatest commanders of history by Konstam, Angus [Osprey Publishing,2011]

Command #16

by Peter Dennis

Horatio Nelson The background, strategies, tactics and battlefield experiences of the greatest commanders of history by Konstam, Angus. Published by Osprey Publishing,2011, Paperback

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Military History, Biography

Unknown Binding

First published June 28, 2011

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.

Peter Dennis was born in 1950. Inspired by contemporary magazines such as Look and Learn he studied illustration at Liverpool Art College. Peter has since contributed to hundreds of books, predominantly on historical subjects. He is a keen wargamer and modelmaker. He is based in Nottinghamshire, UK.

Reviews

[Koit · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Osprey Command books are an interesting go-between of an actual biography and a brief article exploring a person. I find that Nelson comes through well here, but the author is also disinclined to challenge the Vice-Admiral's preeminence in the British pantheon of heroes--a feeling which perhaps stems from the author's naval history (which is mentioned in the book, hence full disclosure).

From the less good side: Nowhere is it mentioned how much the people preceding Nelson contributed to the building of the fleet which was used so effectively despite the author's acknowledgement that the great admiral himself was not particularly good with administrative matters.

The main purpose of these books is to give a brief and reasonably objective overview of the subject and this is done; the recommendations for further reading are therefore all the more useful. This book probably has very little to offer to people who have already read some of the newer biographies (such as Lambert) or the old classics (Mahan), but otherwise can be considered a good introduction.

[Wai Zin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very brief (too brief) narrative of Nelson's military achievements.
If you want more information other than that this book is not for you.
If you know nothing about Nelson and want a brief glimpse this may be a good start.
Anyway as usual for Angus Konstam and Osprey this is a good quality book.

3.5 stars

[Henry Kline · Rating 3 out of 5]

nice summary of his life

[Declan Waters · Rating 4 out of 5]

Osprey books do concentrate on the military impact and actions in their 'Command' series. This being the second one I have read, and provides information on Nelson not just limited to what most people know - his injuries, Trafalgar, and his death.

Another good and well written historical perspective with clear narative, and an easy to understand writing style.

The only issue I had was with the maps in the Kindle version being difficult to view as shown in 1/6ths of 1/2ths...!