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Trafalgar The Nelson Touch
The battle of Trafalgar decided a nation's fate, and this fascinating account tells the story of that crucial confrontation as it has never been told before. Many people know the facts about Nelson's death, but far less of the battle in which he a single afternoon's fighting that forever ended Napoleon's hope of invading England. With Napoleon's failure, the British navy reigned supreme on the high seas-a supremacy that lasted until the age of air power. David Howard, who served as a war correspondent during the battle of Dunkirk and won awards for his service as a secret agent during that war, writes with great understanding about fighting amidst the perils of the sea.
Hardcover
First published January 1, 1969
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319 people want to read
About the author
David Howarth
103 books90 followersDavid Armine Howarth (1912 - 1991) was a British historian and author. After graduating from Cambridge University, he was a radio war correspondent for BBC at the start of the Second World War, joining the Navy after the fall of France. He rose to the rank of lieutenant commander and spent four yeas in the Shetland Islands, becoming second in command of the Shetland Naval base. He was involved in the Special Operations Executive (SOE), including the Shetland Bus, an SOE operation manned by Norwegians running a clandestine route between Shetland and Norway, which utilized fishing boats with crews of Norwegian volunteers to land agents and arms in occupied Norway. For his contributions to espionage operations against the German occupation of Norway, he received King Haakon VII's Cross of Liberty. The King also made Howarth a Chevalier First Class of the Order of St Olav.
After the War he designed and built boats before turning to writing full time. He wrote an account of the Shetland Bus operation, as well as many other books of history, bringing to his many of his books an immense practical knowledge of ships and the sea.
David Howarth died in 1991. At his request, his ashes were scattered over the waters of Lunna Voe, Shetland, near Lunna House, the first base of the Shetland Bus operation.
After the War he designed and built boats before turning to writing full time. He wrote an account of the Shetland Bus operation, as well as many other books of history, bringing to his many of his books an immense practical knowledge of ships and the sea.
David Howarth died in 1991. At his request, his ashes were scattered over the waters of Lunna Voe, Shetland, near Lunna House, the first base of the Shetland Bus operation.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
February 10, 2022
An excellent resource. The writing itself was so clear that even complicated subject matter was clearly explained. Furthermore, the book does not assume that the readers have any familiarity with this battle, or with the admirals involved, or with the basic history of sailing or the mechanics thereof. Consequently, everything relevant is explained. Despite this, the book never feels as though it condescends or oversimplifies, nor does it get so bogged down as to become boring.
As for the information itself, this book offers a clear account of the battle, context for its importance in the greater conflict between England and France, and background information on many of the officers involved. Maps chart the position of the different ships at particular times in the battle. Several illustrations add to the charm of the people (and ships). All in all, a remarkable account.
As for the information itself, this book offers a clear account of the battle, context for its importance in the greater conflict between England and France, and background information on many of the officers involved. Maps chart the position of the different ships at particular times in the battle. Several illustrations add to the charm of the people (and ships). All in all, a remarkable account.
December 28, 2024
This is the second book I've read about the sea battle of Trafalgar, and I thoroughly enjoyed it due to my fascination with the large sailing ships of old. David Howarth has a gift of recounting historical events without going into so much detail that he loses all but the most devoted of readers. This 248-page edition, loaded with illustrations and maps, is an easy and engaging read for those who love stories of the sea.
February 5, 2018
I've read several histories of the battle of Trafalgar Howarth's book was the most interesting and the clearest chronologically. In addition to filling out the background on Nelson and the necessity of the battle from both French/Spanish and British sides, the author described the historic significance of the battle. It includes diagrams of the locations of vessels in the two fleets as the fight progresses. All in all an excellent account and very well written. Highly recommended.
October 23, 2011
This was a very well written book on the actual day of the battle of Trafalgar. It spoke of the winning strategy of Nelson and his fellow captains, the horrors on the ships during the fight and the mistakes, lack of training / preparation and simple fear of failure that lead the combined French and Spanish fleet to failure. All books on this Genre are commented about pro-British writing but how can the author of these books help doing so when it was such a one sided battle? Even though I would recommend the books written by Adam Nicolson and Sam Willis over this one, this story is definitely worth the read. It is quick, well written and does not get the reader bogged down with technical naval jargon. It allows new and old readers to enjoy such a fascinating part of history and I hope new readers are encouraged to delve deeper into the era, what led to this battle, how it linked to Wellington's land based fight in India, Spain and ultimately France, what the political situation was as well as the failing health of the British King.
January 28, 2015
This book is a must for those interested in all aspects of naval life in the early 1800's. The background to Trafalgar is informative and sets the context for this epic sea battle. Nelson the man is much better understood through this reading this book, along with his contemporaries, opponents and personal life. A thoroughly enjoyable book.
August 4, 2011
A fantastic history book which provides excellent information, it can be read almost like a novel. Brilliant and informative.
August 8, 2022
Wow, what a story!
The age of sail - when sail was the main or only method of traversing the high seas - grows ever more romantic as it recedes further into history. David Howarth, whose superb ‘Waterloo, A Near Run Thing’, is the kind of book to inspire a lifelong passion for Napoleonic history, proves just as adept at bringing the naval war of this now distant epoch to vivid and colourful life, in this excellent slim but compelling volume on Nelson's memorable victory at Trafalgar. This is perhaps not entirely surprisingly, as Howarth was himself a naval officer, helping run the famous 'Shetland Bus' during WWII.
The sad fates of the two opposing commanders, Britain's heroic and much admired Nelson, and France's tragic and much maligned Villeneuve, illustrate very well how real history sometimes combines both mythic grandeur and epic tragedy. Nelson is, perhaps, as close as we can come in Britain to having a man as charismatic and effective in leadership as Napoleon. Wellington was of course effective and popular, but he didn't have the same public charisma as either Napoleon or Nelson. But where Nelson excelled in this watery world, Napoleon, usually so prodigiously capable, appears at his least able when it comes to maritime matters.
Of course, Nelson's part in this story is exciting and compelling in itself, and has often been treated in various media. But Howarth skilfully weaves this most famous strand of this famous and many threaded story together with numerous others, including Villeneuve's, and those of many other senior figures of all three nations, British French and Spanish. He also describes the navies themselves, and the contexts they fought in, even imparting sketchy views of the lower ranks (about whom, at the time Howarth was writing - and perhaps still? - very little was known).
The whole is superbly put together, flowing very smoothly, moving the happy reader along much like a favourable wind in one's sails! Howarth skilfully builds his narrative, with the gentle yet unstoppable inevitability of an ocean swell, towards the longest chapter, The Battle, which describes a messy and confusing naval action with impressive simplicity and clarity. This is so well done that once I reached this section I found it extremely hard to put the book down. Indeed, as near as was possible, I read straight through to the end. It was a moving and exhilarating read.
For victors and vanquished alike, far from a quick and peaceful cessation of travails, after the confusion and intensity of this most famous of naval battles - the metaphorical storm, if you like - came the literal storm. This week-long maritime hurricane was, according to those that survived it, even more challenging than the battle itself. Howarth describes this superbly too, ultimately following the story beyond this to the funeral of Nelson and the rather shady and politically convenient demise of Villeneuve, during his return from British captivity.
The latter left no issue to suffer any subsequent ignominy. Nelson, although married, is famed for his relationship with his beloved mistress, Emma Hamilton, by whom he had a daughter named Horatia. Their fate - only very vaguely alluded to in this brief narrative - balances the scales of tragedy somewhat, across the channel.
The sacrifices of this savage naval battle are thrown into yet starker relief due to the fact that even before Nelson (and so many other mariners of numerous nationalities) made the ultimate sacrifice, Napoleon had turned away from the cross-channel invasion project based at Boulogne, learning of the naval disaster as he trounced his foes on the road that lead to Austerlitz.
Like Howarth's book on Waterloo this is a fabulous read, and one that could easily seed a lifelong passion for warfare in the age of sail. It's great that HMS Victory has been preserved. Having read this I must go and see her for myself! As a result of reading this wonderful book I also want to read further in this area: I have several appropriate titles lined up. Just got to find the time to read 'em!
The old World Books edition that I bought, a 1970 reprint of the 1969 Collins 1st edition, is richly illustrated, with plenty of images - including portraits of most of the senior commanders, various naval scenes, some of the battle, some more general (mostly in black and white, with a few double page spreads in full colour) - and even some simple but helpful maps of the unfolding action.
The one glaring omission is a glossary of nautical/naval terminology. For us landlubbers who don't know our port from our starboard, this would've been a most useful and obvious thing to include. Despite this I'm giving this five stars: there will doubtless be more thorough and detailed books on this subject. But I doubt there will be many that are more readable or exciting.
The age of sail - when sail was the main or only method of traversing the high seas - grows ever more romantic as it recedes further into history. David Howarth, whose superb ‘Waterloo, A Near Run Thing’, is the kind of book to inspire a lifelong passion for Napoleonic history, proves just as adept at bringing the naval war of this now distant epoch to vivid and colourful life, in this excellent slim but compelling volume on Nelson's memorable victory at Trafalgar. This is perhaps not entirely surprisingly, as Howarth was himself a naval officer, helping run the famous 'Shetland Bus' during WWII.
The sad fates of the two opposing commanders, Britain's heroic and much admired Nelson, and France's tragic and much maligned Villeneuve, illustrate very well how real history sometimes combines both mythic grandeur and epic tragedy. Nelson is, perhaps, as close as we can come in Britain to having a man as charismatic and effective in leadership as Napoleon. Wellington was of course effective and popular, but he didn't have the same public charisma as either Napoleon or Nelson. But where Nelson excelled in this watery world, Napoleon, usually so prodigiously capable, appears at his least able when it comes to maritime matters.
Of course, Nelson's part in this story is exciting and compelling in itself, and has often been treated in various media. But Howarth skilfully weaves this most famous strand of this famous and many threaded story together with numerous others, including Villeneuve's, and those of many other senior figures of all three nations, British French and Spanish. He also describes the navies themselves, and the contexts they fought in, even imparting sketchy views of the lower ranks (about whom, at the time Howarth was writing - and perhaps still? - very little was known).
The whole is superbly put together, flowing very smoothly, moving the happy reader along much like a favourable wind in one's sails! Howarth skilfully builds his narrative, with the gentle yet unstoppable inevitability of an ocean swell, towards the longest chapter, The Battle, which describes a messy and confusing naval action with impressive simplicity and clarity. This is so well done that once I reached this section I found it extremely hard to put the book down. Indeed, as near as was possible, I read straight through to the end. It was a moving and exhilarating read.
For victors and vanquished alike, far from a quick and peaceful cessation of travails, after the confusion and intensity of this most famous of naval battles - the metaphorical storm, if you like - came the literal storm. This week-long maritime hurricane was, according to those that survived it, even more challenging than the battle itself. Howarth describes this superbly too, ultimately following the story beyond this to the funeral of Nelson and the rather shady and politically convenient demise of Villeneuve, during his return from British captivity.
The latter left no issue to suffer any subsequent ignominy. Nelson, although married, is famed for his relationship with his beloved mistress, Emma Hamilton, by whom he had a daughter named Horatia. Their fate - only very vaguely alluded to in this brief narrative - balances the scales of tragedy somewhat, across the channel.
The sacrifices of this savage naval battle are thrown into yet starker relief due to the fact that even before Nelson (and so many other mariners of numerous nationalities) made the ultimate sacrifice, Napoleon had turned away from the cross-channel invasion project based at Boulogne, learning of the naval disaster as he trounced his foes on the road that lead to Austerlitz.
Like Howarth's book on Waterloo this is a fabulous read, and one that could easily seed a lifelong passion for warfare in the age of sail. It's great that HMS Victory has been preserved. Having read this I must go and see her for myself! As a result of reading this wonderful book I also want to read further in this area: I have several appropriate titles lined up. Just got to find the time to read 'em!
The old World Books edition that I bought, a 1970 reprint of the 1969 Collins 1st edition, is richly illustrated, with plenty of images - including portraits of most of the senior commanders, various naval scenes, some of the battle, some more general (mostly in black and white, with a few double page spreads in full colour) - and even some simple but helpful maps of the unfolding action.
The one glaring omission is a glossary of nautical/naval terminology. For us landlubbers who don't know our port from our starboard, this would've been a most useful and obvious thing to include. Despite this I'm giving this five stars: there will doubtless be more thorough and detailed books on this subject. But I doubt there will be many that are more readable or exciting.
June 16, 2025
A detailed description of the Battle of Trafalgar. Spoiler! The British win. Howarth covers the leadup to the battle and discusses the men involved. Which reveals that, for many reasons, it was a battle that should never have been fought. The French would have been better served to just stay sitting in the port of Cadiz for another two years and keep the entire British fleet busy watching them do nothing. As it was, this Great Battle turns out to be much like the Great Battle against the Spanish Armada. The French ships were under provisioned, in disrepair, with untrained crews, disunited leadership, half of them not even French so they were not much dedicated to the cause, all led by a land based Emperor who had little understanding of the sea. And the British had Nelson, who was not only an innovative genius but absolutely worships by the entire fleet.
Howarth provides detailed descriptions of the fleet movements during the battle, much helped in this edition by the addition of diagrams. As usual he provides personal details of individuals to give the whole thing the human touch. This is a book about the battle so the little biographies are not too in depth but give enough information to add to the narrative. Part of the Great Battles Series, highly recommended.
Howarth provides detailed descriptions of the fleet movements during the battle, much helped in this edition by the addition of diagrams. As usual he provides personal details of individuals to give the whole thing the human touch. This is a book about the battle so the little biographies are not too in depth but give enough information to add to the narrative. Part of the Great Battles Series, highly recommended.
October 4, 2021
This is a very readable explanation of the titanic naval battle in 1805 that gave the British domination of the ocean waves for another hundred plus years. It was surprising to me to read that the victory was very one-sided. The British really dominated the action that day. The French and Spanish navies only risked leaving their blockaded port of Cadiz Spain at the insistence of France’s Emperor Napoleon. He wanted his navies to win a victory over the British navy and then secure an area of the English Channel so his ground forces could invade England. The French admirals knew this was stretch at best, but tried anyway. They suffered a humiliating defeat. The author gives the details behind the superior gunnery skills and seamanship skills of the Brits which made the result of the naval clash almost inevitable. Another unknown aspect of this battle was the violent storms that descended upon the victorious British fleet in the days immediately following the battle. The author covers this aspect of the events at Trafalgar as well as the battle itself.
January 23, 2021
Very informative and well written book. You forget at times you are reading a historical account and reads more like the prose of a fiction story. The named figures are fleshed out with their attributes and failings well described, to give a real idea of those in the battle.
The touches of humour and personal stories really add to the enjoyableness of this book.
Would of been better to include more maps or regular maps, but a small nit pick.
Definite must read for any one interest in this either or the golden age of sailing.
The touches of humour and personal stories really add to the enjoyableness of this book.
Would of been better to include more maps or regular maps, but a small nit pick.
Definite must read for any one interest in this either or the golden age of sailing.
July 8, 2019
David Howarth does a magnificent job at showing us the vivid battle scenes at Trafalgar. Not knowing anything about the battle before hand, I had a clear and precise view of the event. While this book isn’t as good as his book on Waterloo, it is yet a solid historical piece that is a must-read for history enthusiasts.
June 8, 2022
A wonderful historical piece that nicely accompanied my recently read Patrick O’Brian fiction series. Beautifully illustrated with drawings, battle charts and excellent paintings of ships at war on the high seas.The author’s style keeps the pace moving even as he explains many technical details of the Napoleonic war by sea.
October 5, 2022
Howarth is concise, clear prose stylist with a sympathetic eye and a distaste for anachronism - especially of the progressive triumphalist kind. This book is an excellent introduction to the age of Wooden Ships and Iron Men by way of a famous battle and a famous man.
July 7, 2019
Just fantastic. Right up my alley. As much as I love paintings of ships of war I enjoy hearing non fiction
November 23, 2025
Excellent account of one of the greatest battles in the age of sail. An easy read and packed with images that bring the history to life. R.I.P. Admiral Nelson.
December 26, 2015
An interesting account of the naval battle of Trafalgar and the demise of Lord Nelson. The naval battle itself seemed to bear a great deal of resemblance to Roman sea battles involving deliberate ramming of vessels. Cannon fire at point blank range seemed to happen often. The aftermath of the event when so many ships of both sides were badly damaged or sunk by a week long storm was another grim and dramatic event. The author goes out of his way to almost canonize Nelson, but makes up for it with detailed and fascinating descriptions of the sailing vessels and their fates. Illustrations throughout the book of contemporary paintings add interest.
March 18, 2009
Worth the read to understand that era in naval history. The book touches upon Nelson's personal life, but more so Nelson's admiration of his shipmates in the Royal Navy fleet, and the impact and aftermath of his demise after the Battle of Trafalgar. The details and placement of the ships throughout the battle is necessarily dry and slows the read a bit, but it is brings with it the understanding of how the fleet was devastated by storm after the battle. For fans of the Patrick O'Brian series, this book is most helpful for context and understanding.
November 7, 2011
An invaluable source book for the naval history lover, this first hand account compiled from letters, diaries and logbooks makes fascinating reading and brings home to the reader the spirit of the men and their lives in England's Wooden Walls. David Howarth has done a magnificent job in bringing it all together and I have now read and reread parts of the book several times.
While it may not be to everyone's taste, it certainly brings to life the times and the people. Even the French and the Spanish have their say. I highly commend it to anyone interested in the histróry of this period.
While it may not be to everyone's taste, it certainly brings to life the times and the people. Even the French and the Spanish have their say. I highly commend it to anyone interested in the histróry of this period.
December 12, 2008
excellent book about a man i never remember hearing about as a school boy in 50s England...
April 19, 2020
My second time through this was better than the first.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews