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Nelson and Emma #1
On a Making Tide
A chronicle of the fascinating early years of Horatio Nelson and Emma Lyon. Both determined to rise from obscurity, they set about making their ways through the world with corresponding recklessness and precocious ambition. Nelson enters the Royal Navy at the age of twelve and is made post captain at the age of twenty. Emma, luscious but penniless, cannily confronts her limited prospects to rise through the social ranks from teenaged bawd to noblemen's courtesan to celebrated artist's model. Rich in historical detail, this novel offers authentic sea action and a rare peek into London's demimonde, where the lives of a beautiful courtesan and Britain's greatest naval hero collide.
672 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2000
7 people are currently reading
107 people want to read
About the author
David Donachie
66 books63 followersaka Tom Connery, Johnny 'Two Combs' Howard, Jack Ludlow, Jack Cole.
David Donachie was born in Edinburgh in 1944. He has had a variety of jobs, including selling everything from business machines to soap. He has always had an abiding interest in the naval history of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, which he drew upon for the many novels he has set in that period. The author of a number of bestselling books, he lived in Deal with his wife, fellow A&B author Sarah Grazebrook.
David Donachie was born in Edinburgh in 1944. He has had a variety of jobs, including selling everything from business machines to soap. He has always had an abiding interest in the naval history of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, which he drew upon for the many novels he has set in that period. The author of a number of bestselling books, he lived in Deal with his wife, fellow A&B author Sarah Grazebrook.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
February 21, 2020
I recommend this book highly. A fascinating look into the life of Nelson, life on board the ships of the time, his love affair with Emma and an intimate insight into Emma's private life and feelings. To use the much clichéd comment - I couldn't put it down.
October 1, 2018
This is the first of a trilogy of semi-biographical novels about Horatio Nelson, naval hero of Great Britain, and Emma Lyons nee Hart who became his mistress.
The book starts with the young Emma being sent to a boarding school and a young Horatio becoming a midshipman in the Royal Navy, far apart and unaware of each other. As time passes, Horatio's career skyrockets, blasting from midshipman to Post Captain in 8 years, a blisteringly fast promotion rate even in a time of preferences and "influence" from powerful patrons.
Nelson is portrayed as unsure of himself, a bit odd and perhaps driven a bit too much by zeal and his religion but incredibly capable and fast learning. His lighter touch and more friendly approach to the job of officer in the Navy sets him apart from his contemporaries and he's not only poor but a bit of an oddball which makes social situations uncomfortable for him.
Emma meanwhile goes from problem to problem as her headstrong, rash behavior pushes her into a downward spiral, becoming eventually a prostitute in a high class brothel then the mistress of an infamous letcher. Eventually she joins, then rejoins a medical show where the scots Dr Graham demonstrates the alleged healing powers of electricity (little known or understood at the time), where she finally encounters Nelson.
Emma's attitude and actions are damaging to her because of her lack of considering consequences and the future, and her naivete about life and dreams of comfort and riches lead her into a lot of heartbreak, but she remains strong and bold through it all.
Nelson grows rapidly from a small and weak, but scrappy kid to a more focused young man who is often in over his head because of his rapid career growth but he always maintains his honor, zeal for his country, and religious ethical guidance.
Overall the book is well written and interesting, and both main characters are quite engaging. There is more sexual content than I enjoy, particularly as the violence of war and ship combat is largely glossed over while the sex is more specific and detailed than the story requires. Still I'm curious enough to want to read the rest of the series and see how their lives intertwine and see how Nelson grows as a legend.
The book starts with the young Emma being sent to a boarding school and a young Horatio becoming a midshipman in the Royal Navy, far apart and unaware of each other. As time passes, Horatio's career skyrockets, blasting from midshipman to Post Captain in 8 years, a blisteringly fast promotion rate even in a time of preferences and "influence" from powerful patrons.
Nelson is portrayed as unsure of himself, a bit odd and perhaps driven a bit too much by zeal and his religion but incredibly capable and fast learning. His lighter touch and more friendly approach to the job of officer in the Navy sets him apart from his contemporaries and he's not only poor but a bit of an oddball which makes social situations uncomfortable for him.
Emma meanwhile goes from problem to problem as her headstrong, rash behavior pushes her into a downward spiral, becoming eventually a prostitute in a high class brothel then the mistress of an infamous letcher. Eventually she joins, then rejoins a medical show where the scots Dr Graham demonstrates the alleged healing powers of electricity (little known or understood at the time), where she finally encounters Nelson.
Emma's attitude and actions are damaging to her because of her lack of considering consequences and the future, and her naivete about life and dreams of comfort and riches lead her into a lot of heartbreak, but she remains strong and bold through it all.
Nelson grows rapidly from a small and weak, but scrappy kid to a more focused young man who is often in over his head because of his rapid career growth but he always maintains his honor, zeal for his country, and religious ethical guidance.
Overall the book is well written and interesting, and both main characters are quite engaging. There is more sexual content than I enjoy, particularly as the violence of war and ship combat is largely glossed over while the sex is more specific and detailed than the story requires. Still I'm curious enough to want to read the rest of the series and see how their lives intertwine and see how Nelson grows as a legend.
July 22, 2019
The first of a trilogy about Lord Nelson and Lady Hamilton traces their beginnings and progresses to the moment when they first meet. Due to the larger volume of information available about Nelson those chapters seem fuller and more detailed than those of the London girl of the streets who works her way up to a more privileged state through judicious use of her charms.
May 4, 2020
This is the story about Admiral Nelson his travel experience and fight with Europe countries. I am amazed by the author’s plot and language he described the book based on real facts but added some fictional characters as well. I advice to read the book who likes read sea stories and historical naval fiction novels
February 20, 2018
Very enjoyable
August 1, 2021
Flabby writing
December 26, 2016
This is the first of a historical fiction trilogy series about Horatio Nelson and Emma Lyon and was the first naval type novel that I have read. It is filled with sea faring terms and language that make it feel authentic. The ship adventures varied and some were fairly uneventful. Since this is the first in the series, it is about the beginning of Horatio's career. Emma's life is written in alternating chapters but the first book is not about them as a couple at all. Thus I was a little disappointed and gave this three stars instead of four.
June 23, 2016
I've got a new favourite book genre after reading this and I don't know if it's just how good the author is but I've fallen in love with historical fiction. I loved every minute of "on a making tide" which covered from Nelson's childhood up to him becoming a captain and although there wasn't a massive amount of action the book was written with such warmth and passion that I was hooked from the start.
October 24, 2008
This book was a wonderful surprise - I had no expectations of it, but the character development was fascinating.
May 15, 2014
Brilliant book about a fascinating couple.
June 27, 2016
AN okayish book set int he turbulent times of the navy when Nelson joined and the lead up to when he met Emma
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews