On a Making Tide

Nelson and Emma #1

by David Donachie

Horatio Nelson is our most famous military hero. His statue dominates the capital, he has adorned our currency, his last words have passed into folklore, and HMS Victory, his flagship at Trafalgar, is the centrepiece of our naval heritage. On a Making Tide and Taken at the Flood (volume 2) will tell the story of our greatest military genius and his long-running love affair with Emma Hamilton; a love that transgressed class, position and social convention and which threatened them both with ruin. Starting with Nelson’s arrival at Chatham aged 12 to join his first ship the Raisonable (moored next to his last, the Victory) and with Emma rejecting life as a domestic servant, On a Making Tide takes their story to 1798 and the battle of the Nile, the triumphant victory which secured Nelson’s fame. Following both his exceptional career and Emma’s spirited progress, it is a story of talent and character overcoming tradition and expectation; of a society on the cusp of the liberal 18th and conservative 19th centuries and the fate of two people caught in the middle of the change.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical, Nautical, War, Adventure

512 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

aka 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.

Reviews

[Leila · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Christopher Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Patrick SG · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Polivanova Yuliya · Rating 3 out of 5]

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

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoyable

[Julie Rolle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Flabby writing

[Laurie · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[John Cheeseman · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Shirley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a wonderful surprise - I had no expectations of it, but the character development was fascinating.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant book about a fascinating couple.

[Pauline Chamberlain · Rating 2 out of 5]

AN okayish book set int he turbulent times of the navy when Nelson joined and the lead up to when he met Emma