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Horatio Nelson
A biography of the legendary British naval hero includes newly discovered details concerning Nelson's childhood and private life, including his adventures in the Arctic and the Nicaraguan jungle
367 pages, Hardcover
First published December 27, 1987
42 people are currently reading
139 people want to read
About the author
Tom Pocock
45 books4 followersTom Pocock was the author of 18 books (and editor of two more), mostly biographies but including two about his experiences as a newspaper war correspondent.
Born in London in 1925 - the son of the novelist and educationist Guy Pocock - he was educated at Westminster School and Cheltenham College, joining the Royal Navy in 1943. He was at sea during the invasion of Normandy and, having suffered from ill-health, returned to civilian life and in 1945 became a war correspondent at the age of 19, the youngest of the Second World War.
After four years wth the Hulton Press current affairs magazine group, he moved to the Daily Mail as feature-writer and then Naval Correspondent, becoming Naval Correspondent of The Times in 1952. In 1956, he was a foreign corresponent and special writer for the Daily Express and from 1959 was on the staff of the Evening Standard,as feature writer,Defence Correspondent and war correspondent. For the last decade of his time on the Standard he was Travel Editor.
He wrote his first book, NELSON AND HIS WORLD in 1967 on his return from reporting the violence in Aden and his interest in Nelson has continued. Indeed, eight of his books are about the admiral and his contemporaries; his HORATIO NELSON was runner-up for the Whitbread Biography Award of 1987.
Tom Pocock has contributed to many magazines and appeared on television documentaries about Nelson and the subject of another of his biographies,the novelist and imperialist Sir Rider Haggard.
Born in London in 1925 - the son of the novelist and educationist Guy Pocock - he was educated at Westminster School and Cheltenham College, joining the Royal Navy in 1943. He was at sea during the invasion of Normandy and, having suffered from ill-health, returned to civilian life and in 1945 became a war correspondent at the age of 19, the youngest of the Second World War.
After four years wth the Hulton Press current affairs magazine group, he moved to the Daily Mail as feature-writer and then Naval Correspondent, becoming Naval Correspondent of The Times in 1952. In 1956, he was a foreign corresponent and special writer for the Daily Express and from 1959 was on the staff of the Evening Standard,as feature writer,Defence Correspondent and war correspondent. For the last decade of his time on the Standard he was Travel Editor.
He wrote his first book, NELSON AND HIS WORLD in 1967 on his return from reporting the violence in Aden and his interest in Nelson has continued. Indeed, eight of his books are about the admiral and his contemporaries; his HORATIO NELSON was runner-up for the Whitbread Biography Award of 1987.
Tom Pocock has contributed to many magazines and appeared on television documentaries about Nelson and the subject of another of his biographies,the novelist and imperialist Sir Rider Haggard.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
April 13, 2014
If you want to know about Nelson, read this book. Clearly a very complex man, and frequently in the right place at the right time. I loved the detail in this book - the man was far more interesting than the tactics used in the battles he fought. It gave good insight into the history o the time, the way things were done and the ways in which the European powers worked.
August 23, 2020
A thorough-going account of an ardent, impulsive and innovative warrior but a rather flawed man. This biography does a fine balancing act between describing the heroic Nelson's national triumphs as well as his personal failings. Pocock does not portray the Lord Nelson of schoolboy legend but he does not destroy the legend either. When you finish the book, you recall the words of Nelson's dear friend, Lord Minto, just before Trafalgar: "[Nelson] is in many points a great man, in others a baby."
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January 5, 2021This book made me fall in love with Nelson.
January 16, 2020
A heroes jour
A good read a story of courage,tenacity,heroism and nautical history.c
clearly written,both human and heroic,filled with family portraits ,national intrigues and naval battles
A good read a story of courage,tenacity,heroism and nautical history.c
clearly written,both human and heroic,filled with family portraits ,national intrigues and naval battles
March 14, 2018
Very well written. Illustrations of the battles helped me understand them better. Very interesting person to read about.
October 23, 2018
Awesome
I read this excellent book in the full knowledge of how it ended however, I was still upset when I read the last chapter.
I read this excellent book in the full knowledge of how it ended however, I was still upset when I read the last chapter.
March 12, 2021
Incredible book of an interesting character I knew so little about. This could be a great movie involving fascinating people.
August 2, 2012
For some reason, I'm fascinated by sea-faring etc and this book offered a great insight into one of our great heroes. Easy to read too.
June 1, 2015
Superb account of a singular life.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews