The Sea Wolf: The Life of Admiral Cochrane

by Ian Grimble

Thomas Cochrane's life has inspired naval authors from Frederick Marryat to Patrick O'Brien, but the Scottish admiral's life contained more adventures than any novelist could have created. Cochrane was a successful commander during the Napoleonic Wars, but his unorthodox tactics and views made him no friends at the Admiralty. After being jailed on dubious corruption charges he sent most of the rest of his life commanding foreign navies, such as those of Chile, Peru, Brazil and Greece. Inheriting the title Earl of Dundonald restored his respectability in Britain and he spent his remaining years in England as an inventor, being buried in Westminster Abbey upon his death in 1860 at age 85.

Genres: History

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

Dr. Ian Grimble (1921 - 1994) was a Scottish historian.

Reviews

[Mike Prochot · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cochrane's life and exploits are thought by many to be Patrick O'Brian's model for his best-selling 'Master and Commander'. In fact the Admiral may be the inspiration for many swashbuckling tales of the days of sail I am led to believe.

If you want to get the whole story, this is your book. If you want an easy read, walk away. At just over 400 pages, printed in a smallish font, rest assured that Mr. Grimble has spared no detail on the life of Admiral Chochrane. Adding some poetic license in regard to conversations between Chochrane and superiors, shipmates and others there is a bit of the "historical drama" genre slinking around these pages. In addition, Mr. Grimble is Scottish, so for those of us in America, the first several chapters may require a bit of doubling back to re-read passages in order to get used to the syntax, shipboard slang, confusing naval ranks and titles, as well as the occational "odd" (to us) spellings.

A well researched and documented book - no doubt. Difficult at times to continue droning on - but worth it all at the end.

A very interesting life for sure, well lived!