Nelson: A Personal History

by Christopher Hibbert, Tim Pigott-Smith (Narrator), Elizabeth Bland (Editor)

Britain's greatest naval hero, Nelson was a complex and contradictory character. This highly acclaimed biography gives an intimate and compelling portrait of Nelson derived from from letters and family papers, some of which were brought to light especially for this biography.

Genres: Biography, History, Nonfiction, Military History, War, Maritime, British Literature

2 pages, Audio Cassette

First published October 17, 1994

About the author

Christopher Hibbert, MC, FRSL, FRGS (5 March 1924 - 21 December 2008) was an English writer, historian and biographer. He was a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and the author of many books, including Disraeli, Edward VII, George IV, The Rise and Fall of the House of Medici, and Cavaliers and Roundheads.

Described by Professor Sir John Plumb as "a writer of the highest ability and in the New Statesman as "a pearl of biographers," he established himself as a leading popular historian/biographer whose works reflected meticulous scholarship.

Reviews

[Jason Koivu · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're British you already know the story, but if you're unfamiliar, Nelson: a Personal History is a great place to get a general overview.

For Americans like me, you might think of Lord Horatio Nelson the way you think of George Washington. In fact, if England allowed their leaders to be elected by popular vote, I have no doubt Nelson would've been made King. His meteoric rise through harrowing, gallant military service puts him in a rarified pantheon of mortal heroes.

Mortal, indeed. Nelson had his faults. In fact, reading how he conquered or succumbed to his own shortcomings and self-defeating vices is just as entertaining as his valiant victories at sea. Christopher Hibbert handles Nelson's wartime and peacetime battles with deft skill. His Nelson is an engrossing, widely-encompassing bio of an immensely colorful life.

[Jay Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hibbert does a good job of recording the life of a great warrior. Clearly, Nelson was a great military officer that had the respect of the English people. However, despite his total lack of fear and excellent tactical mind, he was a failure in his personal life. His ego showed no bounds, walking over others without regard to those individuals as people. He fell in love with a heartless woman that only wished to be the center of attention. Nelson then ignored his wife and had a child by this woman while she was living with her elderly husband. A great warrior he was but lacking in other qualities.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed it. But what a silly, vain, shallow man Nelson was. Totally crucified on his own ego, totally besotted with ethe ridiculous Lady Hamilton. Very little respect for the man after this.

[Bud · Rating 3 out of 5]

Horatio Nelson saved England from invasion by Napoleon when he captured and sank much of a large French and Spanish fleet at the battle of Trafalgar. He lost his life in that same battle when he was shot by a sharpshooter in the Spanish cross trees. Nelson like to wear his many medals and sashes even though they made him a likely target. This book is mostly about his private life. He left his wife of many years because he preferred the company of his mistress, Lady Hamilton - and of her husband, Lord Hamilton, too. He had many earlier naval successes and a few failures but never felt that the Government (the Admiralty) gave him the recognition and rewards that were due him. An interesting look at the private side of a public figure.

[Jeremiah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A concise, engaging biography. As presented by Hibbert, Nelson seemed to be a man of bravery and action who enjoyed adventure, battle, and social life (esp. the company of certain women but was usually discreet). He was somewhat vain, always making his exploits known to his acquaintances, and he seemed to leave questions of politics and the bigger picture to the politicians and the justice system while focusing on the more naval/military objectives given him, though he did consider going into politics a couple of times.

[Wolfgang · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have the impression this is a very intimate description of Nelson's life with all his positive but also his negative sides. The strength of his character resulted, in part, from these faults. - He could not contain his drive to show off his medals even when it was inopportune. His ambition was very great. He wanted to be perfect when in command. But his bravery is legendary. Not for nothing he is called a hero.

[Katch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this quirky biography when I read it. From Nelson's apprenticeship, to his Nile victory, to his scandalous Livorno days, to his ultimate sacrifice at Trafalgar, what an extraordinary life. One can't really lose with this one.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fan of the age of sail, I've wanted to learn more about Nelson. I'm some what sorry I did! He seems, as originally thought, a savant on the sea but an idiot off of it. He would have destroyed himself completely with his infatuation of his mistress but chance saw to give him an immortal Pyrrhic victory instead. The book should have been called Nelson and Hamilton as she was given as much coverage. The book did a good job of covering his naval exploits as well managing to show the hero despite his frail health and moral weakness.

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was written very well and had many supporting documents to back up the information it presented. It gave great insight into both the personal life and naval career of Horatio Nelson. It contained many things I did not know about Nelson and exemplified his character and how he presented himself. He was a remarkable man who always put his service to the crown first and held his homeland in the highest regard. Plus his hatred for the French never waned or was ever questioned.