Decision at Trafalgar: The Story of the Greatest British Naval Battle of the Age of Nelson

by Dudley Pope

The story of the greatest British naval battle of the Age of Nelson.

Renowned historian and novelist Dudley Pope explores the defining moment of the Age of Nelson. His compelling descriptions of the battle itself are backed by a wealth of historical detail, including a chronicle of the preceding year, revealing both the British and the French political motives, and explaining Nelson's strategy and Napoleon's response. Pope creates an intimate portrait of the life in the Royal Navy at its finest hour.

Genres: History, Nautical, Nonfiction, Naval History, War

384 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1960

About the author

Dudley Pope was born in Ashford, Kent.

By concealing his age, Pope joined the Home Guard aged 14 and at age 16 joined the Merchant Navy as a cadet. His ship was torpedoed the next year (1942). Afterwards, he spent two weeks in a lifeboat with the few other survivors.

After he was invalided out of the Merchant Navy, the only obvious sign of the injuries Pope had suffered was a joint missing from one finger due to gangrene. Pope then went to work for a Kentish newspaper, then in 1944 moved to The Evening News in London, where he was the naval and defence correspondent. From there he turned to reading and writing naval history.

Pope's first book, "Flag 4", was published in 1954, followed by several other historical accounts. C. S. Forester, the creator of the famed Horatio Hornblower novels, encouraged Pope to add fiction to his repertoire. In 1965, "Ramage" appeared, the first of what was to become an 18-novel series.

Pope took to living on boats from 1953 on; when he married Kay Pope in 1954, they lived on a William Fife 8-meter named Concerto, then at Porto Santo Stefano, Italy in 1959 with a 42-foot ketch Tokay. In 1963 he and Kay moved to a 53-foot cutter Golden Dragon, on which they moved to Barbados in 1965. In 1968 they moved onto a 54-foot wooden yacht named Ramage, aboard which he wrote all of his stories until 1985.

Pope died April 25, 1997 in Marigot, St. Martin. Both his wife and his daughter, Jane Victoria survived him.

Reviews

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was exciting because of the battle, but confusing because I don't understand the nautical terms. Someone with a knowledge of the terms & some background in the history would probably enjoy this book that has lots of supporting documentation. There's a list in the appendix of the ships & their captains that I would have found helpful if I would have known it was there (sometimes during the reading a ship would be called by name, then only referred to as the Captain's actions. Index included

Since I'm going to be reading the author's "Lord Ramage Novels", I think I'm going to have to get a book of nautical terms!

[Judd Rogers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lead up to the battle was quite interesting. Very much the feel of the conflict from the English side. The battle itself was a struggle. The narrative is effective but what it really needs is a set of short animations. :-)

Worth the read if you are into history.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dudley Pope is excellent at naval writing. Love his Ramage series and love this exciting history.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't read this edition of the book, but I did read the Hardcover edition

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you enjoy books on Naval History, this is a good book to read.