Trafalgar: An Eyewitness History

by Tom Pocock (Editor)

Collects firsthand accounts of the battle of Trafalgar, telling the story of the events before, during, and after the battle through letters, diaries, and other unpublished documents.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, War, Military Fiction, British Literature

238 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2005

About the author

Tom 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.

Reviews

[David R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A splendid collection of first hand accounts of the events leading to, during, and immediately following the epic sea battle of Trafalgar in 1805. The real gems are log entries by officers under Nelson and Villeueve as the fleets converge. One can appreciate the tension and uncertainty as the ships closed for action. Pocock skillfully knits everything together.

[Robert Tyrrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brutal and engaging, one of the best history books I’ve read.

[T. Dunham · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Compelling Read

I read a lot of history in my work, and some of it requires discipline to finish. So I was delighted by Pocock's compelling and pithy narrative. The book draws from recounts and letters from participants in the battle, so in addition to the concise facts, Pocock presents different perspectives and voices, animating the battle. It read with the pacing of fiction and kept me engaged.

[Dean · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well-written account of the Battle of Trafalgar, told from all sides of the conflict. The author narrates events in a clear, concise, and easy-to-follow manner, which is particularly effective given how complex and fragmented the battle can appear when broken down into its many individual engagements. The horrors of war are starkly exposed, while the courage shown by sailors on both sides is powerfully conveyed.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of the epic sea battle between the British fleet and the allied French/Spanish fleet on Oct 21, 1805. Told mostly via participants correspondence, logs, and diaries, with editorial remarks tying them together. I actually read the Folio Society edition, and it contained a very good introduction, diagrams, maps, and color plates of paintings of the event. A very interesting account.

[Steve Connellan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Superb. Thrilling eye witness accounts really take you into the period and the battle.

[Stephen Waters . Cobbit of the Shire · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating account

I enjoyed this well written account of trafalgar it made me even more aware of Nelsons greatness and the debt England owed this great man

[David McClure · Rating 4 out of 5]

I came to this book with a schoolboy’s knowledge of Nelson and Trafalgar fearful that the narrative might be unbalanced by too many eyewitness passage and too many obscure nautical terms.
Thanks to Tom Pocock’s skills as navigator, I came away with a much surer grasp of the strategic importance of the battle (I didn’t not realise how close Napoleon was to invading Britain) and the tactical genius of Nelson in finding a way to pierce the enemy defences (again I was unaware of how many Spanish ships supported the French navy).

As a seasoned journalist Pocock writes in a clear accessible style and the battle is deftly brought to life with eyewitness accounts from both sides and from both below and above deck. At times some of the extracts are a tad too long (dragging over several pages) when some more commentary would have aided a lay-reader like myself. Someone new to the subject might be advised to read Pocock’s biography of Nelson before advancing into this more detailed first-hand account of the battle.

The real value of the book lies in some of the juicy morsels secreted in the eyewitness accounts:
how on the eve of battle Nelson ensured that his will protected his beloved Lady Hamilton and his adoptive daughter Horatia; how his body was pickled in brandy when no lead coffin was available;
how his fellow officers wore stockings to aid any future amputations by the ship’s surgeon; and how when they pushed dead bodies over the side they often found some were still breathing.

A few cavils. For such a well researched book, there are surprisingly no footnotes. A map or two of the battle and the ports where the French fleet were based would also have come in handy.

But despite these quibbles this account of the battle of Trafalgar undoubtedly brings history to life and this lay reader feels in safe hands with Captain Pocock at the helm.

[Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book edits together first-hand accounts of the Battle of Trafalgar, including the lead up to the action, the battle itself at a tactical level, and the aftermath, ending with the internment of Lord Nelson in St. Paul's. These accounts are from letters, logs, reports, and memoirs ranging from those of Lord Nelson to sailors who were working the guns. The editor does an outstanding job of weaving these into a single clear narrative.

I learned quite a bit from this book. One thing that stuck with me was the report from a Lt. Clement, who was sent to take a Spanish prize near the end of the battle. His rowboat was so shot up that it sank. He didn't know how to swim! The two sailors in the boat with him saved him, and he mentions one of the sailors was a black man. I've always pictured the British Navy of this period as lily white, so it makes me wonder was this one unnamed sailor unusual. I know writings of this period often refer to Middle Easterners, Indians, Afghans, and Pakistanis as black. Could that be the case here?

My friends who have played Wooden Ships & Iron Men, Don't Give Up the Ship!, and Flying Colors will love this book!

The book as an object is what one expects from The Folio Society, a beautiful edition that is a pleasure to hold and read.

[JJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

The events leading up to the Battle of Trafalgar, the battle itself and the aftermath, as told through the words of the men who were there. Hats off to the author/editor. He has done a remarkable job of assembling these first-hand accounts – sourced from letters sent home, journals, logs and reports – into a cohesive narrative, one that puts you into the heart of the battle. You’ll think you’re there, but will be relieved you’re not as the tension ramps up and the first shot is fired. Lord Nelson gets his due, but it is the words of the lower ranking sailors that puts a lump in one’s throat, be it in awe of their bravery and patriotism or the haunting acceptance of their impending death. I found midshipman Robert Smith’s eve-of-battle letter addressed to his parents in which he seeks to comfort his soon-to-be grieving mother particularly moving.

[Autre Nom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trafalgar was one of the most important naval battles in British history. Nelson's defeat of the French and Spanish fleet ended Napoleon's attempted invasion and confirmed British naval supremacy. The battle made such an impact on the culture than even today most people know Nelson's supposed last words: "Kiss me Hardy". Those weren't actually his last words, of course, and you'll find a much more realistic account of the scene in Pocock's book, a well-assembled collection of eye witness accounts covering all aspects of Trafalgar. It's fascinating stuff and gives a vivid flavour of the events, helped by Pocock's introduction and linking material. Hardy's actual last words? "Thank God I have done my duty". An essential book for anyone interested in Trafalgar, naval matters, or British history.

[ile · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very similar to the 2004 "Nelson's Trafalgar" by Roy Adkins (ISBN#9780670034482) which predated this book, but just in a lot more detail of the main events given the eye witness accounts provided by lengthy quotes. Told in a much more suspenseful and chronological manner than Adkins' book. However, it also felt it didn't cover as much as Roy Adkins did. Overall, still enjoyable to read the accounts of sailors that took part in this historical battle and give "life" to their first hand experience. I'll never forget some of the horrifying scenes reported of the dead and wounded on the ships at the battle and the subsequent storm.

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Admiral Nelson had his sailors practising this manuever for years until they had it perfected.

Then at Trafalgar Nelson "Crossed the T".

The combined French and Spanish ships lined up to meet him.

And Nelson's ships came toward them in a similar parallel line.

BUT

Then all Nelson's ships suddenly swung around 90 degrees and they "Crossed the T".

Nelson's line of ships made the top of the T.

The English were thus able to fire broadsides into the enemy and the enemy were powerless to use their own guns.

One of the most brilliant sea manuevers ever.

The combined French and Spanish navies were gone.

England then owned the Rock of Gibralta.

[Susan Ottaway · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read several books about Nelson’s life and work and found most fairly tough going. This is the first I have read by Tom Pocock and it had me hooked from the first few pages. The interesting facts and the way they are presented makes for a very readable and enjoyable book. The letters and eyewitness accounts really brought the whole thing to life. Highly Recommended.

[William Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

First hand accounts, from the bottom decks to the Admiralty. Well compiled, with good history/filler to keep it moving, and it's always nice to read histories that haven't been watered down and revised.

[Beth Willis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a graphic, vivid account of the battle of Trafalgar, which really brings these extraordinary events to life. Tom Pocock is rightly celebrated.

[Jon Glover · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating read. A story told by the people who were there. Incredible and terrifying.