Status Updates From Most Secret and Confidentia...

It keeps getting better. Make sure you don't accidentally skip any pages.

The evidence says much of Nelson's success stemmed from his obsession with communications and detail in a time when things moved much slower, and there were much fewer dependable lines of communication. If the enemy didn't get him at Trafalgar, stress might have.

Misinformation, spies, bribes, and Admiral Nelson's keen analytical mind worked together, despite his missing eye and arm. Communication lacked the speed and efficiency of today but was still the deciding factor in much of the major historical events of those times. These pages tend to gain nautical speed with each page and chapter.

We have been deceived.
Real sea commanders in the age of sail also had hours of boring paperwork almost every day. It wasn't all about outsmarting the enemy, keeping the crew fit and well, maintaining the ship. Captains and admirals had to do all of that, too.
Studying these bosses, and their expectations teaches a lot about people. Us and them.

Lord Admiral Nelson was obsessed with communication. More bosses should be like that.

So, who was in charge of Royal Navy Intelligence into the days of Nelson? Everybody for a while. Some good leadership eventually emerged, but there was some catching up to do.

Plenty of surprises early on. George Washington's understanding and use of intelligence was strongly noted by England as its intel services were growing in the age of Napoleon.

The English post office and Lloyd's of London were also considerable contributors in this period.

After chapter 1 I was thinking, "I like this book, but it is going to have an EXTREMELY narrow audience."

Chapter 2, "I like this book, but it is going to have a narrow audience."

Very interesting and good, but not quite as dry as my first impression. Still going to take me a while to read this book.

First two thoughts having just started this book:

1. This is a very heavy book. It is not easy reading.
2. I cannot see myself finishing this book and not loving it.

This book is going to be very niche... But it fits my niches. I suspect that for most it will be too academic/dry... And may turn out that way for me...

But, for me, it holds a lot of promise.

But I'm weird sometimes.