Would you say temperament is same as leadership in this context? Does the latter come across as too narrow in conveying the importance of a personality?
Re: great man of history, I believe few biographies prove the man's impact in a decisive manner, due to lack of detailing or showing cause-and-effect. Like you just did in narrating Nelson's actions under Jervis. Caro's LBJ volumes are one exception here. With his prodigious research and setting of mood and context, the reader comes away with a sense of the man being a force of nature, embodying Thoughts into actions.
I would imagine anyone from that era would. Similar to my love of Duff Cooper's Talleyrand. I enjoy an opinionated biography over a deeply factual one.
I’ve read Patrick O’Brian’s Aubrey-Maturin novels twice, so I enjoyed learning more from you about Lord Nelson. O’Brian does a great job of conveying Nelson’s influence via Jack Aubrey.
"as the country that later used its massive sea power to [...] maintain the system of trade networks that was so essential to the rising prosperity and advancement of the decades of innovation that followed." One almost detects a reticence to just say "the British Empire"..
I recently subscribed to the Common Reader. Your Trafalgar Day post alone is worth the price. Thank you.
😀 delighted to hear it
Great piece. Maybe your best!
thanks!
Wonderful and inspiring piece!
Would you say temperament is same as leadership in this context? Does the latter come across as too narrow in conveying the importance of a personality?
Re: great man of history, I believe few biographies prove the man's impact in a decisive manner, due to lack of detailing or showing cause-and-effect. Like you just did in narrating Nelson's actions under Jervis. Caro's LBJ volumes are one exception here. With his prodigious research and setting of mood and context, the reader comes away with a sense of the man being a force of nature, embodying Thoughts into actions.
Best biography about Nelson? Or would you suggest the Aubrey Novels instead to really understand him?
NOTE: I love Master and Commander and think it's slightly better than Gladiator.
I don’t like the Aubrey novels… they are mostly all good if not too long. Cole is a manageable length but “revisionist”
Cool. I've put the Coleman and Southey books on my list
Southey is really great but now known to have errors, alas.
I would imagine anyone from that era would. Similar to my love of Duff Cooper's Talleyrand. I enjoy an opinionated biography over a deeply factual one.
I’ve read Patrick O’Brian’s Aubrey-Maturin novels twice, so I enjoyed learning more from you about Lord Nelson. O’Brian does a great job of conveying Nelson’s influence via Jack Aubrey.
Fascinating piece.
"as the country that later used its massive sea power to [...] maintain the system of trade networks that was so essential to the rising prosperity and advancement of the decades of innovation that followed." One almost detects a reticence to just say "the British Empire"..
Were C.S. Forester's Hornblower novels based on Horatio Nelson?