The Trafalgar Chronicle
by John
Another terrific read from Pen and Sword! Particularly relevant for me, as I will be visiting “Victory” at Portsmouth, UK, in a few weeks.
TRAFALGAR CHRONICLE edited by Peter Hore
This is the first volume of articles on the subject of the Georgian period navy, ie. The epoch of Trafalgar, Nelson, Napoleon, 1812 war etc. The volume contains 17 individually authored articles, maps, quality black and white and colour plates, notes and contributors’ biographies.
For this general reader, most of the articles were very interesting, but some contained a level of detail which would be more of interest to researchers.
I particularly enjoyed the articles about the American in The Royal Navy, Frederic Rolette, and Nelson as a junior officer. I am certain that “Victory” modelers will find invaluable, the analysis in “What Did HMS Victory Actually Look Like?”
The crucial role of James Cook in the conquest of the French in Quebec was fascinating to this antipodean, who was not previously aware of this period of Cook’s career.
I look forward to further volumes in this series which are intended to be published annually. (This review covers Book 1 of the new series. Since I wrote this review Books 2 and 3 have been published. I hope to review 2 and 3 soon.)
Dr John Viggers
My readers might be wondering why most of the books which I am reviewing in johnsmachines.com are “highly recommended”. The reason is simple. The books which I read and decide are crap do not get reviewed by me at all. The ones which you will see in the blog also exclude those which I have decided are just OK. The ones which you will read about here are those which I have really enjoyed, like “The Trafalgar Chronicle”.
johnsmachines 
John, got some Trevithick stuff you may find of interest. Just need to cross load it from another forum.
I don’t get the link to James Cook & Victory ? I know the success of some Canada operations were due to his hydrographic surveys, which is why he was chosen for the South Seas venture.
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No link that I know of between Victory and Cook, except same era. I look forward to the Trevithick stuff. Cook’s Canada waterway mapping was crucial to the British win over the French in Canada.
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I read Nelson’s Trafalgar : The Battle That Changed the World by Roy A. Adkins a decade or so ago after I read Patrick O’Brian’s entire series and supporting publications. Maybe it is in part due to my love of sailing and wooden boats that I’ve read a lot of maritime history and mariners tales, Maybe it is the romance of the sea. But it may be more likely that I love looking at boat shapes and rigging, what my naval architect pal calls boat porn.
I’m not much into war, but reading of Lord Nelson’s strategy, courage and leadership in his final battle was inspiring. Maybe I’ll check it out.
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Thanks John,
I think I just may give it a read. The sailor in me has always liked reading about Nelson and especially Cook.
Jenny
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