by Max Adams (Author)
Max Adams is a TV writer & presenter who has travelled the world to research the story of Admiral Collingwood, Nelson's great friend -- and at one point, rival in love. From the day he went to sea as a 13-year-old boy to his death (at sea) aged 62, Collingwood kept a diary. His diaries, letters and recently discovered log books enable us to hear his story in his own words -- and he was a wonderful writer, descriptive, comic and full of insight. Collingwood fought in almost every major sea battle of the era and rose from humble midshipman to Admiral. He became Britain's 'minister at sea' for five years, effectively running the Mediterranean war effort. His grasp of military, economic and diplomatic affairs was remarkable given his complete lack of conventional education. His service began with the American War of Independence and ended when victory over Napoleon's navy was assured. He wrote the victory despatch the night after Trafalgar. The story of his life is the story of the navy throughout the glory years of the Age of Sail -- the world of fictional admirals Jack Aubrey, Horatio Hornblower and Richard Bolitho.
Format: Paperback
Pages: 336
Edition: New edition
Publisher: Phoenix
Published: 03 Aug 2006
ISBN 10: 030436729X
ISBN 13: 9780304367290
Book Overview: Based on original log books and diaries Collingwood was a close friend of Nelson's for 30 years and this story is full of their correspondence 'In his hugely attractive portrait of a fellow Geordie, Max Adams not only does justice to someone generally consigned to the shadows by Nelson's dazzling genius, but usefully places Trafalgar within a naval strategy whose overriding purpose was to confine Napoleon and his allies to dry land...Adams conveys all this in lucid, compact style which is a pleasure to read, and is particularly effective in portraying the orchestrated chaos below deck in battle. In short he deserves congratulations on his first biography' Spectator 'A compelling narrative in which Collingwood himself shines through, thanks to a combination of his own words and understated achievements' Literary Review