Nelson: The Sword of Albion

Nelson: The Sword of Albion by Sugden, John. hardcover edition. ISBN: 9780805078077.

The most authoritative and intimate portrait written of Horatio Nelson In this epic biography of British historys most celebrated naval commander, acclaimed historian John Sugden separates fact from myth to offer a powerful portrait of the military hero of Trafalgar. As was true of the Sugdens riveting account of Horatio Nelsons early years (Nelson: A Dream of Glory, 2005), this comprehensive life of Lord Nelson is built from largely overlooked primary documents, letters, and diaries that reach across two centuries to invite us to share Nelsons multifaceted life in the Napoleonic Wars. The Sword of Albion offers the sweep and intimacy of first-rate historical fiction―revealing the interior lives, for example, of Lord Nelsons wife, Fanny and family and the caring and more passionate Emma, Lady Hamilton, who nursed the war-weary hero back to health in Naples and London after his brilliant victory over the Spanish fleet at Cape St. Vincent in 1797 and the stunning defeat at Tenerife that cost Nelson his right arm. Todays reader comes to understand that every obstacle in Nelsons path was attacked head-on with an Achilles-like ferocity and resolve. Yet his life was no steady upward trajectory; it was instead plagued by injuries and debt for the commoner admiral in a royal navy and English society dominated by lineage and property. As Sugden points out, "His life was a mission with the essence of a tour de force, hurrying toward a bloody climax that would change the fate of empires."