Cochrane Audiobook By Robert Harvey cover art

Cochrane

The Life and Exploits of a Fighting Captain

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Cochrane

By: Robert Harvey
Narrated by: Richard Matthews
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The life and adventures of Thomas Cochrane, a young man who rose from midshipman to admiral, are so extraordinary that, to paraphrase Patrick O’Brian, one has to suspend disbelief. In fact, O’Brian admitted to using Cochrane as the model for his character Jack Aubrey. Second only to Nelson among the heroes of the Royal Navy, Cochrane became a household name in Britain during the 1800s as the Admiralty called upon his extraordinary skill as a sailor, his mastery of gunnery, and his daring use of ruses, including flying under false colors, to overcome ships many times his size. His fearlessness became a byword and his life on land became as colorful as at sea. Here truly is a legendary hero.©2000 Robert Harvey; (P)2000 Books on Tape, Inc. Biographies & Memoirs Great Britain Historical Military & War Military Science Politicians Politics & Activism England Military Royal Navy War Imperialism United Kingdom Sailing

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What does Richard Matthews bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Richard reads quotes from the book in a beautiful Scottish accent, serves as a reminder that Cochrane was a Scott and adds some authenticity.

Any additional comments?

The story of Thomas Cochrane is fascinating, especially those who enjoy naval history and reading about the crazy battles at sea. This book delivers on taking you back to a time before engines and massive naval canons.

Cochrane was incredibly bold with his tactics and strategies, doing things like loading a ship full of explosives and blowing up enemy ports. Reading about how he commanded the HMS Speedy in battle is brilliance at its finest.

Around half way through, the book then turns to the scandal the ruined the man. This is where the mild fans will separate from the hardcore as it get a bit story heavy and may only really appeal to those really interested in the man or the history around him.

I still found it a great listen overall. I decided to check this book out because I loved Richard Matthews reading of A Short History of Nearly Everything (Bill Bryson). He did such a great job that I wanted to hear another book ready by him.

Good History on an Amazing Captain

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If you love sea stories and characters of the sea -
If you appreciate valor, courage and devotion to duty -
You are going to love this book.

If you admired Nelson or Hornblower or any other fictional or historic figure of the days of sail, you will love Cochran.

Most sea stories are only the wild imaginings of someone's mind.
Cochran is real life.

History is Better Than Fiction

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Second only to Horatio Nelson, Lord Thomas Cochrane (1775-1860) is considered the most successful Captain in the British Naval history. Cochrane was the tenth Earl of Dundonald. He was from a noble Scottish family.

Harvey covers the three aspects of Cochrane’s career: fighting Captain in the British Navy, radical politician, he was a Member of Parliament and expatriate military genius who after suffering disgrace in England, helped South American countries and Greece battle for independence.

Cochrane’s exploits were the inspiration of C. S. Forrester, Patrick O’Brian and Frederic Marryal. As you read this book you can discover the various exploits these authors used in their books.

The author shows how Cochrane used deception, tactical strategy and expert seamanship to win battles against supposedly unbeatable opponents. His strength was such that Napoleon dubbed him “Le loupdes mers” (the Sea Wolf)

Harvey captures the excitement of his daring do with gripping prose. The section about his career in Parliament and exploits in South America I found interesting which surprised me as other reviews complained about this section. In keeping the biography balanced Harvey did cover Cochrane’s feud with the Admiralty and the alleged involvement in a stock exchange scandal. Later in his career he was made an Admiral in the British Navy.

Cochrane inspired a 1967 collection of poems by Pablo Neruda “Lord Cochrane de Chile” which was set to music by Chilean composer Gustavo Becerra-Schmidt. I most enjoyed the section about the Napoleonic wars. The book was narrated by Richard Matthews. If you are interested in the Napoleonic Naval Wars or British Naval history this is a book for you.

A Complicated Man

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This is the best account of Cocrane I have read. It is full and complete, but leaves out the boring bits that other biographies include.

Cocrane biography

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Cochrane is one of the most colorful captains of the waters of 19th century and his story repeats in ever institutionalizing days of ours.

A must-read biography

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