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The Life of Horatio Lord Nelson  By  cover art

The Life of Horatio Lord Nelson

By: Robert Southey
Narrated by: Frederick Davidson
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Publisher's summary

Having entered the British Navy at the age of 12, Horatio Lord Nelson achieved the rank of captain at the age of 20. As captain, he was quickly recognized as a magnetic and controversial figure. He triumphed at Cape St. Vincent and the Nile, but failed at Tenefife and Boulogne. With the glories of Copenhagen and Trafalgar yet ahead of him, his ardent passion for Emma Hamilton, the wife of a British Ambassador, cast a heavy shadow over his career.

Audacious in battle (he once ignored a superior's order to cease action at Copenhagen by putting his telescope to his blind eye and saying he could not see the signal) and winner of some of Britain's greatest victories, Nelson possessed an extraordinary amount dash and courage, thus rendering him one of history's great romantic figures.

©1990 Robert Southey (P)1996 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

What listeners say about The Life of Horatio Lord Nelson

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A book of it's time.

Written shortly after Trafalgar by one of the romantic poets it has a sense of the time and the man.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Not bad but dated

This was written in the later part of the 19th century. The style is dated and lacks the depth of today’s biographies like Chernow’s Grant. Battles are vague. The reading is almost a caracture but ok.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Great account

Great account, it’s written in British tongue and in 1816 so it can be difficult to follow, but other than that it a very fun book to listen to.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Narrator ugh

I really wanted to hear this story, but the narrator with his excruciating nasal twang is an insufferable snob.

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Inspiration personified

Read in true British style, this book gives inspiration without being maudlin. It presents a picture of a great, good man with all the hair on. It shows that men may be great and human.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Annoying reading style

My first Audible book I could not finish. Although a fan a Naval history, the narration is at best - overly theatrical and annoying. Could not tolerate the performance and it overshadowed the story.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Good book, missing details on battles

My expatiation where different as I was hoping for more details on battles, strategies and insight on relationships between Lord Nelson and other officers.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Essential reading to understand Nelson the man

A great yarn about a great man. Could have used some foot notes to track further details and to explain nautical terms.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars

too detailed

Not enough on his personal relationships and a lot on minute detail of battles

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    5 out of 5 stars
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A great story

I enjoyed the story and the narrator. I highly recommend this to all who have interest in the history of the British Navy.

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