The Life of Horatio Lord Nelson

By: Robert Southey

Narrated by: Frederick Davidson

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.

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.

Narrator ugh

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

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.

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.

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.