First published in 1990, this encyclopedic yet highly readable work gives an indepth description of the royal navy in lord nelsons time. Published in 2004 on the 200th anniversary of trafalgar, brian lavery s nelson s fleet at trafalgar is a detailed and fascinating look at those men and ships and the roles they played in the waters off spain in 1805. Brian lavery s followup to royal tars, able seamen and the bestselling titles empire of the seas, in which they served and the classic volume of the senior service. What were conditions like below the decks, living among the rats and the filth. Apr 25, 2008 brian lavery s life in nelson s navy is an excellent introductory survey of its subject.
Experiments conducted by the admiralty in 18 determined that at pointblank. Not quite as authoritative as brian laverys nelsons navy. And then there are the classic research tomes books like brian laverys nelsons navy. May 24, 2017 if you want to know more on the technical side of fighting sail, the rigging, the different types of ships, the tactics, the organisation, nelson s navy by brian lavery is the single best volume i have in my collection. There is no royal road to a knowledge of the navy of nelsons time. Empire of the seas ebook by brian lavery rakuten kobo. Horatio lord nelson by brian lavery, 9780814751909, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. What was it really like to be at sea in the navy with nelson. Steven maffeo actually included quotes from the aubrey.
Sep 29, 2008 roy and lesley adkins s many books include trafalgar, which tells the story of the war at sea in napoleonic times, and their latest book jack tar, looking at life in the navy in nelson s era. Follow brian lavery and explore their bibliography from s brian lavery author page. For anyone following through any themes in the history of the navy there is a bonus in that the author has tried to follow the layout of brian lavery s seminal work nelson s navy in order to compare and contrast the navy in these two significant periods of its history. The ships, men and organization, 1783 1815 or as helpful as dean king s a sea of words. It saved me more than once when i wrote caught by the tides, my regency novella in beyond the dark. The year 1588 marked a turning point in our national story. Brian lavery s life in nelson s navy is an excellent introductory survey of its subject. Not quite as authoritative as brian lavery s nelson s navy. Brian lavery is curator of naval history at the national maritime museum, greenwich, u. He creates a compelling read that is every bit as engaging as the tv series itself. Brian laverys nelsons fleet at trafalgar is a detailed and. There is a photo on page 56 of laverys book of a model of one, which is in the national maritime museum.
Rodger s second volume in his naval history of britain. Although its noted that the navys existing ships were illsuited to the essentially civilian role and new ships were built to fit the purpose. It s very informative and pleasant to read, and set up in a way you can reference things easily. Steven maffeo actually included quotes from the aubreymaturin novels as historical evidence in his latest work. First published in 1990, this encyclopedic yet highly readable work gives an indepth description of the royal navy in lord nelson s time. All of nelsons previous battles are in the this book and well covered. Patrick obrian wrote the forward to brian laverys insightful look at nelsons navy. Its very informative and pleasant to read, and set up in a way you can reference things easily. His parents had to find a royal navy captain who was willing to take him on, perhaps a relative or a political or business connection. Brian lavery born 18 july 1945, is a british naval historian, author, and curator emeritus at. Brian lavery is the guest curator of the exhibition victory 250 at chatham. A lexicon and companion for patrick o brian s seafaring tales, this may be an attractive acquisition for large public libraries with an interest both in o brian s novels and in the iconography of. Notable naval books of 1989 proceedings may 1990 vol.
Brian lavery has 62 books on goodreads with 4351 ratings. Roy and lesley adkinss many books include trafalgar, which tells the story of the war at sea in napoleonic times, and their latest book jack tar, looking at life in the navy in nelsons era. This small, slender 90 pages paperback, with no illustrations and without any scholarly pretensions such as footnotes or even a bibliography, gives a clear, concise account of what royal navy life. Empire of the seas by brian lavery 9781472835604 dymocks. Laverys book is titled wooden warship construction a history in ship models. Building an age of fighting sail reference library, part 1. We would add, from a timelife series, henry gruppes the frigates, as well as books like iain dickie et al. Numerous books, both technical and historical, have been written about victory, but for an overall picture of the ship and her remarkable story this volume is hard to beat. For any student of the world of nelson s navy there should be two essential books on the shelf. If these three books do not satisfy your hunger, not to worry, there is a veritable feast of titles out there waiting for you. Life in nelsons navy by brian lavery world of books.
Nelsons flagship hms victory had a complement of 821 men that needed to react with precision to adjust the ships 37 sails, fire its 104 cannons, steer its 3,500 ton frame, and navigate by means of astronomical instruments. So the distinction between despatch vessel and packet boat becomes less well defined. There is a description of various gunboats in brian laverys nelsons navy. With a foreword by patrick obrian, nelsons navy is the definitive reference work on the british navy in the napoleonic era for individuals with an interest in the workings of the greatest fleet of the sailing era. It started by recruiting yachtsmen and giving them a smattering of naval discipline. According to laverys nelsons navy, each rated ship had a master at arms.
This book is the perfect guide to nelsons navy for all those with an. That story hinges on the naval nutsandbolts napoleon needed to pull off his invasion of england in. Victory over the spanish armada transformed us into a seafar. Patrick obrien provides the forward to this edition of the most successful conway maritime title. Life in nelsons navy by brian lavery were that sailors excited about the battle of trafalgar, or suffering scurvy. This meant on a 6th rate he earned less than a lieutenant, on a 5th rate he earned as much and on 4th rate and higher he earned more than a lieutenant. The history of the vessels in which he served, 17711805 stackpole books, 2002 lavery 74 brian laverys the 74gun ship bellona naval institute press, 1985 lavery jac brian laverys jack aubrey commands naval institute press, 2003 lyon david lyons the sailing navy list chatham. This small, slender 90 pages paperback, with no illustrations and without any scholarly pretensions such as footnotes or even a bibliography, gives a clear, concise account of what royal navy life for.
Patrick obrian found nelsons navy 1989 to be the most nearly regal that i have come across in many years of reading on the subject. During world war ii, britains royal navy has to expand more than sevenfold, in the faces of the threat of invasion, enemy bombing and the need to carry out campaigns all around the world. Foxing to top edge, as well as inside of dust cover but does not show from outside. My choice for the moment is actual historyfrom brian laverys nelsons navy to the command of the ocean, n.
This book is an impressive piece of work and is thoroughly recommended. The times labelled the same book a masterpiece on life in the senior service under englands favourite seafaring son. Patrick o brian found nelson s navy 1989 to be the most nearly regal that i have come across in many years of reading on the subject. This small, slender 90 pages paperback, with no illustrations and without any scholarly pretensions such as footnotes or even a bibliography, gives a clear, concise account of what royal navy life for officers and crew was. Jan 23, 2005 my choice for the moment is actual historyfrom brian lavery s nelson s navy to the command of the ocean, n. Rif winfields and brian laverys books are musthave references, and they make life a lot easier. Nelsons navy the ships, men and organisation, 1793 1815 by. His ranking, according to laverys nelsons navy was with but after the lieutenants. Nelsons navy, the ships, men and organisation 17931815, by brian lavery, foreword by patrick o brian, revised and updated edition, 2012 isbn. Brian lavery is a british naval historian, author, and curator emeritus at the national maritime museum, greenwich brian lavery is the author of nelson.
The ships, men and organisation 17931815 1990 have helped us to understand better the navys role within eighteenth and early nineteenthcentury britain. Horatio lord nelson by brian lavery, john killens, richard. Buy a cheap copy of life in nelsons navy life book by brian lavery. With a foreword by patrick obrian, nelsons navy is the definitive reference work on the. Uncommonly good collectible and rare books from uncommonly good booksellers. While not as detail as brian laverys book, nelsons navy, the study of the royal navy in this book should satisfied almost anyone. Returning to an era when technological development moved more slowly, brian laverys beautifully illustrated nelsons navy. The ships, men and organization, 1783 1815 or as helpful as dean kings a sea of words. His previous publications include nelsons navy, the illustrated history of nelson and nelson and the nile. Brian laverys book is something that i truly enjoyed reading. This is not, however, a book for the novicebrian laverys nelsons navy naval institute press, 2000 or even john harlands seamanship naval institute press, 1984 fit that bill nicely. Lavery has written an encyclopedic introduction if thats not oxymoronicto life in the british navy during the time of the napoleonic wars.
Written in brian laverys customary highly readable style, the book is clearly intended as much for the informed mainstream reader as for the true specialist. Life in nelsons navy by brian lavery nook book ebook. Duties of the sailing master and masters mate the dear. They varied between 43 to 51 tons and were numbered but never given names. Reissued in trade paperback format brian laverys narrative explores the navys rise over four centuries. Patrick obrians navy by richard oneill, david miller.
Mar 15, 2018 rif winfields and brian laverys books are musthave references, and they make life a lot easier. A lexicon and companion for patrick obrians seafaring tales, this may be an attractive acquisition for large public libraries with an interest both in obrians novels and in the iconography of. This book is the perfect guide to nelsons navy for all those with. But willis book is necessary reading for those of us who occasionally write about the world of wooden walls and iron men. In nelsons navy, brian lavery makes an interesting observation. Read empire of the seas how the navy forged the modern world by brian lavery available from rakuten kobo. To be sure, laverys nelsons navy is an excellent reference book that contains far more detailed information than the present work, but jack aubreys commands is written in a more approachable style for the general reader, with a text that is meant to be read as a continuous whole, rather than as a collection of details and essays. I highly recommend brian laverys nelsons navy, john harlands seamanship in the age of sail, and the nautical dictionary entitled the sailors word book for starters. Rodgers second volume in his naval history of britain. Brian lavery is one of britains leading naval historians and a prolific. Filled with over four hundred illustrations, the book is divided into fourteen sections that deal with the design and construction of ships, the navy s administration, and life at sea. I should probably make it clear that i was referring to brian laverys great nelsons navy. Brian laverys followup to royal tars, able seamen and the bestselling titles empire of the seas, in which they served and the classic volume of the senior service. His previous publications include nelson s navy, the illustrated history of nelson and nelson and the nile.
The construction and fitting of the english man of war, 16501850. To find officers for this force it had to move well outside its normal supply of boys trained from the age of. The ships, men and organization, 17931815, is virtually encyclopedic and solidly authentic in its coverage of the royal navy during the napoleonic period. Beginning with a background on the wars with france and naval administration, lavery covers the design and construction of ships, training and organisation of officers and. News of nelson is the life story of john lapenotiere, the story of the ten pickles which have served in the royal navy, and the origins of pickle night. For anyone following through any themes in the history of the navy there is a bonus in that the author has tried to follow the layout of brian laverys seminal work nelsons navy in order to compare and contrast the navy in these two significant periods of its history. Brian lavery is one of the uks leading maritime historians and the author of such. Roy and lesley adkinss many books include trafalgar, which tells the story of the war at sea in napoleonic times, and their latest book jack tar.
Brian laverys life in nelsons navy is an excellent introductory survey of its subject. I stumbled across nelsons navy, by brian lavery for which obrian wrote the foreword. Mar 02, 2012 and then there are the classic research tomes books like brian laverys nelsons navy. Brian lavery s nelson s navy is the perfect guide for all those with an interest in the workings of the great fleet. To be sure, lavery s nelson s navy is an excellent reference book that contains far more detailed information than the present work, but jack aubrey s commands is written in a more approachable style for the general reader, with a text that is meant to be read as a continuous whole, rather than as a collection of details and essays. So too, roger morrisss the royal dockyards during the revolutionary and napoleonic wars 1983 and brian laverys work nelsons navy. Contra what we read in naval fiction set during the age of sail, or even what some contemporaneous writers assert, the range of the carronade was not significantly inferior to the long guns it replaced. For any student of the world of nelsons navy there should be two essential books on the shelf. Although it s noted that the navy s existing ships were illsuited to the essentially civilian role and new ships were built to fit the purpose. Feb 28, 2009 in nelsons navy, brian lavery makes an interesting observation.
Personal accounts of men who were there sometimes stand in sharp. Brian laverys nelsons navy is the perfect guide for all those with an interest in the workings of the great fleet. Written by one of the worlds leading authorities on the sailing navy, the book contains considerable original research to give a clear and authentic picture of. The times labelled the same book a masterpiece on life in the senior service under. Life in nelsons navy the sutton life series by lavery, brian and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Curator of ship technology, national maritime museum, greenwich. Returning to an era when technological development moved more slowly, brian lavery s beautifully illustrated nelson s navy. He is a leading expert in the career of nelson and the broader royal navy. Filled with over four hundred illustrations, the book is divided into fourteen sections that deal with the design and construction of ships, the navys administration, and life at sea. Both are tremendously authoritative works built on impressive research.
Nelsons biography may not be as detail or indepth as some of the full scale biographies but the coverage proves to be impressive and insightful. There is a description of various gunboats in brian lavery s nelson s navy. How did life compare between those of a high rank, and those who served them. Nelsons navy is divided into fourteen thematic sections which deal with the. I have gazed at the ship models on its pages over and over again since receiving it last month from the u. The young horatio nelson was lucky that his uncle, captain maurice suckling, was appointed to a ship when the boy was just the right age. He says the classic form of small gunboat was designed by commissioner hamilton in 1805the first six were sent to gibraltar for local defence. Mar 15, 2007 brian lavery s life in nelson s navy is an excellent introductory survey of its subject. He begins with a summary of the european political. If you want to know more on the technical side of fighting sail, the rigging, the different types of ships, the tactics, the organisation, nelsons navy by brian lavery is the single best volume i have in my collection. The ships, men, and organization, 17931815 lavery, brian on. Short book that offered a very cursory overview of regency navy life.
Roy and lesley adkinss top 10 nelson books books the. He traces the evolution of naval sailing vessels using models accompanied. The history of the vessels in which he served, 17711805 stackpole books, 2002 lavery 74 brian lavery s the 74gun ship bellona naval institute press, 1985 lavery jac brian lavery s jack aubrey commands naval institute press, 2003 lyon david lyon s the sailing navy list chatham. Brian laverys narrative explores the navys rise over four centuries. Were that sailors excited about the battle of trafalgar, or suffering scurvey. This small, slender 90 pages paperback, with no illustrations and without any scholarly pretensions such as footnotes or even a bibliography, gives a clear, concise account of what royal navy life for officers and crew was like two centuries ago.
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