Just Finished Reading: Keane’s Company by Iain Gale (FP: 2013) [341pp] 

Portugal, 1808. Lieutenant James Keane knew it was a bad idea. Duelling had been banned in the British army and yet here he was. Not that he had much choice as it was a matter of honour. Being accused of cheating wasn’t something that an officer and a gentleman could simply ignore. Naturally he never intended to kill his opponent. He knew now that his conduct would result in more than a reprimand and a fine. It would mean a court-martial and being cashiered from the Army. To leave in disgrace after over a decade of service. When they came for him, he went quietly, expecting the worse. What he didn’t expect was being brought up before the new Commander-in-Chief himself. Recently arrived from England, Arthur Wellesley clearly had other troubles than one careless Lieutenant. But he also clearly required talent if he was to expel the French forces from Portugal. Keane couldn’t have been more surprised when he was promoted to Captain. There was, of course, a price to be paid. Keane was to form a company of men with a variety of talents and to operate primarily behind enemy lines. He was to scout ahead of the army and, where possible, disrupt enemy intentions wherever and however he could. Periodically he would report back to Wellesley himself but, until then, he and his men would be on their own, living off the land, working with partisans, and generally raising Hell. Fortunately, his men, rescued from prison, firing squad and flogging were already practiced hellraisers. Life as an exploring officer was going to be anything but dull. 

Already being a dedicated fan of Bernard Cornwell’s Sharpe novels, I just HAD to pick this up when I came across it. I was not disappointed. Not only was Keane a fun creation the whole idea behind the novel was one I had been thinking about for some time. One of my favourite characters in the Sharpe universe was Major Hogan the ‘exploring officer’ doing secret work behind the lines. I’ve been hoping for a while now that Cornwell would produce such a book, but that’s not going to happen. Although this wasn’t EXACTLY what I wanted it was a pretty close fit. The blurb on the back of the book describes Keane’s company as ‘a 19th century Dirty Dozen’ which I completely agree with. The idea works really well in the context of the Peninsular War. Such ‘Special Forces’ groups were force multipliers and Wellesley (later the Duke of Wellington) was strapped for troops and strapped for cash, so it made sense to think outside the box and create something like this. I have no idea if such a thing did happen IRL as, sadly, most of my ‘knowledge’ of the Napoleonic Wars comes almost exclusively from Sharpe novels. I mean to address this at some point! 

Needless to say, I really enjoyed this. Keane is an interesting character with room for development (there are three more books in the series to date) and there’s plenty of war/action for him and his men to be involved in. There are some very nice set-pieces – befitting a small fighting group - throughout the book, and I never once found myself disengaged or wanting more. I am very much looking forward to the next book, which I don’t have yet, but I do have the last book in the set so... Definitely recommended for all Napoleonic War fans and most definitely for fans of Richard Sharpe. More to come in this (short) series and from the author. 

Just Finished Reading: Napoleon in Egypt by Paul Strathern (FP: 2007) [427pp] 

It was a dream he had held dear since youth – to be a modern Alexander. But to do so would demand daring, dash and that admirable quality – luck. In 1798 the still young Napoleon Bonaparte had his chance. The Directory, the cabal who ruled revolutionary France, had agreed to his idea to invade Egypt and thereby threaten England’s prized possession – India. Sailing with 335 ships and 40,000 men (the largest long-distance seaborne force the world had ever seen at that time) he managed to avoid contact with the Royal Navy – by luck as much as anything else – the French army landed near Alexandria largely unopposed. This did not last long and all too soon the casualties mounted.  

The invasion was, in many ways, a strange one. Although Egypt was of strategic importance for both the British and the French, it was nominally at least part of Ottoman territory. The complicating factor was that the Ottoman Empire was an ALLY of France! Napoleon hoped that a diplomatic shuffle could smooth the way and prevent any unfortunate repercussions. He was wrong. Although the Turks took their own time about things they did not fail to take umbrage at being attacked in such an unprovoked manner. So much so that they (at least temporarily) allied with both Britain and Russia – their long-term natural enemy – to assist them in evicting the French. This was helped a great deal by the arrival of the Royal Navy and the consequent Battle of the Nile where the French fleet was effectively destroyed in harbour by the brilliant Nelson making him a very rich man and eventually propelling him to the Lords. Now trapped and in danger of being overwhelmed by the combined forces ranged against him, Napoleon needed all of his tactical and strategic brilliance to keep Egypt under French control. This he managed but at huge cost. Seeing which way things were moving and worried about the changing strategic developments in Europe, Napoleon finally agreed to return to France to both save the Republic and secure his place in history. The rest, as they say, is History. 

I knew something of Napoleon’s adventurous foray into the Middle East from previous reading as well as some knowledge of the famous Battle of the Nile, but I had no real idea of the detail. That gap in my knowledge is certainly much narrower now! This was a quite excellent history of a Napoleonic campaign that is often overlooked and all too often forgotten about. Surprisingly, Bonaparte made a number of fundamental errors during this campaign (although he proved his military genius more than once in compensation) making unfounded assumptions – in particular regarding Turkey/Ottoman reaction to his invasion – and singularly failed to appreciate the culture of the Egyptians and how they would react to Western modern ideas crashing into and clashing with their own. It was definitely a learning experience for him as well as an insight into the man himself and the depth of his ambition (essentially boundless). Another highlight of the year and a must read for anyone interested in the Napoleonic Age. I’m already looking forward to reading his previous work on The Medici (which I already own!).  

[Highest page count of the year so far: 427pp][+16pp]

Just Finished Reading: Napoleon and the Hundred Days by Stephen Coote (FP: 2004) [289pp] 

It’s sad to say that up till now most of my ‘knowledge’ of the Napoleonic Wars has been gleamed from Bernard Cornwell’s Sharpe novels and the subsequent TV series. There’s been a few other books over the years – both fiction and non-fiction, but they’ve been both few and far between. To describe my understanding of the war(s) as ‘fractured’ or ‘incomplete’ would be a compliment. In order to close that gap, I finally picked up this excellent slim volume and now I feel much more enlightened. 

Starting near the end of things – with Napoleon in exile on the island of Elba and with the Congress of Vienna in full swing (or would that be full waltz) - the author gives a potted history of the events up to that point: the French Revolution and the wars/upheaval that followed, campaigning in Italy, the abortive mission to Egypt, the disaster of the Russian campaign and so on. Running to around 60 pages this is, of course, the briefest of overviews but is very useful indeed. Mixed in with this were highlights of the diplomatic situation in Europe, Napoleons relationship with his great love Josephine and the troubled relations with the rest of his family – again, great background which went a long way to explain some elements of Bonaparte’s character. His time on Elba is covered in some detail as well as the lax security which allowed him to escape and start the ‘meat’ of the story – his last 100 days. 

Starting with as little as 600 men, Napoleon was determined to overthrow the new (actually old Burbon) regime and re-install himself as Emperor and ‘saviour’ of France. To begin with it was touch and go. He did have his fanatical followers, but he also had his critics who were all too aware of what this man had cost the country in terms of both blood and gold. But after a few early victories and units sent against him changing sides and joining him it looked that the recently ended war was about to be reignited. Not, of course, if the Allies had anything to do with it. Most quickly off the mark were the Prussians and the British who quickly moved out of their positions to face the reinvigorated French forces. After some initial clashes the final battlefield was picked by Wellington, just outside a small historically insignificant village of Waterloo. The battle itself, covered in around 60 pages, was epic in proportions and the number of dead. Surprisingly, for someone thought to be THE military genius of war, Napoleon made some pretty fundamental mistakes and paid the price. My ‘knowledge’ of the war(s) ended with the battle itself, so it was highly instructive to read what happened next – both regarding the Allies and the new French government. 

I learnt a LOT from this excellent book, and it's given me even more incentive to deep deeper into the conflict. I certainly want to know more about the all-important Congress of Vienna as well as Napoleon’s time in Egypt and beyond. I already have a few books in these areas and will be trying to fill in some more of the blanks going forward. Definitely recommended to anyone interested in the era or for those who just want a quick, but detailed, overview of events. 

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Just Finished Reading: This Dark Business – The Secret War Against Napoleon by Tim Clayton (FP: 2018) [356pp] 

Wars are neither fought nor won exclusively on the battlefield. This was as true during the Napoleonic Wars as it is today. Indeed, many of the techniques used throughout the 20th century were invented and used for the first time during the decades long war with Revolutionary and Napoleonic France.  

Along with the usual diplomatic maneuvering across Europe to rise allies to the cause and to ensure that they stay in the fight even after early defeats the British government maintained a propaganda war against France – and most especially against Napoleon himself – both at home and abroad. For domestic consumption the UK government financed contributors to magazines and periodicals to write articles and produce political cartoons critical of the French regime and the Revolution that proceeded it. Indeed, the government approved the publication of and often completely financed newspapers to spread that very message – that France was a direct threat and needed to be opposed rigorously and to believe (or act) otherwise was both unpatriotic and dangerous to national security. Needless to say, newspapers and pamphlets who opposed the government were denied publication and their editors or publishers often ended up in court or in prison. If damaging revelations could not be discovered or twisted to fit then fake reports or forged letters would have to suffice and these were often published in both foreign and domestic newspapers to justify actions that the British government had already decided on. But propaganda, no matter how effective, would never be enough – especially in the years when it seemed that Napoleon and his generals were invincible on the battlefield. Something more direct needed to be attempted. 

In 1800 a determined group of men – both old-style Republicans and dyed in the wool Royalists – determined that the only way things would change for the better would be if Napoleon was dead. They determined that they could aid in this by blowing up the dictator with a barrel of gunpowder as he approached the theatre in what is probably the first recorded use of a roadside IED (Improvised Explosive Device). Obviously, it failed as we know from history but it came close, very close, to killing the man who was and would continue to change European history. The plotters had been delivered into France from British warships and had been paid with British gold. A few years later another, much larger, group were similarly infiltrated into France to complete the task, again paid for by Britain. The term ‘assassination’ was to be avoided (however tenuously) but that was the common object everyone had in mind. 

Following both streams in the secret endeavour, the author dives into a great deal of detail (too much in my opinion) on the propaganda side of things with somewhat less time spent on (at least for me) the more interest assassination plans. Both aspects of the secret war involved a LOT of people and I honestly lost track of who people were and skimmed over things a little from time to time both for sanity and for time's sake. If the author had concentrated more of the main players rather diving into the more detailed accounts, I think that the narrative would have flowed both faster and smoother. So, I did find myself struggling through this more than I would’ve liked. Part of that, I’m sure, is that the great majority of the book was completely new to me. I’d honestly never really thought of the political or covert aspects of the Napoleonic Wars until I’d come across the idea in a recent novel based during that period (Clarissa Oakes by Patrick O’Brian). A little stodgy at times but of interest to anyone wanting to know more about the wars progress off the battlefield.  

Just Finished Reading: The River of Fire by Patrick Easter (FP: 2012) [367pp] 

The Thames, London 1799. It was obvious to Captain Tom Pascoe of the Marine Police that the grisly discovery was just the start of things. As soon as a local told him that the boat wasn’t local and had probably come from Hastings the word ‘smuggling’ immediately came to mind. Of course, that just prompted even more questions: what exactly where they smuggling, who killed them, was it a deal that had gone wrong, a falling out between thieves or something darker, deeper? Who was the lone figure seen to leave the river near the sunken lugger, was that really a gunshot heard in the night? So many questions and so few answers. But the river was full of questions and Captain Pascoe only had so many men to chase them down. It was only when his boss informed him that an East Indian fleet was approaching that things started to fall into place. With the Pool crammed to overflowing with ships the greatest danger was of fire. If a fire could be started deliberately it would spread quickly from ship to ship and maybe to the harbour buildings themselves. It would be a tragedy to London and a blessing to the French. It might even knock Britain out of the war – unless Pascoe and his crew can find those responsibly before the match was lit. 

This had the makings of a good tale. The tension was certainly there with a deadline (defined by tides and wind), a resolute and deadly enemy, a well-crafted sense of time and place and an obvious talent for storytelling. But.... Despite all of that I still struggled with this otherwise interesting novel. Characterisation was good (if not better than good) if a little two dimensional at times, the story I thought was overly complex at times and, contradicting myself here, a little too simplistic at others. I thought that there were too many characters involved with too many interweaving backstories. These stories tended to slow down the central narrative and ultimately take tension away from the central investigation. As historical backfilling and providing added context and realism they served a purpose but I thought they were used too often and too intrusively. Two of the subplots in particular somewhat irritated me mostly because they were both largely irrelevant to the main story and could easily have been left out without any negative consequences – the separated siblings sub-plot and the love interest sub-plot. The other thing that irritated me, and honestly at times felt like padding although it might have just been the authors relative inexperience (this was his 2nd book), was the way that the story kept circling back to locations or people to nudge the story along a bit. But probably the most annoying aspect of this book was something that has long annoyed me throughout my reading career – when a character knows something vital to the hero’s ‘quest’, and also know of its value (or at least suspect its value) and yet either forgets to tell them till later (and often at a dramatic moment) or deliberately doesn’t tell them until it's too late because of a bullshit reason. The only purpose of such actions is to slow down the hero and the plot and its bloody obvious why it's happening. That sort of naked plot device just annoys the crap out of me. Saying ALL of that [grin] this wasn’t a bad book per se, it just wasn’t as good as it could have been. Reasonable.     

Just Finished Reading: The Regency Revolution – Jane Austen, Napoleon, Lord Byron and The Making of The Modern World by Robert Morrison (FP: 2019) [289pp] 

Despite being a determined fan of the works of Jane Austen I often wondered at the (generally speaking) noticeable lack of servants, tradespeople and especially the poor in both her novels and, especially, in her many on-screen adaptations. Likewise, the oft referenced ‘timelessness’ of these often-brilliant portrayals of Regency society relies on the lack of actual, sometimes inconvenient, historical references. With those observations in mind, it should hardly come as much of a surprise that Austen’s image – especially through the more modern lens of contemporary TV and movie adaptations – has little in common with the reality of Regency England. No doubt this is greatly responsible for the romanticisation of the period and the (very) misplaced desire of those who would choose to live there (a temporary visit might be ‘interesting’ as long as you’ve had the required vaccines for visiting a ‘3rd world country’ that’s in the process of societal collapse).    

So, what exactly did Austen get ‘wrong’ about the period she lived in and gave us to chuckle over? In as few words as possible – everything. The Regency (1811-1820) happened because of the ‘madness of King George III’ and his incapacitation to continue as monarch. In his place, the future King George IV, was installed as Regent until either the King recovered or didn’t. When George III died in 1820 his son, the Regent, became King and the Regency Period ended. During those brief but eventful 10 years England went through quite a lot – both good and bad. Firstly, the Regent himself was (very much!) a man who just wanted to have fun, including lots of food, drink and especially women. Even in the rather uber-liberal age through which he cruised, the Regent was a constant scandal which resulted in him being the constant butt of jokes and salacious cartoons. Interestingly, many fights – and victories – over the freedom of the Press revolved around attacks on the Regent, so we have at least that to thank for him.  

The other regular theme throughout the period – ignoring for the moment both the Napoleonic Wars and the War of 1812 – was the social and political upheaval in England, Scotland and (as was often the case) Ireland. The Irish unrest can, largely, be laid at the feet of famine and systemic neglect by absentee landlords. Scotland was at the same time in the throes of the consequences of highland clearances and the resulting diaspora into England and across the Empire, plus to America (often joined by their Irish compatriots). The English unrest was the result of poverty, political oppression (to suppress the growing movements to increase the franchise) and, of course, increasing industrialisation – this was the time of the Luddites. To say that the whole country was convulsed by political and social upheavals would be understating the fact. 

Covering a LOT of ground, the author concentrated on crime and punishment (very interesting), the theatre (rather long and not very interesting from my PoV), sex (again unnecessarily too long), Empire and war (definitely more my subject) and the changes happening with the increasing use of steam technology and its greater knock-on effects (ditto). Overall, it was an interesting (and often very interesting) read. The author did irritate me slightly with ‘woke-ish’ comments – especially in regard to attitudes to sexuality – which I really don’t think have a place in historical analysis. Whilst criticism of actions or decisions by historical figures in certainly valid it’s inappropriate to judge people in the early 19th century by attitudes and beliefs of those in the early 21st. We know only too well that the past is a foreign country and that they do things differently there. No doubt 100 years hence (if the species survives that long) we will be, equally inappropriately, heavily criticised by our descendants for similar moral failings. Definitely worth a read – especially if all of your previous knowledge of the period came from Miss Austen – but be prepared to be shocked and dismayed by the acts of far too many who should have known better. 

On a final note: It does amuse me greatly when I hear people profess to wish that they could have lived during the Regency. It should be remembered that women in particular, even those of high birth, had vanishing little power, little education and could not control their own finances. On marriage whatever they did own (including themselves!) became the legal property of their husbands. Divorce was almost unknown in England and had to be obtained (when it could and usually by the husband) by an Act of Parliament... and don’t get me started on the dangerous activity of childbirth. In an era before the Germ Theory of disease, with zero access to anesthesia or anti-biotics you could literally die from a bad tooth or a papercut – no matter your personal wealth! This was an age where they fought duels of ‘honour’, were sudden poverty on the death or disability of the bread-winner could result in the starvation of families and where children were executed for stealing apples. The Regency was most certainly not an Austenesque romantic fantasy – as you will find out between these pages! Be warned.    

Just Finished Reading: Sharpe’s Honour by Bernard Cornwell (FP: 1985) [370pp] 

Spain, July 1813. With the French armies in retreat ahead of Wellington’s forces a foolproof plan is put into effect. The fragile alliance between Britain and Spain must be broken and the Spanish king, presently the ‘guest’ of Napoleon Bonapart, must be restored to the throne – once he has agreed to eject the British from his country. At the heart of the plan is a simple act of revenge. French intelligence officer Pierre Ducos is determined to ruin Major Richard Sharpe once and for all. A letter is written charging Sharpe with ungentlemanly conduct towards La Marquessa and her husband, as expected, challenges Sharpe to a duel. To refuse would be an act of cowardice but to accept – win or lose – would strain the alliance to breaking point or beyond. It is a matter of honour on both sides, something that cannot be ignored or set aside. Trapped either way Sharpe must discover why a woman who had previously held him in some regard now wishes him ill. Trusting his instincts, he knows that there is far more to this duel than meets the eye. The only question that matters is who is behind the plot and what they hope to gain from the death or disgrace of a single Major in a vast allied army. 

From the publication date you’ll be able to tell that I’m in full catch-up mode with my Sharpe novels (only two more to go plus the latest novel when it comes out in paperback). This one see’s Sharpe “under cover” in Spain trying to get to the bottom of the plot to defeat the British without firing a shot. The plot follows a well-trodden path (and that’s not a criticism) of Sharpe being in serious trouble – essentially for being a hot-headed womaniser – and given minimal resources plus a tight timescale to get himself out of it. Essentially on his own most of the time he must find his ex-lover, find out what she was thinking in sending the offending letter, fight a few small skirmishes, make some new friends and, as usual show up just in time for a battle to finish the book off in true Cornwell style. As always with the author this is a vastly enjoyable romp. Sharpe is, well, Sharpe so inevitably lots of fun. He is honestly a brilliant creation and I’ll miss him when I finally finish the series. The love interest – La Marquessa – is very well drawn and I could definitely see what Sharpe saw in her. She was, in few words, FUN if somewhat hard work and, potentially at least, dangerous. Still fun though! The baddies, complete with a Spanish Inquisitor, are suitably two dimensional and doomed to failure. If there’s anything I’ve learnt during my reading of numerous Sharpe novels is that the quickest way to an unmarked grave is to try to kill Richard Sharpe – no matter who you are or how big you think you are. Full of interesting ‘scenery’ and actual events (most notably the explosion at a French occupied castle) with the battle at the end both clever and dramatic – although it did result in the death of at least one of my favourite characters – I enjoyed this from the first page to the last. Definitely recommended.

Just Finished Reading: Victory by Julian Stockwin (FP: 2010) [339pp] 

England, 1805. After losing his beloved ship HMS Teazer to a French ambush, Commander Thomas Kydd is anxious to get back to sea at a time of England’s greatest need. With invasion in the air and Napoleon’s apparently unbeatable army ready to leap across the Channel it is only the Royal Navy’s ability to keep the enemy blockaded in their ports that keeps England safe. If any of the divided fleets can escape and join with the other blockaded forces the British would be seriously outnumbered and overwhelmed. Once that happened the way would be open and the Channel, Britain’s last defence, would be breached. When news arrives that he will be back in the fight soon enough Kydd, now the captain of a captured French frigate, is delighted to join Nelson’s fleet based in the Mediterranean. With everything resting on the great man’s shoulders and the stakes as high as they could be, Nelson needs the French to breakout so that he can catch them in the open sea. But when they do so and quickly disappear into the Atlantic vastness Nelson has a choice – does he go after them with the possibility of being led on a wild goose chase whilst England is being invaded or does he play it safe by protecting the entrance to the Channel. On his decision alone rests the fate of England and at the very heart of is the newly promoted Captain Thomas Kydd. Can he repay the Admiral’s confidence in him? Does he really have a choice with so much at stake? 

The Battle of Trafalger in 1805 is rightly regarded as one of the most important battles in British history. If it was lost the whole history of western Europe, indeed the world, might have been very different with Napoleon victorious in Europe and England defeated. Told through the viewpoints of Kydd in the frigate HMS L’Aurore as well as new Midshipman Charles Bowden on HMS Victory herself this is a very accomplished tale of some of the most exciting, most exacting and most important naval encounters in the 19th century. Despite this being 11th book in the Kydd sequence it is my first encounter with him. After reading this excellent novel it certainly won’t be my last – but I think I’ll go back to the start and work my way through them! The text isn’t quite as full of the naval terminology of the time as Patrick O'Brian's books but it still helps to know the difference between port and starboard and stern chasers might make all the difference in a close fight. The action is very well done – indeed often heart-pumping/palm sweating in intensity – and, as with all such books it’s often wise not to get too attached to minor characters who just might lose life or limb from a passing cannon ball or hail of wood splinters. This is definitely one of those books where you can taste the salt in the air, hear the decks creak under you and smell the gunpowder blowing across the ship after a broadside. I enjoyed this a lot and will be looking out for more. Definitely recommended for all Age of Sail enthusiasts.  

Just Finished Reading: The Anarchy – The Relentless Rise of the East India Company by William Dalrymple (FP: 2019) [409pp]

It was not exactly an auspicious start to the enterprise. Fewer than expected investors had signed on to the undertaking. Certainly nowhere near the investment capital had been raised compared to their Dutch and Portuguese rivals. From the very start it was going to be an uphill struggle to survive. As if that wasn’t enough the first trading missions went badly – so badly that a significant number of trading ships simply vanished never to return. Only the interception of an already laden Dutch ship saved the company from going under in those early days. But Luck, as she has a tendency of doing, changes. Settlements were agreed with local princes and trading started flowing back – in a trickle at least. But the opportunities were truly immense. The British who landed in India, at Bengal, were astonished at the wealth seemingly there for the taking – if they could hold onto it. Security was, naturally, a problem. Months away from any relief they had to be able to defend themselves. The British navy was available in time of war – in other words quite often – but could hardly be prevailed upon to protect assets inland from the trading ports. But the Company did have something in its favour – money – and with money the ability to buy security in the form of mercenary captains and hired local soldiers trained to fight in the European way. A private Company hired itself a private army. They were not alone of course but gradually the Portuguese, the Dutch and even the French left the sub-continent effectively leaving it to the British to gobble up piecemeal. The Company and its plans were not without opposition however. The local leaders had been fighting amongst themselves for generations and knew a thing or two about warfare. They were even aware of European fighting styles and could afford European arms and European captains just as the Company could. But the local leaders had other things too – deep seated rivalries that could not just be set aside in the face of a common enemy, an overpowering sense of power and entitlement that had little foundation in reality and a mistaken belief that one or two lost battles would send the Company scuttling home to Britain. Things had gone too far for that. The Company was now so successful that it was FAR too big to fail. The revenue it generated for the British economy outweighed every other money stream by far. If the Company failed, some argued with a great deal of reason, then Britain itself could fail. So, gradually, reluctantly, the British government (whose Ministers already invested in the Company and who were loath to see their investments in peril) became more and more entangled in its operation and more and more dependent on its survival.

Before reading this excellent history I had no real idea just how important the East India Company was in the history of the British Empire, Britain herself and indeed world history of that period. Not only did the Company provide – by essentially asset stripping an entire sub-continent of its natural wealth – a HUGE capital influx to the coffers of the British economy for decade after decade but it gradually took over the administration of more and more of India and placed the British government in the position of having to ‘take charge’ when the Company was faced with bankruptcy. If you have ever wondered, like me, just how the British ‘acquired’ India then look no further that the history of the East India Company. It’s actually incredible that a private company answerable only to its shareholders was generating a significant percentage of Britain’s GDP and, at least for a time, had more armed forces at its command than did its mother-country. I wonder if that’s a sneak-peek into the future of multi-nationals. Covering several hundred years from its inception to its crashing down in flames this is a fascinating look at a company out of control, a continent being ransacked and the fight over what should be done about it. A definite must read for anyone interested in India, the British Empire and the possible future of BIG business.     

Just Finished Reading: Sharpe’s Triumph by Bernard Cornwell (FP: 1998) [293pp]

India, 1803. Guilt is not something Sergeant Richard Sharpe deals with easily. His tools are musket, sword and fist and none of these are worth a damned thing against the guilt he feels at losing his section. But as the only survivor of an act of treachery by an East India Company deserter Sharpe has something else he can work with – a thirst for revenge. The opportunity to do so arrives in the shape of Sharpe’s friend Colonel McCandless. Tasked with tracking down the traitor and bringing him to Company justice, Sergeant Sharpe becomes involved in the growing revolt to British rule in India. The Company with its powerful mercenary army is a threat to Mahratta rule and finds itself faced by a mercenary army just as professional, just as well armed and much larger. Paid for by the seemingly endless Indian wealth both the Company and the British forces headed by the inexperienced Sir Arthur Wellesley have got a fight on their hands. Meanwhile, Sharpe’s old enemy Sergeant Hakeswill has got something very unpleasant planned for him and, with the promise of a king’s ransom in gems he’s not alone. With the fighting heating up all around him Sharpe has his work cut out just to survive the next few months with his hide and his jewels intact.

This is my 19^th Sharpe book (I think!) and the series continues to entertain mightily. It was interesting seeing Sharpe in his pre-officer days (not spoiling anything here!) and, of course, without his seemingly permanent sidekick Sergeant Harper who he has yet to meet. As always, despite his lowly birth Sharpe has a habit of making friends in high or at least higher places who can both help and shield him along his road. Here it is the bluff Scot Colonel McCandless who provides this support. Sharpe is here very much at the earliest stages of his fighting career and even wonders if he can stomach the inevitable death and destruction he is riding into. As any reader of the series already knows Sharpe need not have worried overly much. Dropped into a life or death situation he chose life – passionately, bloodily and (almost to his own astonishment) joyfully. As pretty much always with Sharpe novels this follows the formula of initiating event (the, in this case fictional, massacre), small battle (the siege of Ahmednuggur), large battle (Assaye) and complicating sub-plot (Hakeswill). Apart from the existence of Sharpe himself and a few other minor characters the story follows actual events and the battles happen pretty much as they did in 1803 including some of the more minor but memorable incidents. Naturally there is a woman, French this time, who falls into Sharpe’s bed (at least briefly) but I didn’t find Simone Joubert a particularly memorable character. Overall this was a good solid read and I enjoyed it greatly. Naturally, being me, it piqued my interest about Britain’s role in India during that time and especially the role of the East India Company in the events portrayed in the book. Luckily for me I had just the source to feed my need to know such things – and that’s coming next. One more thing which interested me. At one point a group of British cavalry approached Sharpe carrying the ‘new’ Union flag (only called a JACK when it’s on the back of a boat as I keep reminding people!) which, in its present form, was adopted in 1801. I do love details like this. Recommended for all historic combat buffs.  

Just Finished Reading: Sharpe’s Battle by Bernard Cornwell (FP: 1995) [387pp]

Spanish-Portuguese border, 1811. Lost in the hills Sharpe and his men stumble upon a duo of French cavalrymen in the act of raping a young Spanish women. Disgusted by this all too common behaviour and the fact that the men’s unit had killed old men, women and children in the local village Sharpe orders that the men be shot. Despite being outside his authority to do so Sharpe’s men eagerly move to comply. When the enemy’s commanding officer appears to bargain for his men’s return Sharpe ignores him and orders the firing squad to proceed. Vowing revenge the French officer, Brigadier-General Guy Loup, determines to humiliate Sharpe in front of his men before he kills him. Sharpe has made a formidable enemy. Sent to command a dilapidated Portuguese fort it presents Loup with an ideal opportunity for revenge. Suffering heavy losses Sharpe is reprimanded and is told that he will be court-martialled for political reasons to save important Anglo-Spanish relations and that being demoted is nothing personal. The only way out is to perform an act of such spectacular bravery that any trial would either be a formality or dropped all together. The only problem Sharpe can see is doing something brave enough to be noticed and surviving to tell the tale. Luckily for Sharpe an opportunity is about to be presented to him. Wellington’s army is in a precarious position and if they lose the upcoming battle they lose the war – and probably their lives.

This is the 12^th book in the Sharpe series and my 18^th Sharpe book (I think!). Obviously I’ve not been reading them in 100% order but that’s not totally required. Following the usual pattern of opening incident, small battle followed by major battle (not all Sharpe novels are like this but the pattern is repeated more often than not I think) this is a great romp showing all of Sharpe’s – and Cornwell’s – strengths and few of his, admittedly few, faults. The opening incident in the massacred village is suitable gruesome and the baddie, Loup, is suitably nasty enough to elicit a cacophony of ‘boo’s’ off-page every time he enters the frame. Supported by a group of elite cavalry dedicated to hunting partisans they make a suitably tough nemesis to throw at Sharpe. Again as usual there’s a strong female character, the beautiful but traitorous Dona Juanita, who likes to dress in the uniforms of the men she’s slept with. Apparently she has a very large wardrobe. She’s definitely an interesting character if rather distasteful. The small battle, at the old fort, is both intense and fraught but the larger battle at the end of the novel is quite something – as well as being largely based on fact. A mixture of street fighting and a slow tactical retreat on the battlefield (which was wonderful to ‘watch’ and must have been very annoying to the French) was very exciting to experience – although probably not that enjoyable to take part in. Also, as usual, the dialogue is sparkling. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if conversations in the novel actually took place on the battlefield. They have a ‘feel’ of the authentically laconic.

As always these books make me want to know more about the actual conflict – both the wider Napoleonic War and the Peninsula campaigns in particular – so I’m looking towards that. This leaves four more books to read plus another one to be published this year in hardback. I’ll be waiting for it in paperback though. There’s no hurry really with others in the ‘to read’ pile. Definitely a fun read and recommended for all 19^th century war fans. 

Just Finished Reading: Clarissa Oakes by Patrick O’Brian (FP: 1992) [256pp]

The Pacific Ocean, 2 days out from the penal colony at Botany Bay, Australia, early 19^th Century. Captain Jack Aubrey is not happy, not at all. One source of the unhappiness is clear to him – spending any time in Botany Bay. The other, at least for the moment, escapes him. After years aboard the Surprise, a vessel he knows well and loves more, something is….. off. He can’t place his finger on it but something is most assuredly wrong with the feel of the ship. Even the officers are behaving oddly. Then all is made clear and Jack is no longer unhappy. He’s furious. Not only has midshipman William Oakes smuggled a stowaway on board (and a woman!) but the officers and crew knew about it and kept it from him. As the Surprise is no longer under Admiralty regulations there is only so much he can do about the situation but still, it rankles. To make matters worse they are being hotly pursued by the British cutter Éclair. Convinced that the pursuit is to retrieve the stowaway Jack ensures that Oakes marries the woman in question to put an end to things. Naturally things are never that simple. The cutter carries dispatches (and personal mail!) regarding a privateer flying the American flag harassing British whalers. Sent in pursuit Jack is prevented from disposing of his stowaway and her new husband on the nearest inhabited island (or any passing British ship heading home). Forced now to entertain Mrs Oakes on board Jack discovers a young woman of surprising education and pleasing looks. His very good friend, ship’s surgeon and intelligence officer, Stephen Maturin discovers something else about her – she has information about a highly placed person with Bonapartist inclinations, information that must reach England.

This was my second Patrick O’Brian book picked up somewhere at random. I’d previously read ‘Far Side of the World’ (following seeing the movie) so had a good idea of what I was letting myself in for. Actually I was surprised that there was a lot less nautical terms scattered through this novel than I remember in his earlier work – or maybe I’m just getting used to jibs and studding sails? This is actually the 15^th book in the Jack Aubrey series with ‘Far Side’ being his 10^th. I really need to start back at the beginning especially as the 2^nd book has recently come into my possession. Anyway, at first I was unsure what to make of this novel. Most of the plot – well over half – revolves around the eponymous lady in question: Clarissa herself. At first I thought she was some kind of sociopath and was at Botany Bay for a host of horrible crimes. Criminal she definitely was but her back story was a very interesting and intriguing one. As a character she was a real gem – once you understood her a bit more fully. I think I’ll remember her for quite some time. The sub-plot (or at least one of them) revolved around a traitor in the British establishment with definite French sympathies. To be honest I’ve never given this aspect of the Napoleonic conflict much thought. Sure there would be spies on the ground ferreting out upcoming moves but traitors – especially in the establishment – had never crossed my mind, not once! Although quite a short book this is a delightful read giving an insight into life on board a small(ish) ship of the time and some of the events in the Pacific and on various chains of islands scattered throughout. I’m looking forward to wrapping myself deeper into the experiences of Aubrey & Maturin series – all 20 books of them! (not counting the ‘unfinished’ novel published after the authors death). Recommended for those who like their salt in the air and the smell of gunpowder. 

Just Finished Reading: Sharpe’s Fury by Bernard Cornwell (FP: 2006) [371pp]

Cadiz, Spain 1811. Only the single port of Cadiz remains free from French occupation. In its parliament arguments rage as to the way ahead. One faction wants to take up the offer of continued British help and retake their country. The other wants to make an accommodation with Napoleon and move with France against the British. The balance is delicate. Britain needs to victory to show the Spanish that they can beat the seemingly unstoppable French armies. The last thing Britain needs is a diplomatic scandal but one is about to break and throw everything into chaos. The head of the British delegation in Cadiz has been foolish – very foolish. He has become entangled with a beautiful woman (who is not his wife) and has even more foolishly sent her compromising letters that have fallen into the hands of Britain’s enemies in the Spanish parliament. Enter Richard Sharpe. Tasked with recovering the letters he is told he must be discrete, that he must not under any circumstances cause a diplomatic incident, that he must not threaten, harm or kill anyone and that he must respect Spanish property. Fortunately the death and destruction that usually follows Sharpe like an over attentive puppy will be forgiven – just so long as his mission is successful.

This is quite a different Sharpe novel than I’ve been used to lately (my 17^th I believe). Although there is a small skirmish at the beginning and a few short encounters early on, along with a much bigger battle at the end which Sharpe and his men are only tangentially involved in, most of the story takes place in Cadiz itself with Sharpe acting ‘covertly’ or at least as covertly as Sharpe can. He’s picked for the mission because he’s the only man available that the higher-ups can trust. So he does his best – which is, as both the reader and Wellington knows only too well – is very good indeed. It’s just that Richard is a bit more direct than most of his superiors would like. As usual in these tales Sharpe has a bumbling senior officer who tries to do him harm – at least as far as his career goes – and some ‘love interest’ which, as usual is well handled and often funny. The dialogue is sparkling and adds a whole additional level to the fun of reading Cornwell’s work. Although not really a stellar example of a Sharpe novel this is a solid piece of historical/Napoleonic fiction and is much fun to read. Once again I am reminded that most of my knowledge of the Peninsular War is derived from Sharpe novels. I really need to address that at some point! Recommended.

Just Finished Reading: Sharpe’s Escape by Bernard Cornwell (FP: 2004) [443pp]

Portugal, 1810. While politicians debated the prosecution, and the cost, of the war with France in Parliament they had sent the Duke of Wellington to Portugal to show the flag and, if necessary, leave from Lisbon in an orderly fashion. No one expected him to fight and no one certainly expected him to win against Napoleon’s generals. Wellington, however, had other ideas. He was certainly willing to fight – given the ground of his choosing but he knew that, with the forces at his disposal – both the known quantity of the British army and the as yet unknown one of the retrained Portuguese one – wouldn’t allow him too much latitude in any conflict. But he knew of the enemy’s weakness: their logistics. Their supply train was both long and arduous running as it did through territory occupied by local guerrilla bands. So through necessity the French, as much as possible, lived off the land. Wellington meant to stop that and that was were Captain Richard Sharpe and his men came in. Sharpe was tasked, along with every other British officer, to deny the enemy any chance of acquiring food and drink in their slow pursuit of the Allied forces as they slowly retreated to Lisbon. But, where there is retreat there is opportunity – at least for those with the guts and the avarice to take the chance of dealing with the desperate French army for the offer of gold. When Sharpe foils such a plan he makes a deadly enemy who dedicates himself to Sharpe’s painful and permanent demise.

This is my first Sharpe novel in FOUR years (how time flies!) and I’d forgotten just how entertaining they are. First there is the authors command [grin] of the battlefield. Not only does he understand the actual campaign itself (which translates mostly faithfully – with the usual artist licence, this is fiction after all) but the ‘tone’ feels right in the relationship between officers and men and the inevitable issues along the chain of command. Along with the, as ever, brilliant soldiers dialogue it quickly suspends disbelief and immerses you in the life of the novel. Admittedly now, after 16 of the Sharpe novels under my belt (and with a 17^th already in the review pile) it did feel, almost throughout the whole reading experience, like coming home. It was both a delightful and comforting experience. The two actual battles – a large one near the start and an element of a shorter one near the end – were both interesting and exciting as Sharpe (later on) got his ‘mojo’ back and cleverly kicked some French arse. But between the battles most of the book revolved around a confinement (hence the title of the book) followed by a return to the lines across hostile territory. Along that journey we are introduced (or reintroduced) to a Portuguese officer - Captain Jorge Vicente - who knew Sharpe previously and what has to be one of my favourite subsidiary characters in a Sharpe novel for a while – the English governess Sarah Fry who was a brilliant invention and I loved to see her go through the experience of confinement with Sharpe, Harper and Vicente, escape and grow throughout the rest of the journey to Lisbon. She most definitely made me smile (and often laugh out loud) every time she appeared on the page! Overall this was a cracking read. Being a war novel there is a deal of fighting, killing and dying and some of it is passing brutal – especially where Sharpe’s enemy Luis Ferreira is concerned – who is a NASTY piece of work -  but those who have read Sharpe before know that his enemies do not prosper, oh they do not…. I had a great deal of fun re-familiarising myself with Richard Sharpe and will endeavour to finish the series this year. Definitely recommended.

Just Finished Reading: Wellington by S G P Ward (FP: 1963) [146pp]

Arthur Wellesley, known to posterity as the Duke of Wellington, is most famous for being the head of the combined forces that ultimately defeated Napoleon Bonaparte at Waterloo. However, he did not spring onto the world stage from nowhere. Joining the army in 1787, “by custom reserved for the not so bright younger sons”, he was initially posted to Dublin in a junior staff position before being sent to India in 1797 where his elder brother Richard had just become Governor-General. Involved in various military campaigns Wellesley soon amassed a reputation as a talented strategist and logistician. Returning to England with his brother in 1805 he applied for a further commission and was briefly involved in the war with Denmark in 1807 before being transferred to Portugal in 1808 to prosecute the war against France. Finally expelling the French from Portugal, Wellington pushed on into Spain and subsequently into France itself. The rest, as they say is history, culminating (at the pinnacle of Napoleon’s 100 days after his return to France and command of the French forces) in the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. After that….. Wellington did not fade into obscurity. After his successful finale of the Napoleonic Wars he spent some time reorganising and modernising the Army as Master-General of the Ordnance – despite being an arch conservative – before becoming more involved in government despite his reluctance to do so and the sea change from command to compromise eventually becoming Prime Minister in 1828. As PM he was intimately involved in the Catholic Emancipation Act but fell from power in November 1830 over the rising appeal to increase the voting franchise which he was adamantly against.

Despite being a very short work this slim book packed a LOT in. I knew something of Wellington’s early years and was aware of his time in India (partially through the works of Bernard Cornwell) but wasn’t fully aware at just how much he shone in command there. Of course his big challenge was in the Peninsula war where, despite being expected to fail, he exceeded all expectations by not only holding on to Portugal – a seemingly impossible task – but by taking the fight into Spain and subsequently onto Napoleons home turf. It can credibly be argued that Wellington’s successes in Portugal gave the British government enough ammunition to continue with an unpopular and expensive war against the French. Rather surprisingly the author covers his most famous battle – Waterloo – in a mere 6 pages as it “is so familiar it hardly bears repeating”. But what I found particularly interesting is his post-war political career of which I knew almost nothing except that he was, briefly at least, Prime Minister (twice indeed but the second time for only 23 days as ‘caretaker’ in Robert Peel’s absence). His role in Catholic Emancipation – of which more about later – was quite fascinating especially for someone so bound by tradition. All in all this was a surprisingly interesting book. It had, like so many others, been on my shelves for many years unread and unloved and I’m glad I finally got around to it prompted by my musings on reading about British Prime Ministers. Recommended if you can find a copy and more PM’s to come. 

Just Finished Reading: Waterloo – The History of Four Days, Three Armies and Three Battles by Bernard Cornwell (FP: 2014)

The end of the Napoleonic Wars in 1815 heralded in a century of European peace only shattered in 1914 by the start of the First World War. But first a monumental battle needs to be fought. On one side a resurgent Napoleon Bonaparte arguably one of the greatest military minds of all-time leading some of the best troops that the Continent had at the time. Opposing him was a hastily thrown together coalition of Anglo-Dutch and Prussian forces led by the Duke of Wellington, undefeated legend of British arms and a genius of the defensive battle, and the indomitable 71 year old Prince von Blucher. Despite both being heavily involved in the years long conflict Napoleon and Wellington had never actually met on the battlefield before. No matter what happened on that day in the summer of 1815 it was going to be an historic occasion. If Napoleon won then Europe would be plunged into a new round of wars until the mad-dog of Europe was finally brought to heel. If the Allied armies won then it would be a final end to war on the Continent and the start of the long desired peace. On paper at least Napoleon had the greatest chance of prevailing. He had the larger force and could engage the Allies almost anywhere. The Allies meanwhile had to guard a large area and await the French armies move and react swiftly to it. Two early engagements at Ligny (which I was unaware of) and Quatre-Bras (which I knew about) heralded the French advance and the fighting there, plus the oddly lacklustre pursuit, allowed the Anglo-Dutch army to retreat in good order and set up defences near the small hamlet of Waterloo. The Prussians meanwhile had retreated temporarily away from Wellington and moved to join him as he awaited the French assault. If Napoleon could defeat the British first and then turn their attention to the Prussians France might yet be saved. But it was a big if and a considerably gamble for the French. But what is war except a gamble with everything to play for.

I had been looking forward to reading this book for some time now. I had hoped to read it around the 200th anniversary in June 2015 but life kind of got in the way. So here we are almost 2 years later. So it goes. Anyway, knowing the author as I do from reading 14 of his Sharpe series and much else besides I expected something special and I was not to be disappointed. Despite being reasonably familiar with the battle, both from school (Waterloo is, after all, right up there with Agincourt as an vitally important victory over an historic enemy) and from a number of books on the subject, I found myself both entranced by the telling of the tale and by the numerous little details that the author brought to life during his sparkling narrative. His inclusion of letters written home not long after the battle as well as diary entries from all sides (plus non-combatant observers) makes the battle feel both up close and personal. I particularly liked how he did not concentrate on those ‘merely’ directing the battle but also drew on the experiences of the officers and fighting men doing the killing on that stifling June day a little over 200 years ago. Interestingly the author repeatedly mentions that the exact details of the battle, one of the most written about and analysed battles of the modern age, are and are likely to remain open to question. No one person or group of people could see all of the battlefield at any one time and most were too busy fighting (and attempting to stay alive) to make detailed notes of events as they happened. Pocket watches were few and far between so even the times of various assaults cannot be determined with any accuracy. The other thing that really stood out to me was the sheer contingency of it all. It is easy to think, with the advantage of 20:20 hindsight, that things happened in the only way they could. Yet the author clearly shows, time and again, that orders were misunderstood or simply ignored, that tired and sometimes angry men made both good and bad decisions that later proved to be decisive on a Continental scale. He showed that random death, muskets being barely accurate beyond around 200 yards, or injury changed chains of command forcing new commanders to make different decisions and pivotal moments that won (or lost) engagements. The events of the day were anything but orderly, planned or worked out as intended. The battle was, in its essence, a mess once the killing had begun. The winner was the commanding officer who made the least mistakes, responded quickly enough to situations as they developed and was, as Napoleon rightly recognised, lucky on the day. Fortunately for the Allies Napoleon’s luck ran out on that 18th June and his forces were defeated and peace reigned in Europe for another 100 years. But it had been close, damned close.

This is certainly a must read for anyone interested in the Napoleonic Wars and of Waterloo in particular. Cornwell writes very well indeed (as you might expect with all that practice!) and knows his subject very well indeed. Even if you are already familiar with the tale I bet, like me, that you will learn more from this lavishly illustrated volume. One thing I must do after reading this is to read more about the Duke himself. He does seem to have been a fascinating character who deserves to be delved into much, much more that I have so far. Watch this space. Highly recommended.  

Next up in History (after a one book general romp across Europe) is a look at Britain's less that 'Special' relationship with America.

Just Finished Reading: Sharpe’s Siege by Bernard Cornwell (FP: 1987)

Early 1814. After a long and bloody conflict the Allied Powers are finally beginning to invade France itself. As plans are being drawn up for the next stage in the campaign a rumour emerges that could change the course of the war and save many thousands of lives. The city of Bordeaux it appears is ready to rise against Napoleon. If it does so it could open another front and force the Emperor into submission. Tasked to find out if the rumours are true a Royal Navy officer sees his chance of lasting fame and instant promotion. Only one problem lies in his way – the sparsely defended fort of Teste de Buch. To take it his marines need help from the deservedly famous Green Jackets and their most notorious office Major Richard Sharpe. But there is more going on in the background that this apparently simple amphibious assault on a largely abandoned fortification deep behind enemy lines. Questions quickly become apparent over the reliability of their new French allies as well as the competence of the Naval Captain in charge of the landing force. But everything previously suspected becomes moot when Sharpe and 137 men are left behind, supposed dead or captured, and their only port of refuge is a slighted fort and their only friend an American pirate.

I think this is my 14th Sharpe novel which says quite a lot in itself. As a character he is brilliantly written and lots of fun to ‘watch’ in action. Having struggled up from the ranks (not completely unheard of in the real 19th century) on fighting skill alone he is a thorn in the side of everyone in the series who think that breeding is of more important than talent or skill. Sharpe is far more 20th century than 19th which is why he’s a hero from today’s perspective. The plot follows a predictable Cornwell vibe – Sharpe is lied to and manipulated by forces well above his pay grade. He is sent into harm’s way by men of better breeding but far less ability, equips himself brilliantly, is faced with an impossible situation, beats the odds (not without pain or loss), makes a few more enemies along the way – some of whom end up suitably dead at his hand, and inches himself further up the army ladder. Although somewhat predicable the book was entertainingly predictable, indeed highly so. The thing that made me laugh out loud more than once was the brilliant dialogue. The author either knows the military mind or has spent a fair amount of time in the company of military men. The conversation in this novel not only sparkled but felt very real – irreverent, cynical and often brutally to the point. In particular I loved a conversation between Sharpe and his 2nd in command regarding the inconvenience of dragging around a French fop with them. To which his Captain offered to ‘have an accident’ with his rifle! Sharpe regretfully declined the offer but appreciated the sentiment – as did I! I cannot recommend this series too highly. I’ve enjoyed every one of the books so far and intend to slowly savour the final 5-6 in my collection. Highly recommended for any lover of military fiction or just a cracking good read.  

Just Finished Reading: Admirals – The Naval Commanders who Made Britain Great by Andrew Lambert (FP: 2008)

Being an island a mere 26 miles off mainland Europe it should come as no surprise that not only does Britain have a long (indeed very long) maritime history but that, over the centuries, we have fought the other great European nations at sea. To do so effectively the British not only required to produce the ships to fight in and the captains to sail them but over and above everything else they needed the admirals to organise the fleet(s) into effective fighting units. No matter how good individual ships or captains became they would be at a huge disadvantage without efficient organisation at fleet level. The admirals outlined in this impressive volume did just that. The ten men covered here range from gifted amateur to steely professional, from commoner to royalty and covers a period of the last 400 years from Henry VIII to the end of the Second World War. Most of the names, if not the wars, were new to me. Some I recognised, Samuel Hood for example, because of ships named after them which fought in later conflicts. Others, such as John Fisher, David Beatty and Andrew Cunningham, I knew well enough from previous readings of WW1 and WW2 accounts. Of course what did surprise me was a particular absence – Lord Nelson. Thinking about it though I can understand the omission. Nelson was, and still is, a towering figure in British naval history. Adding a chapter in this volume would add little to the countless books and articles written about the great man and would have probably diverted this book away from its intended trajectory.

This is not to say that Nelson is forgotten or is relegated to the function of a ghost wandering the corridors of the Admiralty in Whitehall. Nelson is in fact mentioned time and time again. The admirals who saw action before Nelson was born helped him become a great commander and leader of men. He learnt both from his predecessor’s mistakes and successes. The admirals who followed him learnt from the great man to be aggressive in the face of the enemy and that every effort should be made to annihilate the enemy’s fleet. Only when such annihilation is complete can British interests be safe and trade flow. The lifeblood of the country travels by sea and only total command of that medium, brought about by the destruction of enemy shipping, ensures the survival of the nation. This was true when we fought the Dutch, the Spanish and the French. Each victory over their fleets pushed Britain one more step forward to world domination and to the possession of a global Empire the like of which had not been seen before or since. Of course this all came crashing down at the very height of British sea power at the end of WW2 when the emergent US Navy took centre stage as the most powerful maritime force in the world. But that, as they say, is another story.

Told with great knowledge and a great deal of admiration and affection for the naval service this is a must read for anyone interested in the rise of British power over the last 400-500 years. Full of expert analysis of the events that shaped the nation and the men that helped in the shaping this kept me interested from beginning to end even when the author delved into the intricacies of political manoeuvring both in parliament and the admiralty that often stymied rapid enough progress in an ever changing world. Definitely recommended for the naval history buffs out there.

Just Finished Reading: A Brief History of British Sea Power – How Britain became Sovereign of the Seas by David Howarth (FP: 1974)

You might think that 450 pages really doesn’t constitute a brief history of anything. But when you consider that the British maritime adventures extend back arguably 1500 years you can start to realise just how brief some of this volume needs to be. Luckily for most of the first 1000 years or so the British impact on the naval world was fairly minimal with the odd early voyage of exploration by Irish monks and, of course, the regular invasions the islands suffered from the time the Romans left to the final true invasion in 1066. Even for centuries after this cataclysmic event British sailors tended to stay close to shore either fishing the abundant seas or attempting to defend the land against would-be aggressors. Only with the on-again off-again conflict with France did British sailors gradually come of age but even here the ships where, by and large, cargo ships either converted to ships of war or troop transports. Only with the advent of reliable cannon did true warships come into the picture and only with the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588 did the British navy in a recognisable form show its capabilities and finally arrive on a world stage.

But, as is right and proper, power does not always come from the point of a gun. British ships especially during and after the age of Elizabeth roamed the world looking for new sources of trade and new peoples to trade with. The also searched, in vain, for the fabled North-West Passage that was reputed to link the great Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Whilst much was discovered in the frozen north no passage worth its name was ever discovered and many sailors lost their lives in the search. Meanwhile as ships of trade fanned out across the globe increasingly accurate charts began to be developed assisted with the new clockwork technology which enabled the accurate determination of Longitude.

As British maritime power and confidence increased it was only a matter of time before the new kid on the block began to rub against the great naval powers of the day. Spain had already been humbled and was in terminal decline but first the Dutch and then the French had to be bested at sea. By the time of Trafalgar in 1805 this had become a reality and Britain became the pre-eminent maritime power and stayed there for the next hundred years ushering in the age of Pax Britannica. Not only did British warships effectively eliminate the scourge of piracy from most of the world’s oceans they also helped to remove the slave trade. But the greatest contribution endures in the millions of detailed charts produced during this time of unprecedented peace which are still in use today in many navies across the globe. Along with the scientific expeditions – including those undertaken by Charles Darwin – these are one of Britain’s lasting contributions to the world. It is here, in the exercise of soft power rather than the use of gunships to crush any opposition, that Britain truly became the sovereign of the seas.

Oddly the authors saves the height of British sea power for a single final chapter covering both the First and Second World Wars followed by seemingly terminal decline (originally published in 1974 it obviously makes no reference to the naval operation to retake the Falkland Islands and the growth of a new far more powerful navy since then). Well known highlights of both World Wars, Jutland, The Graf Spee, Bismark and Tirpitz are noted but where probably considered to be too well known (and too often written about elsewhere) to need much retelling. Yet this did not detract from the overall thrust and tone of this often fascinating book. The narrative was primarily about the journey of how Britain became, however briefly, not only a power to be reckoned with but the only power to beat across all of the oceans of the world. Such power inevitably comes at a price and it became one that could no longer be afforded after the costs of the Second World War.

This is a well written (if occasionally – and understandably – a little too patriotic or jingoistic for more modern cynical audiences), detailed and knowledgeable account of the rise of British dominance of the oceans. Despite the fact that this has become somewhat dated since its original publication it still provides a useful introduction and overview to a huge subject. Recommended.

Just Finished Reading: A Brief History of Fighting Ships – Ships of the Line and Napoleonic sea battles 1793 – 1815 by David Davies

I see to have developed quite an interest in naval history of late. I can probably date it back to reading the Roman naval trilogy by John Stack and, a little later, Bernard Cornwell’s description of Trafalgar. So it should come as no great surprise that I snapped up this book the moment I saw it and that I enjoyed it a great deal.

Davies is certainly a man who knows his stuff. Not only is he a sailor himself but he is also an ex-military engineer with a passion for all things Napoleonic and it shows in his writing. He is a man with an excellent grasp of his subject and possessed of the wit and skill to make even the apparently mundane details of the battleships-of-the-line (shortened to ‘battleships’ when they ceased to fight in rigid line formation) seem more than merely interesting. Here’s a few of the things I learnt:

At the time the two sides of the ship where Larboard and Starboard – Port only came into use from the middle of the 19^th century.

It took 80 acres of (preferably English) oak trees to build a single 74 gun ship.

Ships were built of oak, rather than the much more rot resistant teak, because of one very good reason. The majority of casualties in a sea battle were caused by flying splinters. Wounds made from teak splinters invariably turned sceptic whilst those from oak did not.

Rather surprisingly the smaller frigates where almost never fired upon by the battleships unless fired upon first. As a broadside from a capital ship could reduce the much smaller frigate to match wood in seconds such an engagement was considered unsporting.

Whilst the first quarter or so of the book dealt with the details of ship construction, weapons and so on the rest covered some of the crucial engagements of the period. Starting with the somewhat less than ‘Glorious’ First of June (1794) engagement of French forces protecting a much need grain shipment from America (then very much in favour of Revolutionary France), to more famous – and militarily significant – encounters at Cape St Vincent, Camperdown, The Nile, Copenhagen and (of course) Trafalgar in 1805. Each battle is brought to life with detailed maps showing the movements of the fleets involved and the tactical changes which eventually brought victory after victory against Spanish, Dutch and French opponents. At the heart of these developments were classic British heroes such as Admiral Lord Nelson who inspired a generation of intelligent and daring captains.

Written with verve and style this was a fascinating read which really put you at the heart of some of the most important battles of that time, battles which helped to defeat Napoleon on the European mainland and made the Royal Navy the world’s premier floating fighting force. A must read for anyone with an interest in the period or in naval affairs.