An incomparable seaman; ferociously combative yet chivalrous; Edward Pellew might have served as the model for Patrick O’Brian’s Jack Aubrey. Edward Pellew; captain of the legendary Indefatigable; was quite simply the greatest British frigate captain in the age of sail. Left fatherless at age eight; with a penniless mother and five siblings; Pellew fought his way from the very bottom of the navy to fleet command. Victories and eye-catching feats won him a public following. Yet he had a gift for antagonizing his better-born peers; and he made powerful enemies. Redemption came with his last command; when he set off to do battle with the Barbary States and free thousands of European slaves. Opinion held this to be an impossible mission; and Pellew himself; leading from the front in the style of his contemporary Nelson; did not expect to survive. Pellew’s humanity; fondness for subordinates; and blind love for his family; and the warmth and intimacy of his letters; make him a hugely engaging figure. Stephen Taylor gives him at last the biography he deserves. 10 color plates; 3 black-and-white illustrations
#459414 in Books W.W. Norton Co 1995-11-17Ingredients: Example IngredientsOriginal language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.50 x .60 x 6.50l; .89 #File Name: 039303858096 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A Great Companion to the Aubrey-Maturin Novels!By RDDPatrick O'Brian's "Men-of-War: Life in Nelson's Navy" explores life in the Royal Navy during the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. By no means an exhaustive look at Nelson's Navy; O'Brian's book works best as a companion to his Aubrey-Maturin series as it explains how the watch system worked; the rigging of sails; and the weaponry aboard ships. O'Brian alternates between explanation and detailed descriptions of battles as examples of his subjects; bringing to bear the writing style he previously demonstrated in his novels. This volume also features paintings and illustrations from the period.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Interesting Context for O'Brian's GenreBy Tony MarraroConcise; well written guide to Nelson's navy that provided a bit of realism and historical context to understand the Aubrey series. I enjoyed the logical of progression through ships; guns; and men. You'll learn rates and rank; starboard from larboard; and what was contained in a midshipman's sea chest. Not particularly relevant today; but interesting and very helpful in understanding how and why these men (and women!) served in the Royal Navy.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Good introduction to Nelson's NavyBy G. JonesThis book is short; simply written; with good illustrations and photos. It gives a good introduction to the navy of Nelson's time--not a lot of detail; but this would be excellent for someone starting the Master and Commander series. It would also be good as an introduction for older children who have an interest in the subject.
