The James Caird is an unlikely hero; a 23-foot lifeboat that completed the most desperate and celebrated open boat voyage in history. On board were Ernest Shackleton; Tom Crean; and Frank Worsley; now some of the most recognized names in Antarctic and Polar literature/history. This is the story of that little boat from its commissioning by Worsley to its dramatic escape from Antarctica to its final resting place at Dulwich College in the UK.
#5221955 in Books 2011-04-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 7.72 x .67 x 5.16l; .0 #File Name: 1848312334256 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A Bigger Picture...By HMS WarspiteVeteran British historian Jeremy Black's 2010 "Waterloo" has been rather overlooked on this side of the Atlantic; which is unfortunate. Black provides a fresh and overdue larger perspective on the 1815 battle which ended Napoleon's reign as Emperor of France; and the cycle of European warfare initiated by the French Revolution.Most books on Waterloo tend to focus on the tactics of the battle; which indeed remain a source of sometimes furious academic controversy nearly 200 years on. Black wisely avoids them in favor of a wider context. His starting point is the status of 18th Century warfare and the impact of Napoleon's generalship. He proceeds by way of the strategic and operational aspects of the Waterloo campaign for France and for the Seventh Coalition; along the way establishing that Napoleon's political failures had probably pre-ordained the effects of the campaign. His account of the battle itself is concise and practical; with commonsense explanations for lingering questions of credit and blame for the fight at Mount St. Jean on 18 June 1815 (Black suggests Napoleon's best chance for a favorable operational outcome was lost on 17 June).Black's grasp of the topic is excellent and highly readable. The narrative is somewhat British-centric if still even-handed in its treatment of the adversaries. The concluding chapters on the historiography of Waterloo may be of less interest to the general reader. Black does include some interesting postscripts and well-recommended suggestions for further reading at the end. The book includes two maps but no illustrations. "Waterloo" is highly recommended to students of the battle and of the era of Napoleonic warfare.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Decent account; but not groundbreaking.By NAAMThough there is no shortage of books discussing the subject; Jeremy Black’s The Battle of Waterloo is a welcome addition. This is not because it provides the definitive account of the battle; but because Black places the importance of the battle in its broader historical context. He also points out some of the key differences between the French and British armies in relation to the changes that were taking place at that time. Indeed; one of the book’s central ideas is that often we are overawed by change; sometimes forgetting; in our desire to praise modernity and progress; that the British army was very much a product of the 18th century.Black starts out by focusing on the important changes in warfare in the eighteenth century. i.e. Massed firepower; living off the land; standardized artillery; promotion by merit; etc. He points out that change is synonymous with the French Revolutionary period; yet many of these ideas actually predate it. Whilst this is not a new thesis; it does help to frame his central argument.Also examined is Napoleon’s generalship during both the 1815 campaign and over the broader period of the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. This helps to give the reader an understanding of the role that circumstances played in Napoleon’s success. Next; Black examines the relative lack of change within the British Army of the period compared with the French and other armies. By doing this he makes the valuable point that the British army’s focus on firepower proved crucial in the defensive battles fought by Wellington in the Peninsular; and most importantly at Waterloo. Thus the army’s relative lack of change compared with the French; in some ways; was the best possible outcome in the circumstances.This brings the reader to the meat of the book: the battle. Black clearly sets out the political and military events following Napoleon’s return from exile to the battle itself. This is dealt with well. Black simply splits it into two parts; rather than treating the battle as a series of coordinated phases controlled by a central theme. What is also nice is to see a good chunk of text devoted to the events following the battle. Ultimately; Napoleon’s failure to gain support after the defeat it what ended the Napoleonic Wars. This is useful because most readers of this book will probably be familiar with the overall outcome; without knowing much about how events unfolded afterwards.Black’s book; without being groundbreaking; is a good read that places Waterloo in its full context. Further; Black describes the combat well; without detailing every gaiter button. He also makes clear that the appearance of progress should not be blinding to other issues. The one problem with the book is a complete lack of maps. However; I thoroughly recommend this to those looking to learn about the battle; or those looking for a fresh interpretation.0 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Item has not arrived.By stanItem was expected by Sept 23; latest; has not arrived as of Oct 7. Shipper has responded to email but no solution yet.
