Trafalgar: Countdown to Battle, 1803-1805

by Alan Schom

Book Overview

Early on the morning of October 21st, 1805, the British Fleet, commanded by Admiral Lord Nelson, encountered the French navy a few miles off the Spanish coast near Cape Trafalgar. As it became clear that a fight was inevitable, the French and English ships drew into battle formation. Aboard his flagship Victory, Nelson offered his famous laconic signal to his seamen--"England expects that every man will do his duty"--and gave the order to fire. After...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0195075188
• ISBN13: 9780195075182
• Release Date: June 1992
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
• Length: 464 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.4" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Background to Trafalgar

This book by Alan Schom geared more toward the background history of the Battle of Trafalger and the working of Admiral Sir William Cornwallis who commanded the British Channel Fleet during the initial years of war against France. Schom doesn't get into the actual battle itself until the last part of the book so if you are looking for more complete account of the actual Battle of Trafalger, you should look for an another book. This book looked at the entire scope of the campaign from 1803 to Neslon's funeral in 1805.One good aspect of this book was that it gives a limelight to William Cornwallis, a hardy and highly skilled British admiral who held everything together and helped set up the situation for Horatio Nelson to take over and win the battle and campaign. Cornwallis have often been overlooked and shortchanged by many historians who previously have given him only lip service before moving on to glorious Nelson and his deeds.One bad aspects of this book was a near unchallenged disrespect and disdain the author have for Napoleon. What did this French Emperor do to Schom's ancestors that made the author so hostile? From what I read, it seem that entire defeat of the French fleet lies squarely on Napoleon's shoulders and if a French cabin boy trip over himself and began to shed tears, it was Napoleon's fault!! This author hates Napoleon to the bone.But overall, it was an interesting reading of the Trafalgar campaign, easy to read, nicely researched and presented (except when Napoleon get involve) and overall, a justice to Cornwallis.

If you read one book about Trafalgar, this should be it.

Alan Schom goes well beyond the traditional view of this decisive sea battle. While most historians give a reasonable tactical account of the action and its strategic importance in the history of the Napoleonic wars, Schom goes in depth exploring the minds of 18th Century Britons. His exporation of British politics, military development, and how these interact with affairs on the continent are intriguing. He also exposes readers to Admiral William Cornwallis who architected the events that gave Horatio Nelson the opportunity to deliver a death blow to the Combined Fleet. Even if you think you know a lot about Nelson and the Battle of Trafalgar, this book will fascinate you and hold your interest to the end.

A Gripping Depiction of an Authentic "Epic Sea Battle"

Curious about why the might of Napoleanic France could never bring England to her knees in the aborning years of the 19th century? Ever wonder why all of England owes a fanatical debt of eternal gratitude to Lord Viscount Horatio Nelson, Vice Admiral, that century's first true military "celebrity?" "Traflagar, Countdown to Battle" answers in eminently readable detail these and related queries about the events leading up to one heck of an authentic "epic sea battle." This is a book the serious history reader can enjoy for it's compactness and reference, while prodding the neophyte to potential further study. As a whole, "Countdown" describes the Royal Navy's critical role in keeping France's voracious Emperor and his mighty legions "safely" on the Continent - and thus away from England's shores. Equally enlightening are the subplots to this desperate action. The heart of the study reveals an unbeatable combination: The on-shore British Admiralty - a body of experienced fighting seamen - executing a flawless naval strategy over months and years, across Channel and seas; and the audacious at-sea Fleet commander, Lord Viscount Nelson. Nelson, famous and hero-hailed even before his capstone battle at Trafalgar, emerges naturally as "Countdown's" central figure of towering naval skill and puzzling vulnerabilities. Schom's portrayal of Nelson, a hugely successful commander in a navy full of battle-toughened winners, exposes the Admiral's passionate hatred for the French and his contempt for their Navy. It fairly discusses his human triumphs and human flaws. Schom whets the reader's appetite by recounting Nelson's agonizing months-long and oceans-crossing pursuit to bring the reluctant French Admiral Villenueve's fleet to battle. Along the way, the reader discovers enough personalities and naval trivia to set the final awful battle - where scores of heavily-armed ships hurled iron and shot at one another for five hours - in gripping relief. Historians and casual reader alike will appreciate Schom's description of the joy Nelson feels as he finally corners the French and their Spanish allies at the Spanish port of Cadiz in 1805. At Nelson's deadly thoroughness in formulating his bold plan - which annihilated the French threat to the British Isles. At Nelson's glee as his flagship "Victory" glides headlong and under galling fire into the very center of the combined French and Spanish line of battle as it sails - hopelessly overmatched - off Cape Trafalgar. Finally, at the height of Nelson's glory in the ghastly battle, the actions and events that immortalized the Lord Viscount, who, with the likes of Drake, Wellington, and Churchill, holds a dear and hard-earned place among England's military immortals and in the hearts of her people.