Overview

"Seize, Burn, or Sink: The Thoughts and Words of Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson contains over 3,000 quotations from Sir Horatio Nelson, the most famous leader in British Naval history. Taken from both Nelson's official letters as well as his personal ones, the quotes presented within bring insight into the thoughts and character of the greatest fighting admiral who ever lived. Historian Steven Maffeo has carefully boiled down more than 4,000 letters and documents of Nelson's writing to single out the cream of Nelsonian commentary. Organized chronologically by topic, Nelson's ""cheerful, urgent but often wayward and usually unpunctuated stream of consciousness"" tackles everything from death and desertion to leadership and loyalty. A detailed index is also included for readers wishing to know Nelson's opinion on a specific individual, event, or place. Seize, Burn, or Sink is a goldmine of information and insight on this extraordinary man who has continued to capture the imagination of individuals for generations. Readers and historians engrossed with the age-of-sail and the late eighteenth century are finally presented with a firsthand look at Nelson's words gathered in one convenient source. Moreover, the addition of a chronology of Lord Nelson's life, a bibliography, and maps and photos further enhance the usefulness of Sir Horatio's quotes."

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9780810857810

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Reviews

Two hundred years ago admirals had no staff; yet, more time. In addition to his duties of leading his fleet, an admiral was also his nation's roving ambassador. Correspondence took months to get anywhere, so he was the 'man on the spot' who made political decisions and commitments wherever his ships happened to call. Riding their flagships around for months-even years-at sea, admirals spent much of their days hunched over a desk reading correspondence and writing letters with goose-quill pens; letters to everyone: their superiors, their families, other captains, government officials high-and-low-officials of their own nation as well as of the various ports in which their ships might call. One of these most famous, and victorious, admirals was Horatio Nelson-and he was an admiral who had a way with words. Historian Steven E. Maffeo has mined his voluminous correspondence to give us the nuggets in this book-the best of Nelson; or, if you will, Nelson unexpurgated. You will find this book a great read and a reference you will return to often, in the years ahead, when you need just the right phrase. I recommend it to you. -- Stephen Coonts, New York Times best-selling author of Flight of the Intruder, Fortunes of War, Combat, Deep Black, and America It is excellent that we have so much of the thoughts and words of Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson. Royal Navy and Maritime Book Reviews ...a fascinating compendium...an essential reference... Naval History Magazine, Vol. 21, No. 5 (October 2007) Maffeo (US Air Force Academy Library, Colorado) has prepared a large collection of the most famous remarks by iconic British Admiral Nelsen (1758-1805). Drawing from letters and other documents in a number of sources, he chose quotations for their interesting turn of phrase and their insight into his thoughts on a particular topic. Following the short quotations are several longer famous passages and other documents. Reference and Research Book News, May 2007 [It] does provide a conveniently arranged single collection of quotations from his letters, a good introduction for those who are beginning to explore the subject, and who will, it is hoped, be sufficiently enthused to explore the letters Nicolas and White have edited, and read the biographies for the full context, as the author makes plain... To supplement the quotations there is a very detailed chronology of Nelson's life, useful to beginners and experts alike, [and] brief biographies of Nelson's principal correspondents provide a quick, helpful reference. War In History, July 2009 ...an invaluable reference tool. Rob Jerrard's Royal Navy Website This unusual but especially valuable anthology has collected and collated a large and significant part of Nelson's often ptiy literary outpourings. While, of course, carefully selected, these writings are a pleasure to read-all 600 plus pages of them!. They are also very effective in painting a very personal portrait of the great man himself. Ausmarine, July 2010

Two hundred years ago admirals had no staff; yet, more time. In addition to his duties of leading his fleet, an admiral was also his nation's roving ambassador. Correspondence took months to get anywhere, so he was the 'man on the spot' who made political decisions and commitments wherever his ships happened to call. Riding their flagships around for months even years at sea, admirals spent much of their days hunched over a desk reading correspondence and writing letters with goose-quill pens; letters to everyone: their superiors, their families, other captains, government officials high-and-low officials of their own nation as well as of the various ports in which their ships might call. One of these most famous, and victorious, admirals was Horatio Nelson and he was an admiral who had a way with words. Historian Steven E. Maffeo has mined his voluminous correspondence to give us the nuggets in this book the best of Nelson; or, if you will, Nelson unexpurgated. You will find this book

Author Information

"Steven E. Maffeo is currently Associate Director of the U.S. Air Force Academy Library in Colorado; the Director of the part-time Postgraduate Intelligence Program at the U.S. National Defense Intelligence College (NDIC); and with the rank of Captain, the Commanding Officer of Navy Reserve Unit NDIC 0966. He is also visiting history instructor for the ""Age of Nelson""-era frigrate USS Constitution in Boston MA, as well as the author of Most Secret and Confidential: Intelligence in the Age of Nelson."

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