The Nelson Touch

I found this for $1.99 on Amazon for Kindle and picked it up. I haven't read it yet, (I'm working on the Hunger Games trilogy) and I'm wondering if anyone else has read it and what people think of it. I didn't find a thread on this book, but apologize if I missed one.

If no one has read it, I'll be happy to post a review as soon as I'm done.

Joe

THE NELSON TOUCH, The Life and Legend of Horatio Nelson is an indepth biography of Nelson from his birth in September 1758 to his death aboard HMS Victory in October 1805. The author Terry Coleman was a career British foreign correspondent who, amongst other efforts, had written a "biographical study" of Thomas Hardy. THE NELSON TOUCH fits that definition as well.

Publisher's comments: Admiral Horatio Nelson captures our imagination like few other military figures. A mixture of tactical originality, raw courage, cruelty, and romantic passion. Nelson in action was daring and direct, a paramount naval genius. Now, in THE NELSON TOUCH Terry Coleman provides a superb portrait of Britian's most revered naval figure.
Here is a vivid account of Nelson's life, from his childhood and early career at sea--where a high-placed uncle helped speed his advancement to post captain -- to gripping accounts of his greatest sea battles........... What emerges is a man of strength of mind amounting to genius, frequently generous, always fascinated with women, often uneasy with his superior officers, and absolutely fearless. He was a ruthless commander, whose instinct was not just to defeat the enemy but to annihilate him."

This work was not published until 2005, by which time there were several credible books in print on the life and exploits of Horatio Nelson. However, in the authors own words, "this book has been a long time in the gestation"

I found it to be an interesting and easy read, possibly because I was already aware of much of the factual information it contained. The author's assertion that Nelson set out from day one to be a hero isn't that unusual for a young man striking out for a life of adventure. But that must be mixed with several other ingredients not always available at the right time and in the correct proportions. However, in Nelson's case -- they were there.

An insightful view of Nelson was provided by his mentor, and good friend for many years of his career, John Jervis/Earl St. Vincent. In his eighty year (nine years after the death of Nelson at Trafalgar) "scribbled a postscript: 'Animal courage was the sole merit of Lord Nelson, his private character most disgraceful in every sense of the word."

If you want a more indepth look at the "primo hero" of your HNF of that period, I recommend you find one of several available books on the life of Horatio Nelson. This is one of those books. I didn't find it a book to be read in one sitting, but rather taken afew chapters at a time.

It's in my library.