Seize the Fire

Heroism, Duty, and Nelson's Battle of Trafalgar

by Adam Nicolson

On Sale: 08/29/2006

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Seize the Fire

Heroism, Duty, and Nelson's Battle of Trafalgar

by Adam Nicolson

On Sale: 08/29/2006

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About the Book

In October 1805 Lord Horatio Nelson, the most brilliant sea commander who ever lived, led the British Royal Navy to a devastating victory over the Franco-Spanish fleets at the great battle of Trafalgar. It was the foundation of Britain's nineteenth-century world-dominating empire. Adam Nicolson's Seize the Fire is not only a close and revealing portrait of a legendary hero in his final action but also a vivid account of the brutal realities of battle; it asks the questions: Why did the winners win? What was it about the British, their commanders and their men, their beliefs and their ambitions, that took them to such overwhelming victory?

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Critical Praise

“Elegant and imaginative.” - Jonathan Yardley, Washington Post

“The reader will find nothing dull about this sparkling work...majestic, poetic and, at base, authentic.” - Literary Review

“Vibrant and welcome addition to the admittedly already large library of Nelsonia.” - Jonathan Bouquet, The Observer

“A well-reasoned transoceanic rejoinder to Freeman’s Affairs of Honor, and a pleasure for fans of Aubrey and Hornblower.” - Kirkus Reviews

“Bold and provocative...Nicolson’s book stands out from amongst its rivals.” - Sunday Telegraph

“argued with vigour and written with grace, it is an illuminating piece of interpretive cultural history.” - Sunday Times (London)

“Nicolson’s eye for detail creates a compelling readability.” - Jonathan Mirsky, The Spectator (A Book of the Year)

“full of suspense and vivid, raw descriptions of the butchery...sublime writing” - The Scotsman

“Of the books marking the bicentenary of...Trafalgar, Adam Nicolson’s can claim to be one of the most original” - The Week

“strikingly original...Mr. Nicolson brings to life superbly the horror, devastation and gore of Trafalgar.” - The Economist

“Nicolson brilliantly characterises each navy - British, French, Spanish - as an expression of the countries to which they belonged...vivid” - Country Life

“Seize the Fire...is so ripping I faced the classic ocean-voyage quandary. Halfway through, my supply of pages dwindling, I started to ration...stirring, vividly written book.” - Independent on Sunday

“So ripping I faced the classic ocean-voyage quandary. Halfway through, my supply of pages dwindling, I started to ration.” - David Lipsky, New York Times Book Review

“A masterly reconstruction of this event.” - Christopher Hitchens, Atlantic Monthly

“A thrilling book.” - Bloomberg News