Seize the Fire
Heroism, Duty, and Nelson's Battle of Trafalgar
On Sale: 08/29/2006
Seize the Fire
Heroism, Duty, and Nelson's Battle of Trafalgar
On Sale: 08/29/2006
Format:
About the Book
“Strikingly original. . . . Mr. Nicolson brings to life superbly the horror, devastation, and gore of Trafalgar.”—The Economist
Adam Nicolson takes the great naval battle of Trafalgar, fought between the British and Franco-Spanish fleets in October 1805, and uses it to examine our idea of heroism and the heroic. A story rich with modern resonance, Seize the Fire reveals the economic impact of the battle as a victorious Great Britain emerged as a global commercial empire.
Nicolson not only vividly describes describes the brutal realities of battle but enters the hearts and minds of the men who were there. HIs masterful history is a portrait of a moment, a close and passionately engaged depiction of a frame of mind at a turning point in world history.
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.” — The Spectator
“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
-Resources
Product Details
- ISBN: 9780060753627
- ISBN 10: 0060753625
- Imprint: Harper Perennial
- On Sale: 08/29/2006
- Pages: 384
- List Price:18.50 CAD
- BISAC1 : HISTORY / Military / Naval
- BISAC2 : HISTORY / Europe / Great Britain
- BISAC3 : BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / Military
