Only modern biographical dictionary of Nelson's navy Incorporates the latest research, with portraits of many officers Quick-reference summaries of each officer's career This new collection of short biographies tells of the heroic deeds of two hundred prominent officers who fought at sea through the wars against the French Republic and Empire. The circumstances of a war for national survival and social order put an end to the political divisions which had characterised the officer class of the Royal Navy in the preceding two centuries and produced a remarkable body of men whose competence, commitment and ability were to lead to Britain's complete command of the oceans; the most outstanding of these form the core of this book. Each biography, of around one thousand words, describes the events in these men's careers and sets their achievements within the context of the wars. Their early lives and promotions are detailed as well as their marriages and family lives. Indeed, the extraordinary web of personal and service relationships that emerges is one of the fascinating themes of the book; connections made a vast difference between languishing as a lieutenant or being remembered when a ship needed a commander. Drawing on contemporary and nineteenth-century sources the author has put together a fascinating collection of lives which make for rousing reading; but the details of promotions and other events will also make the book an important reference work for scholars and enthusiasts of the period. DR NICHOLAS TRACY is a highly-regarded historian of the age of Nelson with a number of distinguished works to his name including Nelson's Battles and the five-volume edited version of The Naval Chronicle, all published by Chatham.