clock … watching time, the only true currency

The pursuit of victory: the life and achievement of Horatio Nelson pursues a personage whose fictional counterparts have entertained me for years. After multiple readings of C.S. Forester’s Horatio Hornblower novels, and a pleasant perusal of the entire Aubrey-Maturin series, I could not miss the opportunity to learn the facts behind the legend. Roger Knight is a scholar, and The Economist crowed: “This superb work is the definitive Nelson biography.” I enjoyed it, especially the coverage (and maps & charts!) of the battles which made Nelson’s reputation.

If you’re looking for another opinion, “Commander of Sea, Myth and Tea Towel” is the NYTimes review.