A History of the Royal Navy: Napoleonic Wars by Martin Robson


A History of the Royal Navy: Napoleonic Wars
Title : A History of the Royal Navy: Napoleonic Wars
Author :
Rating :
ISBN : 1780765444
ISBN-10 : 9781780765440
Language : English
Format Type : Hardcover
Number of Pages : 256
Publication : First published March 27, 2014

The French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars were the first truly global conflicts. The Royal Navy was a key player in the wars and the key enabler of British success - at the cessation of hostilities Britain emerged as the only power capable of sustained global hegemony based on maritime and naval strength. The most iconic battles of any era were fought at sea - from the Battle of the Nile in 1798 to Nelson's momentous victory at Trafalgar in October 1805. This book looks at the history of the Royal Navy during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars from a broad perspective, examining the strategy, operations and tactics of British seapower. While it delves into the details of Royal Navy operations such as battle, blockade, commerce protection and exploration, it also covers a myriad of other aspects often overlooked in narrative histories including the importance of naval logistics, transport, relations with the army and manning. An assessment of key naval figures and combined eyewitness accounts situate the reader firmly in Nelson's navy. Through an exploration of the relationship between the Navy, trade and empire, Martin Robson highlights the contribution the Royal Navy made to Britain's rise to global hegemony through the nineteenth century Pax Britannica.

A History of the Royal Navy: Napoleonic Wars Reviews

  • Jeremy

    If you want to know everything about the Royal Navy in the Napoleonic Wars - including side shows like Algiers and the War of 1812 with the United States - this is it. Part of a series of books telling the RN's history, is is simply a monologue on what happened with lost of dates, tonnage, gun numbers etc. In that sense it is very useful. But it lacks voices - what did Jack Tar think? - or critical analysis. So education without a doubt, but a thought-provoking read - no.

  • Brad Wheeler

    Call it 3.5 stars. A decent, if uninspiring, survey of the Royal Navy during the Napoleonic Wars, just as it says on the tin. The author claims that, apart from a few major battles during the early years of the war, the Royal Navy's main success was in expanding and protecting British trade, maintaining its creditworthiness and allowing it to fund the major parts of the war on the continent. I agreed with his assessment, for what it's worth.

    Basically, this book was just historical popcorn for me. It didn't change my worldview or opinions or anything, but it was enjoyable enough.