Share for friends:

Read Cochrane: Britannia's Sea Wolf (2002)

Cochrane: Britannia's Sea Wolf (2002)

Online Book

Author
Genre
Rating
4.24 of 5 Votes: 5
Your rating
ISBN
1557508089 (ISBN13: 9781557508089)
Language
English
Publisher
us naval institute press

Cochrane: Britannia's Sea Wolf (2002) - Plot & Excerpts

This title; Cochrane: Britannia's Sea Wolf, was first published in 1978 but has now been re-released (1999) to the benefit of all who enjoy a fast-paced historical account. After reading this book I am amazed that it has taken nearly twenty years to be re-released. What a great story Mr. Thomas tells of Thomas, Lord Cochrane, later the 10th Earl of Dundonald. From his birth through to his death covering all his exploits in numerous sea battles and actions, so many in fact that you find it hard to believe that he survived. The book covers Cochrane's battles during the Napoleonic Wars during which, on many occasions, he sent his ship in action against overwhelming odds. It was during this period that he was recognized as one of Britain's most daring and successful captains. It was also during this period that he made many enemies, although he pressed hard in every action and took many risks, he always considered the well being of the men under his command. This later led to his single-handed campaign against corruption in the Admiralty. Following the end of the Napoleonic Wars in 1815 Cochrane commenced an extraordinary career as a mercenary admiral. He subsequently commanded the navies of Chile and Brazil and launched campaigns against their protagonists, Spain and Portugal. After finishing his 'little wars' in South America he took command of elements of the Greek navy in their war against the Turks. In all these campaigns Cochrane again showed that he was one of the best naval commanders of his time. The narrative flowed along smoothly and although I have no great knowledge of maritime history I had no problems in following this story. In over 350 pages of text along with a number of black & white plates and a few maps Mr. Thomas tells a wonderful and exciting story. This is the type of book, which I am sure any person who has a love for history or who enjoys the novels of C. S. Forester and Patrick O'Brien will just love. A must for any serious student of naval tactics or Napoleonic warfare.

On a friend's recommendation I temporarily dropped the book I was reading and started one he had brought, Cochrane: Britannia's Sea Wolf by Donald Serrell Thomas. I could not put the book down. I do not usually read biographies but this one read as an adventure story. However, I was as equally amazed at the man's accomplishments as I was at how he was systematically wronged. Moreover, I was disappointed to find that as a fan of C.S. Forester and Patrick O'Brian, these authors seemingly took scenes from Cochrane's life rather than use their own creative faculties. I highly recommend this book about the real life Hornblower/Aubrey - a brilliant captain, inventor, and liberator of Brazil, Chile, Peru and Greece.

What do You think about Cochrane: Britannia's Sea Wolf (2002)?

He served under four flags: those of Britain, Chile, Brazil, and Greece. He was perhaps the greatest ship (rather than fleet) commander in all of naval history. Yet Lord Cochrane is relatively unknown outside of Britain, Greece, and South America. Donald Thomas with his book Cochrane: Britannia's Sea Wolf attempts to redress that. Like many exceedingly brilliant military figures, Cochrane frequently ran afoul of politicians and was frequently persecuted and mulcted by them. He was accused of stock fraud in a patently ludicrous trial by an unfair judge, Lord Ellenborough, served time in prison, was stripped of his title of Knight of the bath, and removed from the navy list.That did not dismay the Scottish sea wolf, who helped Chile and Peru win their independence from Spain by destroying that country's Pacific Fleet. When he had done all he could there, he moved on to Brazil to fight for Don Pedro I. When that was over, he joined the struggle for Greek independence, where he was prevented from winning by the factionalism of the Greek politicians.In the end, under Queen Vicoria, he regained all his honors and died rich in years and reputation.
—Jim

Write Review

(Review will shown on site after approval)

Read books by author Donald Thomas

Read books in category Fiction