DOC A Naval History of Great Britain: During the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars; Vol. 1: 1793-1796 by Richard Perry; William M. James in History

Review

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful. Essential history of the eraBy Fred CamfieldThis history; first published in the early 19th century; has recently been reprinted. It has been used as a source by many present day writers for novels set during the time period covered. The author was a historian who wrote about events as they occurred. In one case he was badly beaten in his home by a Royal Navy captain who was displeased by what he had written. The history is written as a narrative account; running chronologically through each year. It tends to jump from location to location as you change paragraphs. There are not chapters as such; just a chronological account for each year. It was published in six volumes; and each volume of the reprinted history has an introduction; appendix and index.There are a sprinkling of tables and diagrams in the book; although not very many diagrams. Some are of particular interest. For example; at the beginning of 1798 the Royal Navy had 24 admirals; 36 vice admirals; 44 rear admirals; and 26 superannuated rear admirals (retired). There were 518 post captains on the active duty list; and 20 superannuated captains. Some of these; like Admiral Jervis; are well remembered. Most have faded into obscurity. One had to reach the top of the captain's list to become an admiral; a process that usually required over 20 years if the man survived from perils of war; shipwreck; disease; or just old age.Some naval actions are covered in great detail. Others only receive a passing reference. It is a useful reference if you are reading novels set during the period; and you wish to read the account of the actual event. Individual volumes are sold separately.