Life in Nelson's Navy (Paperback)

Broad in scope and compelling in detail, this book presents facts about a navy and a time that have spawned many myths. The author, a British naval historian and Nelson specialist, offers a compelling view of the social structure and harsh living conditions aboard the ships of the Royal Navy in the late eighteenth century. Dudley Pope describes a typical day aboard a man-of-war, discusses the awesome powers and responsibilities of commanding officers, and details the specialized tasks performed on a warship under sail in Lord Nelson's time. He also presents facts about the organization and inner working of the Admiralty, the promotion system for officers and seamen, and the severe forms of discipline used during the period.