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Synopsis
"Nobody describes a naval battle better than Taylor...a flawless demonstration of the biographer’s craft." ―Jan Morris, The Guardian
Edward Pellew, captain of the legendary Indefatigable, was quite simply the greatest British frigate captain in the age of sail. Left fatherless at age eight, with a penniless mother and five siblings, Pellew fought his way from the very bottom of the navy to fleet command. Victories and eye-catching feats won him a public following. Yet he had a gift for antagonizing his better-born peers, and he made powerful enemies. Redemption came with his last command, when he set off to do battle with the Barbary States and free thousands of European slaves. Opinion held this to be an impossible mission, and Pellew himself, leading from the front in the style of his contemporary Nelson, did not expect to survive.Pellew’s humanity, fondness for subordinates, and blind love for his family, and the warmth and intimacy of his letters, make him a hugely engaging figure. Stephen Taylor gives him at last the biography he deserves. 8 pages of illustrations
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
About the Author
Stephen Taylor, a former journalist working at The Times in London, is the author of Storm and Conquest and Commander. He lives in Windsor, England.
Review
“If Pellew’s life, fired in the kiln of O’Brian’s genius, gave us Jack Aubrey, both our interest and gratitude ought to be ongoing and deep.”
- Charles Finch, USA Today
“Taylor is clarity itself...he has also contributed handily to our appreciation of the workings and vagaries of the Royal Navy.”
- Katherine A. Powers, Christian Science Monitor
“An entertaining, swashbuckling adventure, filled to the brim with derring-do.”
- Daily Telegraph
“[Pellew] is skilfully conjured up in Stephen Taylor’s commendable biography. Fans of Forester and O’Brian will enjoy this tale of Pellew’s meteoric rise.”
- Sunday Times
“Meticulous archival research vividly presents a real-life hero whose deeds provided material for C.S. Forester’s Horatio Hornblower and Patrick O’Brian’s Jack Aubrey.”
- Publishers Weekly
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- PublisherFaber Faber
- Publication date2012
- ISBN 10 057127711X
- ISBN 13 9780571277117
- BindingHardcover
- Number of pages354
- Rating
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Commander: The Life and Exploits of Britain's Greatest Frigate Captain
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Commander: The Life and Exploits of Britain's Greatest Frigate Captain
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Commander: The Life and Exploits of Britain's Greatest Frigate Captain
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Commander: The Life and Exploits of Britain's Greatest Frigate Captain. Stephen Taylor
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Commander : The Life and Exploits of Britain's Greatest Frigate Captain
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Commander: The Life and Exploits of Britain's Greatest Frigate Captain
Published by
Faber & Faber 06/09/2012, 2012
ISBN 10: 057127711X
ISBN 13: 9780571277117
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Commander: The Life and Exploits of Britain's Greatest Frigate Captain
Published by
Faber & Faber, United Kingdom, London, 2012
ISBN 10: 057127711X
ISBN 13: 9780571277117
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Seller: WorldofBooks, Goring-By-Sea, WS, United Kingdom
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Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Edward Pellew, captain of the legendary Indefatigable, was quite simply the greatest frigate captain in the age of sail. An incomparable seaman, ferociously combative yet chivalrous, a master of the quarterdeck and an athlete of the tops, he was as quick to welcome a gallant foe into his cabin as to dive to the rescue of a man overboard. He is the likely model for the heroic but all-too-human Jack Aubrey in Patrick O'Brian's novels. Pellew was orphaned at eight, but fought his way from the very bottom of the Navy to fleet command and a viscountcy. Victories and eye-catching feats won him a public following. Yet as an outsider with a gift for antagonizing his better-born peers, he made powerful enemies. Redemption came with his last command, when he set off to do battle with the Barbary States and free thousands of European slaves. Contemporary opinion held this to be an impossible mission, and Pellew himself, in leading from the front in the style of his direct contemporary Nelson, did not expect to survive. Pellew's humanity as much as his gallantry, fondness for subordinates and blind love for his family, and the warmth and intimacy of his letters, make him a hugely engaging and sympathetic figure. In Stephen Taylor's magnificent new life he at last has the biography he deserves. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Seller Inventory # GOR004601197
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Commander: The Life and Exploits of Britain's Greatest Frigate Captain
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Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. All orders are dispatched within one working day from our UK warehouse. We've been selling books online since 2004! We have over 750,000 books in stock. No quibble refund if not completely satisfied. Seller Inventory # mon0003845622
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Commander: The Life and Exploits of Britain's Greatest Frigate Captain
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Hardcover. Condition: Good. All orders are dispatched within one working day from our UK warehouse. We've been selling books online since 2004! We have over 750,000 books in stock. No quibble refund if not completely satisfied. Seller Inventory # mon0006096115
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Commander: The Life and Exploits of Britains Greatest Frigate Captain
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Hardcover. Condition: Used; Very Good. Dispatched, from the UK, within 48 hours of ordering. Though second-hand, the book is still in very good shape. Minimal signs of usage may include very minor creasing on the cover or on the spine. Seller Inventory # CHL1607890
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