
Broadsides: The Age of Fighting Sail, 1775-1815
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Narrated by:
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David Rapkin
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By:
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Nathan Miller
In the late 18th century, it was widely thought that to be a sailor was little better than to be a slave. "No man will be a sailor," wrote Samuel Johnson, "who has contrivance enough to get himself into jail. A man in jail has more room, better food, and commonly better company."
If that were true, historian Nathan Miller suggests, then the record of sailing in the age of tall ships would likely be distinguished by few heroes and fewer grand narratives. He counters that in the regular navies of England, the fledgling United States, and most other nations, brutal captains and thuggish crewmen were rare, and professionalism was the order of the day. It was their high standard of service that made those naval forces such powerful, even indispensable arms of the land-based military. Miller's great hero throughout this fine history is Horatio Nelson, whose valor was exemplary throughout countless battles around the world. But he writes with equal admiration of lesser-known figures, such as Lambert Wickes, Pierre de Villeneuve, Juan de Cordova, and "Foul Weather Jack" Byron, who served their nations and fellow sailors well, and often heroically.
Download the accompanying reference guide.©2000 Nathan Miller (P)2014 Audible, Inc.Listeners also enjoyed...




















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All in all there are very few books like this that you can read that address the peak of the age of the sail. All in all I liked it and would recommend it.
Some Big Battles were too short
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Well written book, not so well read
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Would you consider the audio edition of Broadsides: The Age of Fighting Sail, 1775-1815 to be better than the print version?
This book puts all the other stories into order and it helps you realize the other naval books of the time have a degree of truth.What was one of the most memorable moments of Broadsides: The Age of Fighting Sail, 1775-1815?
I enjoyed many, I have read so many books that it all feel into place.Which scene was your favorite?
Not just one, I have alot of scenes that happened in different parts of historyDid you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
Both, I could cry when the foolish govenments would treat the poor sailors very poorly, and be happier when they rewarded those who deserved it.Any additional comments?
In history this wasnl't really that long, but the changes made to the world are still felt today. Steam ended these mens skilled talents and the world got alittle smaller.Full details lacking in other stories
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Surprisingly gripping
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I'll also note I'm constantly surprised at the lack of quality control on these works; this one at least has none of the frequent changes in mixing levels that appear in many others, but the narrator introduces many inappropriately long pauses in the middle of sentences.
That said the book is a solid history, and worth getting on those grounds as long as one isn't expecting something different.
Misleading description, solid historical summary
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Not an easy task for a historian to dwell...
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well researched...
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1. This book explains how ships of the line, in that period functioned.
2. It explained the politics of those men who sailed the ships, in the time that they lived - which is just not done.
3. It is a new approach to world history, seeing things through the naval force rather than land force.
The author gives his interpretation of Napoleon Bonapart's relation with his navy, as opposed to his army, as well as a fledging country - America - trying to defend itself against a naval superpower. The autor is right on on the mark and so wonderfully understandable.
Absolute Best Naval History I Ever Read
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Great book
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a definitive history of sail and combat
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