Product Description

Patrick O' Brian, C.S. Forester and Captain Marryat all based their literary heroes on Thomas Cochrane, but Cochrane's exploits were far more daring and exciting than those of his fictional counterparts. He was a man of action, whose bold and impulsive nature meant he was often his own worst enemy. Writing with gripping narrative skill and drawing on his own travels and original research, Cordingly tells the rip-roaring story of a flawed Romantic hero who helped define his age.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #67521 in Books
• Published on: 2008-07-07
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 448 pages

Review
'The real Master and Commander' Sunday Telegraph 'Cordingly is a brilliant historian' Daily Telegraph 'Intriguing and satisfying Cochrane packed enough drama and history to shame both Horatio Nelson and Sir Francis Drake O'Brian fans will find great satisfaction in smoking out similarities and differences between Cochrane and Aubrey' Washington Post 'By rights, Thomas Cochrane should be as well known today as Francis Drake Cochrane's adventures in Chile, Peru and Brazil are among the most amazing in naval history' Sunday Times

About the Author
David Cordingly was Keeper of Pictures and Head of Exhibitions at the National Maritime Museum for twelve years, where he organised such exhibitions as 'Captain James Cook, Navigator', 'The Mutiny on the Bounty' and 'Pirates: Fact and Fiction'. His other books include Life among the Pirates, Heroines and Harlots and the highly praised Billy Ruffian.

Customer Reviews

Derring do on the high seas
This is the third biography of Cochrane I have read and is the best of the three. It is ironic that he was probably one of the most unsung "heroes" of the Georgian age, but has now apparently come back into vogue, mainly through the Patrick O'Brien books I am sure. To be honest, when you look at Cochrane's life you couldn't really make it up and why no one has made a film based on his life goodness only knows. Suffice to say this is the fullest of the 3 books I am on about(the other two being those by Thomas and Harvey) so it goes into more detail than those losing nothing in its narrative drive in the process. There are an increasingly large number of books coming out about the 18th and 19th century navy so the bar is set pretty high as to what constitutes a succesful foray into these waters and Cordingly has now added two excellent books into this mix.

Fair and honest, but a narrative lacking drive
Thomas Cochrane was a swashbuckling naval hero, the inspiration for Patrick O'Brian's Jack Aubrey and C. S. Forester's Horatio Hornblower. This representation of Cochrane is certainly objective, which cannot be said of some earlier biographies, but the narrative lacks the drive that was one of the subject's characteristics; Cochrane's personality only really flashes from the page occasionally.

Cochrane was a mass of contradictions; he was not only a naval hero but a radical politician. Unfortunately, his most notable political characteristic was to shoot his mouth off, usually producing the opposite effect to that intended. He appears to have suffered from a persecution complex, and his intemperate performances in the House of Commons only meant that his disgrace in 1814 brought pleasure to his many detractors. Much of this animosity can be traced to his pursuit of Admiral Lord Gambier in the House following the attack on Basque Roads in 1809 which only succeeded in making more and powerful enemies, and as a result he found himself closer to a state of paranoia, one that afflicted him for the rest of his life.

The heart of Mr Cordingly's book is the action at Basque Roads and its repercussions; thereafter things quieten as the story turns to his romantic attachment and marriage, and his downfall. Despite his success as a frigate captain Cochrane would not desist from political activity. (Had he been as skillful a politician as he was a commander, it might not have mattered.) Following his disgrace he went to Chile to command the new country's navy in her struggle for independence from Spain, and also served in Peru, Brazil and Greece. But these episodes don't receive the same degree of attention as his Royal Navy exploits. This is a pity, because they hints at what might have been had Cochrane been more diligent in his naval career.

Entertaining and informative - a joy to read
This is a fabulous book. As it is very well written, you do not need to be a history buff or Patrick O'Brian fanatic to enjoy it. Cochrane's life was fascinating and it's brought to life in this biography.