Nelson The essential hero Author:Ernle Dusgate Selby Bradford Horatio Nelson, son of a clergyman, is the most celebrated admiral in British history. He entered the navy at age 12, made captain by 20. British policy was to contain the dominant European power which during Nelson's lifetime, was Napoleon's France. The two nations hated well. Providence sailed with Nelson at Trafalgar, off the coast of S... more »pain. "England expects every man will do his duty." His greatly outnumbered forces decimated a combined French and Spanish fleet. The victory cost Nelson his life, but made him immortal. "A vivid portrait of Nelson...highly entertaining and accurate." (The London Times)« less