Cochrane: The Fighting Captain

never knew the facts about this great seaman, if you like history this is the book.

Cochrane is one of my favourite historical characters. He was not just a man of his time, but arguably a man ahead of the times. He waged war in way's that could be readily recognised today. He pursued technical advances. He was prepared to take on the establishment. This book provides a good history. The only reason for not providing 5 Stars is that I would like to have read more about Cochrane's non-war activities, particularly after the establishment forced him out of the Royal Navy. Cochrane is arguably one of the greatest Britains of the last two hundred (or so) years. The more books that appear about his incredible life the better.

I think that this is an exceptional book and it should belong on your bookshelf under best fictitious novels as Thomas Cochrane's real life and exploits reads like some unbelievable novel. The truth is that the book is actually a biography of one of Britain's lesser known but most amazing sea captains, the audacious and daring Thomas Cochrane.In an amazing naval career spanning fifty years, Cochrane rose from midshipman to admiral in a pulsating exciting lifetime that one can only dream of. Starting in the Napoleonic war he led daring, hair raising raids on coastal craft and shore installations alike, first in his little gunboat `Speedy' and later on in the frigates HMS Pallas and HMS Imperious, he became so successful that Napoleon dubbed him "the sea wolf". One of his most famous escapades was his capture of the Spanish frigate `El Gamo' whilst being outgunned 32 guns to 14 and outmanned 319 to 54. He eventually boarded the Gamo against the odds and took her as a prize, which ensured his legendary status amongst his peers...but not his masters!However Cochrane was a master himself, a master of deception, guile and subterfuge and a master sailor par excellence. He was involved in one legendary exploit after another; the Battle of Basque Roads and the capture of the fortress of Mongat are but a few of his legendary exploits. He was arguably the best individual sea captain and the most audacious amphibious raider of the Napoleonic period. His success was so extraordinary his life was made a target not only by novelists but also a rather jealous naval establishment. His beleaguered opinion of the admiralty and its admirals are well documented within the book as is his opinion of other not so blessed captains.Cochrane also managed to become an elected MP giving him an outlet to champion the causes of ordinary seamen and his distaste for the admiralty through parliament. Such outspokenness condemned his progress within the navy and even stunted his proactive ability within the war with Cochrane being posted to non active posts in the North Sea or simply being assigned unserviceable boats fit only for the naval scrap yard. Just as he seemed to have been redeemed and given charge of a squadron he was framed in a Stock Exchange scandal, cashiered out of the navy and imprisoned. He escaped prison by means of a rope and fled the country to become a mercenary admiral in the service of countries fighting for independence such as Chile, Peru, Brazil and Greece. Cochrane, always outnumbered and outgunned, enhanced his legendary status during this time showing that he had not lost his sea faring touch nor any of his daring or courage - on one occasion in Brazil he chased the entire Portuguese fleet in a single ship and enticed the main Portuguese fortified harbour to surrender in an extraordinary incident of bluff.Cochrane was also a visionary inventor that was always chasing what was to become an elusive fortune and spent most of his well earned prize money on his far sighted schemes, much to the detriment of his family. Later on in life he was absolved by the establishment and regained his status within the navy and society as a whole, eventually ending up as an admiral. This book simply goes on and on about a life that was simply astonishing.The book is excellent reading, simply brilliant...as for Cochrane, he is up there with Nelson!

...I did not know much beyond Nelson and Collingwood and I am at a loss to explain why. I went looking for the impossible, a book to match the excitement of our two better known sea masters. I found it... this man can hold his own with Nelson and Collingwood and some. A genuine British hero who was at his best when the odds were against him. One of my Top 10 books - for action and knowledge,

How is it possible for a country to almost expunge such a man fro m the history of these islands.His incredible victories on sea and land are truly amazing.Unfortunately rubbing up against the establishment of the day contributed to his part downfall.

This is the third book on Cochrane that I have and know his history very well. Robert Harvey has given a very good account of Cochrane`s life.Cochrane has not been given the recognition he deserves, the service he gave to his country was outstanding.The book was delivered very smartly and in very good condition.

A really gripping account of the life of one of Britain's greatest seamen. Lord Thomas Cochrane's exploits provided the background for the fictional Hornblower and Aubrey characters.

Well worth a read from one of Britain's un sung hero's without doubt no other person has achieved so much out at sea

Cochrane's life makes for a fascinating tale, here very well told by Robert Harvey. The book rushes along at breakneck speed, bringiug out the essential features of the hero without getting bogged down -- or overly concerned -- with details and alternative interpretations. For once, notes are properly left to the end of the book to be ignored.Cochrane himself was a mass of contradictions -- outstandingly able to out-think his military opponents, and almost totally at the mercy of his political ones, showing little ability to predict their actions. The venality and corruption of the latter pass belief, as does Cochrane's inability to realize how they will stand in his way. So also is the incompetence of the military commanders. This corruption and incompetence may not be surprising for a country as corrupt in all aspects of public life as Britain at the start of the 19th century. The surprising thing is that they were able to defeat Napolean at all. Where the other British strengths lay, and what might have been the source of the incompetence of Cochrane's opponents is not explored.While various writers have drawn on aspects of Cochrane's exploits in fictional work, their protagonists have quite different characters from the one presented here. He is more mysterious and possibly less sympathetic.Harvey does not dwell on the details of the exploits of his hero. He gives most detail to the incredible defeat by Cochrane of a French fleet in the face of notable lack of support from the admiral in charge of immediate British forces at Aix Roads.All in all, the economy of Harvey's presentation whets one's appetite for more -- more detail, more analysis, more background -- all a mark of a first-rate book. This is biography as page-turner -- and far better than most page -turners.

"Le Loup de Mer", that is how Napoleon dubbed Lord Cochrane. I am from Chile, one of the countries Cochrane served and helped assure our Independence, so this book was a great reading for me, very informative on aspects I didn't know about this man and my country history. As a country, we are very grateful of Cochrane and, as you may know, there is one beautiful city named after him in the South of Chile and several streets as well, particularly remembered by the Chilean Navy.It was compelling to know Cochrane's character and part of his personal life, even to know the real Cochrane since the book include one real picture of him. So Part III was the most interesting in my case, when Cochrane arrive to Valparaiso and was greeted by our Liberator, Bernardo O'Higgins --- Cochrane almost went to the Island of St Helena to pick up Napoleon, on his way to Chile. A remarkable seaman and person, buried in Westminster Abbey, a place I had the fortune to know, so I think this book or any biography of Cochrane is a recommended reading. A great British Captain!Note: this book has an spanish version and sadly in my country the cost of the book is three times more expensive, due to a nonsense TAX on books. It is time to change that, books for everybody!

Superb book, amazing legendary man, gripping story, could not put it down. He opposed the British navy's practice of giving commands to men just because they were nobles... and rocked the boat and was blackballed, but he embarrassed the entire British navy by outperforming them and became one of the greatest Navy captains; offering his services, he helped some South American nations gain independence, and he also became a Member of Parliament in Britain and tried to clean up corruption, which brought the ire of the powers that be down upon him. We need more men like him today.

Being retired navy, the exploits of the sailing days are enjoyable reading. This man was superb at sea, but like so many who are highly skilled in one area, seem to be terribly awkward in others in which a measure of skill was also needed. Most enjoyable reading of daring exploits at sea during days of the sail.

As noted, fact is stranger than fiction, and it couldn't be truer than with the life of Thomas Cochrane. If you enjoy the likes of Horatio Hornblower or Jack Aubrey, you won't be able to put this one down. You'll immediately recognize their "fictional" exploits as you read the real stories upon which they're based. A great summer read!