Trafalgar

Trafalgar: the full story of one of the most famous naval engagements in history

During the Napoleonic War, the British Royal Navy faced French and Spanish fleets off the South-Western coast of Spain in one of the most recognised naval engagements in history. In the latest instalment of the Great Battles series, John B. Hattendorf orients readers to the battle of Trafalgar.

In Trafalgar, Hattendorf places equal emphasis on all sides of the conflict and its legacy. His focus on initial reports of the battle highlights the ways in which these records differ, complement and contribute to broader, historical accounts in order to illustrate the variety and range of commemorations that took shape across different artistic outlets in the years that followed. Hattendorf considers Trafalgar's appearance in popular culture through contemporary poetry, pamphlets, newspapers, caricatures and popular prints, and addresses the battle's presence in professional naval cultures around the world. With its focus on interpretation, close analysis and scholarly research, this new volume in the Great Battles series offers an engaging overview of Trafalgar's memorialisation throughout the years.