Ronald Syme gives us the exciting story of young Horatio Nelson whose deliberation and ambition to learn made him a good sailor and taught him how to make the most of his opportunities.

Horatio was just a very young boy when he built his first vessel, a raft. Made out of an old door, it floated a bit lopsided; it had neither bow nor stern, but Horatio as its captain felt proud. His first voyage was short. When he lost his paddle, he didn't think twice but jumped and swam ashore!

The sea and open horizons became part of Horatio Nelson. He was a commander at 23 and at 34 he destroyed the Mediterranean fleet of Revolutionary France. His genius and will of iron combined with great imagination to make him victor at Trafalgar.

Nelson — the man with one arm and one eye — became a symbol of strength and courage to generations. He helped to shape English naval history. The story of his life is a heartening one of triumph over poverty, disability and disappointment.

From the dust jacket