Pirates & Privateers: Joel Hayward's Books

A hero and legend in his own time, Vice Admiral Horatio Lord Viscount Nelson is still remembered and honored long after his tragic death at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. He is born in 1758, joins the Royal Navy as a midshipman at the age of twelve, and is promoted to lieutenant six years later. He is noted for his ability to think outside the box, especially when it comes to tactics and fighting at sea, long before that phrase comes into use. He is deeply devoted to God and his country, and he sacrifices an eye, an arm, and ultimately his life to safeguard his homeland from a man he considers “like Satan,” “a man of blood,” and a “despoiler of the weak” – Napoleon. (1)

The reader may ask why we need another biography of this illustrious man, but Hayward poses a different question in his preface: Is Nelson relevant today? Actually, this is but the first of many questions that he asks in light of modern warfare and technology. We may change how we fight out enemies, but the basic nature of warfare remains the same. In light of this, Hayward’s goal is “to analyze Lord Nelson’s fascinating and influential life, with particular focus on his style of warfare and the passions, ideas, beliefs, and behavioral patterns that created and shaped that style, via a thematic approach.” (xiii-xiv) This allows readers to coherently view Hayward’s analysis of “Horatio Nelson’s warfighting style, one that was unique to him and made him a great leader and England’s most brilliant admiral.” (1)

He begins by summarizing Nelson’s life and achievements in the introduction. In the subsequent six chapters, Hayward shares snippets from the admiral’s own writings, as well as those of his colleagues.

“Nelson’s Conception of His Enemies” is the focus of the first chapter. Nelson demonstrates particular animus toward all things and people of France. This isn’t true initially, nor is it how he views whatever enemy he faces, such as the Americans during their war for independence. Why is this, how does it affect him, and what role does this hatred play in the way he fights to achieve victory?

Chapter two examines “The Admiral’s Spiritual Beliefs.” That Nelson is profoundly religious isn’t surprising, given that his father is a clergyman, as are other members of his family, and religion is an integral part of his studies and upbringing. His faith, when coupled with his duty to king and country, helps him to overcome his physical disabilities. Nelson is prideful, ruthless when engaging the enemy, and an adulterer – sinfulness in the eyes of the Lord. Despite these frailties, he remains ever faithful in his belief. Hayward explores how Nelson makes sense of the world and his role in the struggle between England and France, as well as how he reconciles his shortcomings and his religiosity. Hayward also looks at how others view these opposing facets.

The next chapter examines Nelson’s “Command, Leadership, and Management.” The officers and men who serve under Nelson are totally devoted to him. He earns their trust, inspires them to be better than they are, and cares about them. How does he achieve this and how is he able to master all three aspects of leadership in times of war?

According to the United States Marine Corps, Maneuver Warfare is “a warfighting philosophy that seeks to shatter the enemy’s cohesion through a variety of rapid, focused, and unexpected actions which create a turbulent and rapidly deteriorating situation with which the enemy cannot cope.” (100) This definition is shared so readers unfamiliar with the concept, which doesn’t exist in Nelson’s time period, will understand the subject of the book’s fourth chapter: “Nelson’s Warfighting Style and Maneuver Warfare.” Hayward uses the fleet battle at Aboukir Bay in 1798 to showcase how Nelson’s style resembles this modern concept. Also included is an enlightening discussion of just what “annihilation” means in the past.

Not all battles that the navy wages take place at sea, and the same is true in Nelson’s time. Chapter five, “Nelson and War on Land,” examines whether Nelson understands that sea-fighting strategies and tactics do not translate well to actions on land, and whether he is able to adapt his art of warfare to counter these differences. If he does so, is he successful? Hayward contrasts a siege in which Nelson participates early in his career while in the Caribbean, with those that later take place on Corsica.

The final chapter explores “Coalition Warfare.” Britain does not fight alone in the wars to defeat Napoleon, even though the country shoulders the brunt of the cost, fighting, and sacrifices. As an admiral, Nelson also has to work with other nations’ navies and their officers. In this particular case, the focus is on Nelson during the Second Coalition, which lasts from 1798 to 1801, and the effectiveness of his leadership as coalition fleet commander when he has to work with Neapolitan and Portuguese squadrons and the navies of Russia and Turkey.

For God and Glory is a fascinating analysis of Nelson and his effectiveness during the Napoleonic wars. Instead of being blinded by hero worship, Hayward writes a compelling and unbiased account of a man who is deeply religious, is aware of his human weaknesses – even if he doesn’t always conquer them – and is a masterful strategist and tactician at sea when his country needs him most. His loyalty is such that he willingly sacrifices himself to safeguard what he holds dear, and the concern for his men and love of country, in turn, inspire others.

One may think this is a dry or pedantic analysis; in actuality, it is a compelling, well-crafted, and fascinating study of Nelson, the man. While primarily geared toward students of military history and warfare, as well as readers passionate about this time period and/or Vice Admiral Lord Nelson, novelists will find this analysis enlightening because it is also a comprehensive character study of the traits, both good and bad, of a convincing hero.

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