The Life of Nelson The Embodiment of the Sea Power of Great Britain

Alfred Thayer Mahan (1840–1914) was an American naval officer, considered one of the most important naval strategists of the nineteenth century. In 1885 he was appointed Lecturer in Naval History and Tactics at the US Naval War College, and served as President of the institution between 1886 and 1889. In this highly influential two-volume biography, first published in 1897, Mahan focuses on Nelson's professional life and provides a detailed historical and tactical analysis of his naval career based on Nelson's personal correspondence. Through this analysis Mahan also explains and explores his concept of 'sea power', a strategic concept which was closely studied and subsequently adopted by early twentieth-century military powers. His book provides both a fascinating discussion of Nelson's achievements and an invaluable analysis of the most influential developments in naval strategy almost a century after Nelson's death. Volume 1 covers Nelson's career up to 1799.

1. The first twenty-five years; 2. Cruise of the 'Boreas'. Controversy over the enforcement of the Navigation Act. Return to England. Retirement until the outbreak of the French Revolution. Appointed to command the 'Agamemnon'. 1784–1793; 3. Nelson's departure from England in the 'Agamemnon'. Services in the Mediterranean until the recovery of Toulon by the French. Lord Hood in command. February–December, 1793; 4. Reduction of Corsica by the British. Departure of Lord Hood for England. The 'Agamemnon' refitted at Leghorn. January–December, 1794; 5. Nelson's services with the Fleet in the Mediterranean under Admiral Hotham. Partial fleet actions of March 13 and 14, and July 13. Nelson ordered to command a detached squadron co-operating with the Austrian army in the Riviera of Genoa. January–July, 1795; 6. Nelson's command of a detached squadron on the Riviera of Genoa, until the defeat of the Austrians at the Battle of Loano. Sir John Jervis appointed Commander-in-Chief in the Mediterranean. July–December, 1795; 7. Nelson's services in the Mediterranean during the year 1796. Bonaparte's Italian campaign. The British abandon Corsica, and the Fleet leaves the Mediterranean. January–December, 1796; 8. The evacuation of Elba. Night combat with two Spanish frigates. Battle of Cape St. Vincent. Nelson promoted to Rear-Admiral. Services before Cadiz. December, 1796–June, 1797; 9. The unsuccessful attempt against Teneriffe. Nelson loses his right arm. Return to England. Rejoins St. Vincent's fleet, and sent into the Mediterranean to watch the Toulon armament. July, 1797–May, 1798; 10. The campaign and battle of the Nile. May–September, 1798; 11. Nelson's return from Egypt to Naples. Meeting with Lady Hamilton. Association with the court of Naples. War between Naples and France. Defeat of the Neapolitans. Flight of the court to Palermo. September–December, 1798; 12. Nelson's career, and general events in the Mediterranean and Italy, from the overthrow of the royal government in Naples to the incursion of the French fleet under Admiral Bruix. January–May, 1799; 13. From the incursion of the French fleet under Bruix to the restoration of the royal authority at Naples. The Caracciolo execution. Nelson's disobedience to Admiral Lord Keith. May–July, 1799.

Alfred Thayer Mahan (1840-1914) was an American naval officer and highly influential naval strategist. In this two-volume biography, first published in 1897, Mahan provides a detailed historical and tactical analysis of Nelson's career, and explores the influential concept of 'sea power'. Volume 1 covers Nelson's career to 1799.