European University Institute Library

Hawke, Nelson, and British naval leadership, 1747-1805, Ruddock Mackay and Michael Duffy

eng

index present

non fiction

Hawke, Nelson, and British naval leadership, 1747-1805

electronic resource

dictionaries

701062154

Ruddock Mackay and Michael Duffy

Cambridge Social Sciences eBooks

Unlike other books on eighteenth-century British admirals, which tell and re-tell the history of admirals' successful exploits, this book investigates what exactly were the qualities which made for successful naval leadership in this period. It identifies twelve key qualities, and discusses how far each of the many leading admirals of the period possessed these qualities. It argues that Hawke and Nelson were the outstanding naval leaders of the eighteenth century, outlining their respective careers and showing how both of them possessed, more than the other admirals, the key qualities of leadership. Moreover, it argues that British fleet tactics and blockade strategy reached a new high level in the middle of the eighteenth century; that Hawke played the leading operational role in achieving this; and that Hawke has been undervalued both in the history of the British navy and in public estimation of Britain's great military and naval leaders. Overall, the book provides a refreshing reappraisal of British naval warfare in the eighteenth century, enabling readers to relive key battles and other encounters, and appreciate how crucial, alongside other key factors which are also discussed, the leadership qualities of the admirals were in bringing about success, or, in some cases, failure. Ruddock Mackay has published extensively on maritime history and taught at the Royal Naval College Dartmouth and the University of St Andrews. Michael Duffy, who was Director of the Centre for Maritime Historical Studies at the University of Exeter 1991-2007, has also published extensively on maritime history.--, Provided by publisher

Hawke's rise to leadership -- Hawke at his peak : from Brest to Quiberon Bay in 1759 -- The standards of leadership excellence in the age of sail -- Hawke's tactical legacy neglected, 1778-1797 -- Hawke's strategic legacy lost and rediscovered, 1778-1808 -- Nelson's path to glory

Hawke, Nelson & British Naval Leadership, 1747–1805