After leaving it sitting many years on my shelves, I finally decided to read this book. My loss, as I should have read it long ago.
Written from a French view point, with access to information not usually mined by English speaking authors, Rene Maine has presented an excellent account of the rise and fall of Napoleon's navy.
Benefitting from a faultless translation, the book is a pleasure to read. It was particularly interesting to have the French view of Nelson, the preparations for the invasion of Britain and the events leading up to the Battle of Trafalgar. The account of the battle itself is adequate, but since it has been endlessly recounted before this is no great handicap.
Highly recommended. ( )