Napoleon's Lost Fleet

Viac o knihe

On August 1, 1798, thirteen French ships anchored in Aboukir Bay, Egypt, in support of Napoleon, who was ashore with his troops. As night fell, the British fleet, led by Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson, launched a surprise attack on the unsuspecting French. By the end of the battle, nearly all French ships were sunk or captured, including the flagship Orient, which exploded, resulting in 1,700 French casualties and crippling Bonaparte's ambitions in the region. Nelson emerged as a national hero in Britain. This spirited chronicle details Nelson's relentless pursuit of Napoleon during his campaign to capture Egypt. Authors Laura Foreman and Ellen Blue Phillips vividly recount the audacity and bravery that characterized the Battle of the Nile. They portray both Bonaparte and Nelson as complex military leaders whose destinies were intertwined. Despite facing a poorly equipped and financially strained navy, Napoleon had amassed a formidable fleet of battleships and troops, with his plans nearly succeeding had Nelson not anticipated his move. The narrative also explores underwater discoveries at the battle site, led by French explorer Franck Goddio, revealing artifacts that illuminate life at sea during this era. With over 200 full-color photographs, maps, and illustrations, this work combines military history with marine archaeology, appealing to enthusiasts of discovery and adventure.