An extremely well written account of a famous naval battle as well as the political maneuvering behind it. It not only tells the story of the battle, but gives a fascinating account of how the vagaries of politics can shape events. I never expected a book to be this interesting and even exciting to read. I gained some insights into Napoleon which had not been included in other books I have read about the period He may have been a military genius, but he was an ordinary human with ordinary weaknesses, failures, and was his own worst enemy. Other historical figures pop out of the story in clear detail - Wellington, Pitt, Nelson, King George III, and many others. For history lovers, this is a great book to read.