Books with author ROBERT SOUTHEY

This book is an illustrated version of the original The Life of Horatio Lord Nelson by Robert Southey. “When Nelson arrived in the West Indies, he found himself senior captain, and consequently second in command on that station. Satisfactory as this was, it soon involved him in a dispute with the admiral, which a man less zealous for the service might have avoided. He found the LATONA in English Harbour, Antigua, with a broad pendant hoisted; and upon inquiring the reason, was presented with a written order from Sir R. Hughes, requiring and directing him to obey the orders of Resident Commissioner Moutray during the time he might have occasion to remain there; the said resident commissioner being in consequence, authorised to hoist a broad pendant on board any of his Majesty's ships in that port that he might think proper. Nelson was never at a loss how to act in any emergency. “

"The Story of the Three Bears" (often known today as "Goldilocks and the Three Bears") is a children's story first recorded in narrative form by English author and poet Robert Southey and first published in a volume of his writings in 1837. The same year, writer George Nicol published a version in rhyme based upon Southey's prose tale, with Southey approving the attempt to bring the story more exposure. The story makes extensive use of the literary rule of three, featuring three chairs, three bowls of porridge, three beds, and the three title characters who live in the house. There are also three sequences of the bears discovering in turn that someone has been eating from their porridge, sitting in their chairs, and finally, lying in their beds, at which point is the climax of Goldilocks being discovered. This follows three earlier sequences of Goldilocks trying the bowls of porridge, chairs, and beds successively, each time finding the third "just right".

"England expects that every man will do his duty" – Nelson before the Battle of Trafalgar Over the course of its history, England has engaged in an uncountable number of battles, but none of her military heroes has had a greater military legacy than Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson, 1st Duke of Bronté. Whether traveling to Trafalgar Square or one of the hundreds of pubs named after him, seemingly it becomes easy to believe that no Briton has cast as long a shadow. Nelson is well known across the world for his decisive victory at Trafalgar, made all the more legendary by the fact that he was mortally wounded at the height of his greatest feat. And it is understandable that any man who could thwart Napoleon’s ambitions as well as Nelson did would earn a place in the history books. But Nelson embodied every virtue of his homeland; a dashing, courageous military officer who was impeccably cultured, and, of course, the best at what he did. Indeed, as the personification of the supremacy of the Royal Navy, the man and his life had a powerful resonance well before his death. When Nelson’s body was immersed in rum during the homeward voyage from Trafalgar, it is said that the sailors would steal a drink, thereby imbibing the spirit of their hero. Rum is still called “Nelson’s Blood” in Britain’s Royal Navy, and consumers can buy a spiced version at the pub in Burnham Thorpe. Nelson’s strategy and tactics are taught at naval colleges around the world, and the current U.K. government is, more than 200 years after his death, considering establishing a public holiday on the anniversary of Trafalgar. It is tempting simply to ascribe Nelson’s place in history to his decisive naval victories; but he was far more complex than that. In fact, the man described by Professor Lambert as “Brittania’s God of War” took a very modern approach to his own public image, which he carefully cultivated. The enduring Nelson cult was therefore as much his creation as anyone else’s, but that’s not to say he didn’t earn it. Good fortune, hard work, bravery and supreme talent across a range of fields enabled Nelson to go down as history’s greatest admiral. .

Southey is a magnificent writer, and Nelson a magnificent subject. Southey's prose is crisp and measured. He writes with such restraint, that his rare moments of high emotion are especially powerful. His sense of narrative is strong, and he makes Nelson's exploits dramatic and exciting. Nelson led a glorious life of military exploit and high romance. It is a gripping story, which takes the reader from rural Norfolk where he was born, to the Americas, the Caribbean, the Baltic and all over the Mediterranean, where Nelson achieved his greatest feats and committed his direst misdeeds. The story of his love for Emma Hamilton is moving—even if Southey tries to reduce this aspect of his life as much as possible. The story of his actions in Naples is shocking—and Southey does well to address it.This book has long been remembered as a masterpiece of biography, concise, shapely and inspiring.