Astonishingly detailed. ( )

1223. The Great Gamble, by Dudley Pope (10 June 1973) This is an unusual book on the battle at Copenhagen on Holy Thursday, April 2, 1801. The book is over 500 pages and Pope really smothers one in detail. E.g., he gives the names of many persons in the battle, tells when every ship was built, etc. So one is told more than one really wants to know. It was a smashing victory and Nelson was magnificent, though second in command. Sir Hyde Parker was in command, but had sense enough to have Nelson handle the attack. The battle was unnecessary because Czar Paul had been assassinated on Mar 24, 1801 and the only reason Denmark had adhered to the "Armed Neutrality" was because of Czar Paul. Dudley Pope is the author par excellence on British naval history. ( )