Autobiography of a Seaman, Vol. 2


Read by Timothy Ferguson

(4.2 stars; 14 reviews)

This second volume of the biography of Lord Cochrane deals with his fall from grace, imprisonment for debt, loss of honours, and attempts to clear his name. It has had a marked influence on naval fiction, most obviously on some of the novels by Patrick O'Brian. - Summary by Timothy Ferguson (13 hr 52 min)

Chapters

Chapter 24 - A Naval Study For All Time 22:34 Read by Timothy Ferguson
Chapter 25 - A Naval Study Continued 43:49 Read by Timothy Ferguson
Chapter 26 - A Naval Study Continued 1:10:19 Read by Timothy Ferguson
Chapter 27 - Conduct of the Court-Martial 34:33 Read by Timothy Ferguson
Chapter 28 - The Vote of Thanks 37:01 Read by Timothy Ferguson
Chapter 29 - Refusal of My Plans For Attacking the French Fleet in the Scheldt 43:36 Read by Timothy Ferguson
Chapter 30 - My Plans For Attacking the French Coast Refused, And Myself Supers… 25:59 Read by Timothy Ferguson
Chapter 31 - Visit To The Admiralty Court At Malta 22:45 Read by Timothy Ferguson
Chapter 32 - Naval legislation Half A Century Ago 1:06:26 Read by Timothy Ferguson
Chapter 33 - Opening of parliament, 1812 19:48 Read by Timothy Ferguson
Chapter 34 - My Secret Plans 28:37 Read by Timothy Ferguson
Chapter 35 - Naval and Other Discussions in Parliament 38:35 Read by Timothy Ferguson
Chapter 36 - My Marriage 5:09 Read by Timothy Ferguson
Chapter 37 part 1 - Naval Abuses 41:35 Read by Timothy Ferguson
Chapter 37 part 2 - Naval Abuses 33:45 Read by Timothy Ferguson
Chapter 38 - The Stock-Exchange Trial 40:58 Read by Timothy Ferguson
Chapter 39 - Untitled 45:04 Read by Timothy Ferguson
Chapter 40 - Untitled 45:02 Read by Timothy Ferguson
Appendices 1 and 2 22:01 Read by Timothy Ferguson
Appendices 3 and 4 20:00 Read by Timothy Ferguson
Appendices 5 to 8 16:13 Read by Timothy Ferguson
Appendices 9 to 12 33:59 Read by Timothy Ferguson
Appendices 13 to 17 34:29 Read by Timothy Ferguson
Appendices 18 to 20 39:44 Read by Timothy Ferguson

Reviews

much better than the reviews would have you believe


(4 stars)

Firstly, a great reading of a hard to find volume. Secondly, I perfectly understand those who being familiar with the first volume find the early chapters repetitive. About we must take this for what it is. It's a first hand history which sheds light on the events of several subsequent centuries. The later chapters speak of the deplorable conditions of British seamen, from which one may deduce the similarly deplorable state of everyone else in Britain. Lord Cochrane does us the service of documenting the propensity of Jolly Jack Tar to defect to the USN for want of humane treatment at the hands of The Crown. More than anything, this book has crystallised the idea that the USA is the true birthplace of our assumed "British freedoms". The chapters dealing with naval abuses are staggering. Lord Cochrane is rightly a hero. This book, while extremely put-downable

Excellent reading, dull material


(3 stars)

Whereas the first volume is full of interesting details about the Naval career of Lord Cochrane, volume 2 is not. In this second volume, Cochrane seeks to clear him name of the accusations leveled against him in various trials. He presents the same information over and over again. The details of the Battle of Aix Roads was interesting the first time around, but we don't need a compendium of materials all supporting his perspective. Even worse is the incessant discussion of the color of his guest's undercoat, which was apparently a key piece of evidence against him in his fraud trial. Tedious. Timothy Ferguson does an excellent reading though, which is all he more impressive because of the material.


(4 stars)

Famously read by Mr Furguson. Not quite as captivating as Vol 1, but I am glad It was read by such a capable and entertaining fellow.

thorough and intelligent


(4.5 stars)

very interesting account of a defence against political persecution in a court of law

A. Factual Account of Injustice at sea


(4 stars)