I first came across Pellew as kidnapper of the musician Joseph Emidy. Originally enslaved by the Portuguese but trained as a violinist by his owner, Pellew "pressed" him to play jigs on his ship, HMS Indefatigable. Once returned to England, Emidy became a mainstay of the Cornish music scene in the early nineteenth century, and now lies buried in Kenwyn churchyard. A typical Pellew exploit, but there was far more to Pellew, though, as Stephen Taylor's well written and fluent biography tells. From humble beginnings and rising through the ranks, he became a superb sailor, inspiring officer and genuine hero - as evidenced by his exploit boarding and rescuing the crew and passengers of the shipwrecked "Dutton". He was the Nelson of frigates, and never wanted more than single ship command. Yet perhaps his greatest feat was his last when, as an ageing admiral, he took on a task with half the ships Nelson said would be needed - and won a famous victory.

Edward Pellow was a legend. A brave, compassionate and brilliant naval commander, who gained public for his feats of daring-do during the late 18th cetury. His story of rising from poverty to be one of England's highest ranking naval officers is amazing, considering how many powerful people he antagonised on his way to fleet command. Steven Taylor has deservedly ressurected a great English hero from obscurity in this wonderful book.

For someone who was so successful in his time, pellew is probably unknown to most people nowadays. I'd certanly never heard of him, so I found this book fascinating, not only for the details of Pellew's rollercoaster career, but also for the insight it gives into life in the navy for the average sailor at the moment when Britain was fast becomming the dominant naval power in the world. Full of amazing tales of chivalry and bravery, this wonderful book also highlights how petty rivalries, nepotism, sheer luck and a timely spot of good weather are all as important to creating heroes as bravery and skill in battle.