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Oliver Greeves

Nelson's Folly Kindle Edition

by Oliver Greeves (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

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Horatio and Fanny Nelson live, poor but happy, in his father’s damp parsonage in Norfolk.

The French Revolutionary Wars have begun, and as fighting intensifies, Horatio is recalled to sea.

As the years pass and the war rages on, Horatio Nelson becomes a lauded hero, while Fanny loyally manages their affairs back in England. But Horatio’s success in battle has changed him – he’s proud, arrogant, bitter. How can a woman like Fanny, self-reliant but bound by 18th century attitudes, face down the Navy’s superstar without losing everything?

A compelling exploration of duty in all its forms, Nelson’s Folly is a sweeping, historically rich novel based on the true story of Horatio and Fanny Nelson and their lives together – and apart.

Print length

410 pages
Language

English
Publication date

14 December 2020
File size

1643 KB
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About the Author

OLIVER GREEVES, a direct descendent of Fanny Nelson, lives in Sydney. He is a historian and sailor who spent many years working on Wall Street. He is currently working on a follow-on novel about Josiah Nisbet, Nelson's stepson. --This text refers to the paperback edition.

Review

"Ruthless in battle, Nelson was ruthless to friends and family. Strongly recommended. Even for Nelson fans."

John Gilbert - The Naval Review

Nelson's Folly is a compelling, vividly portrayed tale that is well grounded in a sense of the changing times, yet also nicely rooted in memorable characters. Historical novel and political history readers, as well as general-interest readers who enjoy stories of British society in 18th century England, will find it an accessible, thoroughly involving saga rich in psychological, political, and social inspection."

Diane Donovan - Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review, USA.

--This text refers to the paperback edition.

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08QMBVD2N
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 1643 KB
Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Print length ‏ : ‎ 410 pages
Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 0645023701

Best Sellers Rank: 392,067 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- 1,091 in Historical British & Irish Literature
- 13,257 in Historical Fiction (Kindle Store)
- 32,292 in Historical Fiction (Books)

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30 ratings

About the author

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Oliver Greeves

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Oliver Greeves is a Sydney-based writer of historical novels about the French Revolutionary Wars and the Napoleonic War. He is a direct descendent of Francis, Viscountess Nelson and her son, Josiah Nisbet. Family lore and family memorabilia have long played a part in his love for his subject matter. Oliver has a PhD in history from Bristol University in the United Kingdom and studied creative writing at the New School in Greenwich Village New York. He lived in New York for many years, working for Wall Street financial institutions at senior levels and was a founding partner of Pharos Institute, a leadership and executive coaching company. His understanding of institutions and the psychological perspective of those leading them infuses his novels with realism.

Oliver has been an enthusiastic sailor for over forty years, owning many sailing craft and having raced yachts and sailboats in seas off the North East Coast of the United States and the South China Sea. Oliver raced his yacht, "Quambi" on Sydney Harbour until recently.

His feel for the sea is apparent in his work. Oliver believes in the importance of truth telling in historical fiction as well as the importance of maintaining suspense. His first novel, Nelson's Folly, attacks the myth-making behind one of history's greatest legends, offering a fresh insight into the lives of Horatio Nelson and his devoted wife Fanny - and is a thrilling story of sacrifice, betrayal, and survival.

To find out more about Oliver, his journey as an author and to share insights on the life and times of Lord and Lady Nelson, visit Oliver's website www.fannynelsonfan.com and read his blog.

You can also follow him on his social accounts:

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/OGreevesAuthor

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/oliver-greeves-107a01/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/OliverGreeves

Andrew Browning
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Kindle Customer

A thoroughly good read!

Reviewed in Australia on 24 January 2021

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Oliver Greeves has created a thoroughly good read in Nelson's Folly. His insights into this flawed and tragic hero of a bygone era are sensitive, balanced and revealing. As an Irishman, I hope he makes more of that country's massive contribution to Nelson's success in his next stories. The Irish formed approximately 25% of the fleet and at all ranks. Much of this contribution is forgotten now due to the history and events that followed later and the confusion that flowed from the propaganda engines in England who rankled at Ireland's persistence to independence. Who knows, perhaps its emphasis in contemporary tales like this one, can do even more to heal the relationship between these two great peoples. Regardless - a thoroughly good read.

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ksiu1

A fun and interesting read!

Reviewed in Australia on 15 October 2021

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A friend made this recommendation and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Oliver Greeves does a wonderful job of bringing you into the 1790's and giving a texture to these historical figures. I would have read it even faster if there was a kindle version but there is something nice about buying a physical book and taking your time with it. Well worth the investment!

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Jeremy Simpson

Telling the 'other side' of the story

Reviewed in Australia on 22 June 2021

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A book written about a story that many have heard but from a different point of view. Very well researched and executed. The story of Nelson and Fanny with even a feminist twist!

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Andrew Browning

A great read

Reviewed in Australia on 29 July 2021

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A real page turner revealing the human side to great figures of history. That it was written by a descendant of Fanny gives the book extra insight and authenticity.

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Amazon Customer

Brilliantly written, excellent scholarship

Reviewed in Australia on 14 October 2021

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This is one of the best books I have read in years. Mr Greeves' research, writing and obvious passion for the subject is outstanding. Thoroughly recommend.

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bryan killalea

An intriguing insight into the life of a great hero

Reviewed in Australia on 2 February 2021

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An excellent and interesting read

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John

Oliver Greeves brings to life the characters behind Admiral Lord Nelson's rise to power and glory

Reviewed in Australia on 14 January 2021

“Behind every great man is a woman”, goes the old saying and, according to the Nelson mythology, that woman was Emma Hamilton. Behind her, Fanny (Frances), his wife of almost two decades, gets little credit. Seen by some as less than her husband’s intellectual equal, and lacking Lady Hamilton’s desire for fame, or her infamy, she remains an obscure figure – according to 19th century historians, the scorned shrew of wife who had failed to recognise her husband’s glory or accept his all too human shortcomings.

Nelson remains a towering figure in British and world history – the leader who challenged and defeated Napoleon’s forces on land and sea; the admiral who crushed his ambitions in Egypt, the “Immortal Memory” toasted by two centuries of Royal Navy officers; a man for whose death his sailors wept. Yet, despite his many successes, helped by his undoubted courage and a dose of good luck, Nelson was often reckless, antagonistic to colleagues, and sometimes lacking in good judgment. His many victories helped ensure the global hegemony of the Royal Navy, which led to the Pax Britannica, a century of peace in Europe. Ruthless in battle; Nelson could also be ruthless to friends and family, as seen in his treatment of Fanny, and of his stepson, Josiah Nisbet, who served alongside him for five years and who had saved his life at Santa Cruz.

Despite her historically low profile, Fanny Nelson was a power behind the scenes. On her own for much of the marriage whilst Nelson was at sea, she nevertheless managed his business affairs, working quietly and tirelessly on his behalf with her friends and family in royal and political circles to advance his interests. Her friendships with powerful families and with the King helped smooth Nelson’s path and advance his career, despite his remarkable ability to make powerful enemies. She did not deserve Nelson’s coldness and contempt towards her; she does not deserve history’s (or his story’s) neglect of her story. In a time of MeToo, this novel helps set the story aright.

First-time author Oliver Greeves is a descendant of Fanny and the great-great-grandson of Josiah Nisbet; he unsurprisingly and unashamedly takes Fanny’s side yet remains sympathetic to Nelson’s humanity and brilliance. This is a lightly fictionalised account of Nelson, of Fanny, and of Josiah, and of the cast of notable and minor historic figures that surrounded them. The battles rate brief accounts, but this is not, primarily a novel of war – rather, it is a compelling account of people and relationships, of individuals whose names we may know, but whose lives have, until now, been largely two-dimensional. Greeves brings them brilliantly to life. I particularly enjoyed his description of Josiah Nisbet, a competent and experienced officer, promoted early thanks to his stepfather’s influence, then harshly dealt with by Nelson. He and his mother Fanny come alive, as real people, but not without their own flaws, either.

Do not be put off by the title; “Nelson’s Folly”. Nelson was brilliant, and cruel, and could be foolish too; he was a flawed genius, not a saint. History is written by, and of, the victors, but the victims and those behind the scenes deserve a voice too, and Oliver Greeves here gives them one. Strongly recommended. Even for Nelson fans.

One person found this helpful

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Nadja

Terrific story of 18thC battles; naval and social - great way to escape from thinking about Covid!

Reviewed in Australia on 3 January 2021

Oliver really gets into the heads of this strong-willed, historical couple and their world. His well-crafted writing enables him to add many extra insights into how Nelson’s risk-taking nature impacted on his career and those around him, that just can’t be found elsewhere. I also enjoyed seeing Fanny’s character develop as a woman coping with the challenges of society and trying to define her role as a hero’s wife. Everything from battles to the setting and the food is skilfully integrated to make an educational as well as an enjoyable read. A terrific way to escape from thinking about covid! Highly recommended!

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Top reviews from other countries

Helenix

Unexpected insights

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 3 February 2021

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I do not read many fact based historical novels but I found this gave a really interesting perspective on Nelson's life and times. The ending was rather unexpected and ultimately satisfying. The author's notes on his family connection with one of the protagonists are an added bonus. Thank you.

MR C OLDFIELD

I was eager to return to the book, to find out what happened next to these convincing characters.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 2 January 2021

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An engaging and frequently exciting novel showing that heroes are often flawed when closely examined. The author has created a wonderfully descriptive narrative with contextual snippets and leads us to want more. I trust the future exploits of Josiah will satisfy this need.

Elena M

Riveting Read!

Reviewed in the United States on 12 February 2021

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I love the genre of historical fiction and Nelson's Folly does not disappoint! The author takes you right into the world of 18th Century England and brings it alive with nuanced characters. One minute I felt like I was in a Jane Austen novel, complete with characters in the country and London society who treasure social standing over good character. The next minute, we're in a battle scene! The book includes the ins and outs of military hierarchies, the power of connections and the importance of titles. The last few chapters are particularly riveting and I could not put the book down. Highly recommend!

2 people found this helpful

Timothy J. A.

Great historical journey

Reviewed in the United States on 8 April 2022

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Oliver Greeves provides us with a wonderful historical fiction about not just the arc of Horatio Nelson’s feats but also the story of his wife Fanny who had to deal with his arrogance and infidelity and the struggles of a woman controlling her own fate in the late 1700’s in England. Written in an entertaining way that an American audience, who did not grow up with the legendary stories of Admiral Nelson, will still appreciate. I can’t wait for publication of Greeves’ next book on Josiah, Fanny’s son.

Brendan M. Fisk

Factually accurate and beautifully written

Reviewed in the United States on 25 December 2021

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The novel accurately describes Admiral Nelson’s brilliant navel career and inner workings of the British Admiralty. It also centrally portrays Fanny, Nelson’s wife, in her struggles at a time in history when the legal system gave few rights to women. This novel is well worth the read.

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