At 12 Mr. Byng was Shot
by Dudley Pope
On This Page
Description
A wonderfully compelling examination of the infamous episode immortalized by Voltaire in "Candide." Admiral John Byng was shot on the deck of the "HMS Monarch" on March 14, 1757. His offense: following his superiors' orders. The British navy sent his poorly armed ship to fight the French, using outdated tactics. The offensive failed. Though Byng was cleared of cowardice, he received a death sentence for "error of judgment." He died...giving the signal to the firing squad for his own execution.Tags
Recommendations
Member Reviews
1701 At Twelve Mr. Byng Was Shot, by Dudley Pope (read 21 Mar 1982) This is on the incident which resulted in Admiral Byng being shot on 14 March 1758. It is very well told, and is of course a lamentable story. John Byng was sent to the Mediterranean in 1757 with a weak squadron, engaged in a battle with the French off Minorca, and then the next day the squadron--some ships in which had been badly damaged--went back to Gibraltar. The Government was looking for a scapegoat and Admiral Byng was court-martialed and shot. Voltaire in Candide has someone say to Candide: 'In this country it is thought well to kill an admiral from time to time to encourage the others."
A fascinating account of one of the greatest miscarriages of justice to happen in the British Navy.
I was given a digital copy of this book by the publisher Endeavour via Netgalley in return for an honest unbiased review.
I was given a digital copy of this book by the publisher Endeavour via Netgalley in return for an honest unbiased review.
Ratings
Members
- Recently Added By
Author Information
49 Works 5,431 Members
Author Dudley Pope was born in Ashford, Kent, England on December 29, 1925. At the age of 16, he joined the Navy as a midshipman, but was invalided out when his ship was torpedoed the next year. He became a journalist for a newspaper in Kent and in 1944, became the naval and defense correspondent for the London Evening News. In 1954, he published show more his first book, Flag 4, which was followed by other books on historical accounts. He is best known for his Nicholas Ramage series, which follows the exploits of Lord Nicholas Ramage during the Napoleonic Wars. The first book of this 18-book series was published in 1965. He died on April 25, 1997. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
Classifications
- Genres
- History, Nonfiction, Biography & Memoir
- DDC/MDS
- 942.072 — History & geography History of Europe England and Wales England Hanover 1714-1837 George II 1727-1760
- LCC
- DA87.1 .B8 .P6 — History of Europe, Asia, Africa and Oceania Great Britain History of Great Britain England History Political, military, naval, and Air Force history.
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 33
- Popularity
- 854,828
- Reviews
- 2
- Rating
- (4.60)
- Languages
- English, Russian
- Media
- Paper, Audiobook, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 5
- ASINs
- 3
