Titan: The Art of British Power in the Age of Revolution and Napoleon. William R. Nester. Norman, OK: University of Oklahoma Press, 2016.
Reviewed by Thomas Sheppard
"While Nester does a laudable job summarizing the elements of power that came together in British victory, some still deserve more attention than they receive. One aspect of Britain’s triumph that held far greater significance than its coverage here would indicate is the sheer doggedness of the war effort. For twenty-two years, Britain stayed almost perpetually at war with France, and while it was possible to outsource most of the fighting to allies, thereby avoiding mass conscription, the conflict took an undeniable toll on the British public. The extent to which Parliament had to respond to public opinion, and the population’s willingness to buy in to the war effort were both vital elements of Britain’s ability to project power, and merit greater discussion here...."