Who has ever before analysed such themes as the impact of spirituality or religion on Nelson's war-making? Who has ever asked whether Nelson actually fought well when ashore? Who has asked whether Nelson made an effective coalition partner or leader? Who has, in recent decades anyway, asked whether Nelson is still RELEVANT to today's navies?

Joel Hayward has answered these and many other unique questions, and has written his book with such mastery of English that his eloquence and elegance make the book a genuine pleasure to read.

I know nothing about the author but I intend to see what else he has written and I'll buy it. He is a powerfully original thinker and has written the best and most analytical military book I have read aside from the masterly John Keegan himself.

This book has my highest recommendation, and then some!!

But the scarcity of insightful, informed and UP-TO-DATE analyses of his naval strategies, tactics, leadership, command and management has been very frustrating for those of us who believe that Nelson still has RELEVANCE for TODAY'S warriors.

A ceaseless flow of books essentially narrating Nelson's life without thorough analysis has become boring and adds to our frustrations.

Dr Hayward is the first to address our frustrations, and his book does so splendidly.

Hayward demonstrates through a highly unusual, interesting and effective thematic approach that Nelson rivals Napoleon as their era's "greatest champion" and that, even though sea warfare has changed considerably, a study of Nelson's art of war will teach, challenge, enrich and impress today's naval warriors and all other armed forces personnel.

Like in Hayward's ground-breaking STOPPED AT STALINGRAD, the author asks new questions and often presents highly original answers. Even if a few other Nelson experts will disagree with some conclusions, all will be stimulated to dig deeper themselves as a response to this brilliant and long-overdue book.

The author doesn't disparage the works of other Nelson scholars and writers. On the contrary, he acknowledges openly that his book is an attempt to repay the intellectual debt he owes them. He's gracious and not at all dogmatic even when pointing out where another scholar has apparently erred.

The writing is terrific. It is reflective, engaging, informative and fluent. I read each chapter (effectively separate but related, cutting-edge essays) in single sitting.

The book is also very attractive, with fine maps and illustrations.

If you want to read something new and original about naval warfare's greatest admiral, FOR GOD AND GLORY cannot be (NO! MUST NOT BE) overlooked. It is a lovely book and a great step forward in terms of what we know about Lord Nelson as a warrior.

Hayward's coverage of Nelson's abilities is balanced. While Hayward can't hide the fact that he admires him, and doesn't try to hide it, he points out carefully and in a fair way how weak Nelson was in some areas and why these weaknesses caused errors and disasters.

Hayward's approach is to write inter-related chapters that are essentially essays. He doesn't narrate in a chronological fashion like nearly every other writer on Nelson does. He critiques and analyses things, with an expertise in military matters that we haven't seen in Nelson books in recent years.

I applaud this book, which is attractive and has great maps, beautifull illustrations and a handy index.

I followed the author's suggestions (I was willing to try anything): I held the book in my two hands, held the problem or dilemma in my mind, meditated a bit on it, let my mind (and body) be still...then closed my eyes, made my request in a question form...and opened the book. I would always open it and only look at the page that I "felt" I was being led to by one of my fingers.

Most of the time I was amazed: the quotation on the page TRULY referred to my problem and gave me some insight. And I (more often than not) acted on it. Once in a while I'd get an answer that didn't seem like an answer, so I'd reframe the question and start the process again.

Years later I gifted this book to someone in trouble. And I truly missed not having it. Then, last month, I bought it AGAIN...this time in hardcover.

I STRONGLY recommend this book. Even if you read it from cover to cover (which is not really how it is designed to be used) you'd gain a wealth of insight, since the quotations -- from yogis, to Eileen Cassidy, to the Bible, to Walt Whitman -- are the BEST to help steer your thinking (and some say guide your intuition) towards helpful, often healing solutions.

This is a small but potent book. Great to read. Great to use as a little voice that will answer your questions as you randomly turn to a page after a bit of meditation. And, most of all, GREAT to GIFT to friends, family or someone who's facing some difficult challenges. Once you use this book you'll never want to be without it.

Best wishes to you all...

There are hundreds of ideas for using fresh and dried flowers. The step-by-step sequences make the techniques clear and simple. When you start arranging flowers, you quickly find out you need an "essential kit" in order to complete even a basic flower arrangement. This is where "Practical Techniques" comes into play.

You will want to buy a glue gun, floral wires, pruning knife, florist's scissors, etc. All the essential supplies are listed with pictures. This book is filled with pictures! The first chapter discusses Flowers In Civilization and shows flowers in history and art.

Elements of Design is a visual guide to flower colors and the pages are filled with piles of wonderful petals in every color. I loved the Container Shapes section. There are two sections, with one further into the book.

This book is SO INCREDIBLE! .....Shall I continue..?

Then, we get to Inspiration. You will find page after page after page of mini-floral displays with the page number so you can learn how to make the arrangement with precise instructions. There are arrangements in this book you would not even imagine in your wildest floral dreams.

For instance, on page 96 there is an underwater floral arrangement. There are upside down glasses, with flowers in them, floating in the water and facing outwards in a huge vase. Then, OH MY..I happen upon page 212 and there is a hanging upside down Christmas Tree dangling dangerously from the ceiling. I am not sure I approve! Decorating the tree looked a bit dangerous, but it sure was creative.

A Floral Ice Bowl on page 248 is one of my favorite ideas as the flowers are suspended in their original beauty in ice. Then, in the summer...how about a "watermelon vase?" The Floral Place Setting is a way to beautifully decorate each place setting is a wonderful summer idea or dried herbs could be used in the winter. The mini-christmas trees are an idea even children could help make.

An A-Z plant guide is a huge section. This visual guide will introduce you to just about every flower you would ever want to use in an arrangement. Some useful addresses complete with Web site addresses gives you even more information. An easy-to-use Index helps you locate your favorite flowers.

If you want inspiration and information, this is the book for you!

I highly recommend this book to anyone, gay or straight, who desires to learn the facts about homosexuality, and how real people can deal with its unique problems in a positive way.

I didn't know a book on this subject could be as enlightening, inspiring, and informative all at the same time. Truly insightful in delivering and uncovering of the "Homosexual" dilemna of children who at some point in their lives have decided to face the consequences of telling their parents who they really are.

This book focuses on uncovering the heartaches, fear, rejection, love of parents and at the same time confusion and self-doubt faced by most parents of homosexual children. This book provides personal glimpses and sheds some light on parent's fears that they are somehow responsible for who their children have become regarding their sexuality and focuses more on accepting and loving their child for the whole person that they have become instead of hating them or rejecting them for that one aspect of their life.

Dénes Bernád, Aviation Historian and Author