On my bookshelf
The Aubrey- Maturin series, by Patrick O’Brian
I grew up in Canada a long way from the sea, but my English grandfather planted in me a lifelong passion for the history of the Royal Navy, particularly the era of Nelson.
Combined with maritime history books, the Aubrey- Maturin series – about a naval officer during the Napoleonic Wars, and his friend, a surgeon- spy – has been a good education about how Britain became a superpower. It helped me to make the John “Longitude” Harrison display at Leeds City Museum; but the books’ real lessons are about achieving excellence, recognising core strengths, and focusing on key priorities.
At the Battle of Trafalgar, the Royal Navy lost no ships.This excellence in performance was achieved by naval discipline; fast, accurate gunnery; extreme aggression of the officers in battle; copper-bottomed ships; and superior navigation.
Excellence – personally, professionally, and as part of a team – is a worthy goal in itself because it is character building. So, too, is being of service, which is ultimately what heritage conservation is about. The focus on core strengths is a thick strand woven through all O’Brian’s books, and, for me, a source of inspiration.
Ian Fraser is a conservator for Leeds Museums and Galleries
Combined with maritime history books, the Aubrey- Maturin series – about a naval officer during the Napoleonic Wars, and his friend, a surgeon- spy – has been a good education about how Britain became a superpower. It helped me to make the John “Longitude” Harrison display at Leeds City Museum; but the books’ real lessons are about achieving excellence, recognising core strengths, and focusing on key priorities.
At the Battle of Trafalgar, the Royal Navy lost no ships.This excellence in performance was achieved by naval discipline; fast, accurate gunnery; extreme aggression of the officers in battle; copper-bottomed ships; and superior navigation.
Excellence – personally, professionally, and as part of a team – is a worthy goal in itself because it is character building. So, too, is being of service, which is ultimately what heritage conservation is about. The focus on core strengths is a thick strand woven through all O’Brian’s books, and, for me, a source of inspiration.
Ian Fraser is a conservator for Leeds Museums and Galleries