Seize, Burn, or Sink: The Thoughts and Words of Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson contains over 3,000 quotations from Sir Horatio Nelson, the most famous leader in British Naval history. Taken from both Nelson's official letters as well as his personal ones, the quotes presented within bring insight into the thoughts and character of the greatest fighting admiral who ever lived. Historian Steven Maffeo has carefully boiled down more than 4,000 letters and documents of Nelson's writing to single out the cream of Nelsonian commentary. Organized chronologically by topic, Nelson's "cheerful, urgent but often wayward and usually unpunctuated stream of consciousness" tackles everything from death and desertion to leadership and loyalty. A detailed index is also included for readers wishing to know Nelson's opinion on a specific individual, event, or place.

Seize, Burn, or Sink is a goldmine of information and insight on this extraordinary man who has continued to capture the imagination of individuals for generations. Readers and historians engrossed with the age-of-sail and the late eighteenth century are finally presented with a firsthand look at Nelson's words gathered in one convenient source. Moreover, the addition of a chronology of Lord Nelson's life, a bibliography, and maps and photos further enhance the usefulness of Sir Horatio's quotes.