Book details
G. A. Henty - Author
This is a naval adventure following Will from ship’s boy to midshipman, with sea battles, pirates, capture and escape, and a final adventure involving Nelson.
Book Analysis
Sign in to see how this book fits your child and family preferences.
Sign in for personalised guidanceHow the book presents it: The overview presents these qualities as important to Will’s progress and eventual success.
Talk about: Does Will’s conduct change as his responsibilities grow?
How the book presents it: The story uses a fictional sailor’s adventures to place its action in named historical battles.
Talk about: How does following Will affect what you notice about these battles?
The story places one young sailor’s career within named battles of the Napoleonic Wars, offering a personal route into its naval setting rather than a purely factual account.
Naval battles, pirate encounters, capture and escape feature in the adventures. A child may want to talk through how these scenes feel as well as what happens.
What do you think Will’s conduct and courage mean in the story, and do you think those qualities are tested differently across his adventures?
Read a little at a time and pause after major encounters to check what has happened and how Will responds; this can help keep the changing adventures clear.
Theme indicators describe how the book presents a topic; they are not a verdict on the whole book or your family's values. Confidence reflects how much book-specific material was checked. Only part of the book information was available, so some details remain unconfirmed.
By Conduct and Courage: A Story of the Days of Nelson - George Alfred Henty - Google Books
Limited information
Checked: 2 October 2026.
Relevant to: General book context
By conduct and courage, a story of the days of Nelson
Limited information
Checked: 2 October 2026.
Relevant to: Conduct and courage; A young sailor in historical battles
Benefits, discussion questions and reading approaches are suggestions. Your knowledge of your child remains part of the decision.
Suitabook