This entire series is a wonderful way to learn history or teach it to adolescents. I find today's generations seem to recall more when they learn through other people (pop songs, celebrity gossip, etc.), so what better way to teach history than through someone else's perspective? Yes, "authentic" diaries would be "better", but would the language really hold the modern student's attention? Did the diary writer know what WOULD be important in the context of history? Probably not.

The yards came round, spilling the wind from the sails, and Norse man slowed to a standstill just out of range of the enemy's guns wallowing a little in the swell. More and more of the ships in Lord Nelson's column were coming up in turn to add the weight of their gunfire to the fray. Beyond, I could see the ships of Admiral Collingwood's column similarly engaged. It was a tremendous spectacle that almost made me forget the task I had been given. I looked towards the front of the enemy line and, sure enough, five of their ships were turning slowly and heading back towards the fighting...