The old visual telegraphs, which used giant semaphore indicators on a series of highly conspicuous sites, were developed in France during the French Revolution. For the first time news of victories was sent by an army in the field back to the capital in minutes, compared to hours or days by horse. 

The signalling technology was soon copied by the British, who set up telegraph routes extending from London to the great sea ports for transmitting messages to and from the British fleet, engaged in the war against Napoleon.

The fascinating story follows the history of the telegraph on both sides of the English channel and examines it in the context of the war that dominated the period. The stories are told of how the greatest news stories of a lifetime ? the Nile, Trafalgar and Waterloo ? arrived in England, and how important this innovation really was at a time when Britain’s liberty was gravely threatened. 
 

ISBN 1 86126 734 7. 240 pages, hardback with full colour dust jacket. 

£19.95