Sunday, October 30, 2022
Flying Colours
by C. S. Forester
(Of course I had to read the next Hornblower right away.)
First read in February of 2017.
On my shelf.
LibraryThing link
Labels: CSForester, HornblowerSaga, OnMyShelf
Friday, October 28, 2022
Ship of the Line
by C. S. Forester
First read in January of 2017.
On my shelf.
LibraryThing link
Labels: CSForester, HornblowerSaga, OnMyShelf
Wednesday, January 23, 2019
Admiral Hornblower in the West Indies
by C. S. Forester
As I've been reading through the Hornblower Novels, I've wondered what this book would be like. In the midst of tales of action and adventure, the thought of the hero as a middle-aged admiral doesn't seem all that appealing. Fortunately, Mr. Forester's imagination is better than mine. Admiral Hornblower in the West Indies is a satisfying end to the series. In this book, Horatio Hornblower, is more of a trickster than an action hero. He still has his skirmishes, but saves the day with strategy rather than brute strength. (Well, his own brute strength that is. He does employ the more vigorous men under his command.) Unlike the previous books, the tale is less of a day to day account of a particular mission, but rather tells the highlights of a three year posting in the Caribbean. It ends with a final sea voyage, and a battle against nature rather than enemy ships.
Definitely on my shelf.
LibraryThing link
As I've been reading through the Hornblower Novels, I've wondered what this book would be like. In the midst of tales of action and adventure, the thought of the hero as a middle-aged admiral doesn't seem all that appealing. Fortunately, Mr. Forester's imagination is better than mine. Admiral Hornblower in the West Indies is a satisfying end to the series. In this book, Horatio Hornblower, is more of a trickster than an action hero. He still has his skirmishes, but saves the day with strategy rather than brute strength. (Well, his own brute strength that is. He does employ the more vigorous men under his command.) Unlike the previous books, the tale is less of a day to day account of a particular mission, but rather tells the highlights of a three year posting in the Caribbean. It ends with a final sea voyage, and a battle against nature rather than enemy ships.
Definitely on my shelf.
LibraryThing link
Labels: CSForester, HornblowerSaga, OnMyShelf
Thursday, July 12, 2018
Lord Hornblower
by C. S. Forester
It was the best of books, it was the worst of books... Okay, that's a bit of hyperbole. Lord Hornblower, the penultimate novel of the Hornblower series, is a very good adventure. Once again Horatio Hornblower finds obstacles in his mission--this time his task is to recover a ship captured by mutineers. Once again he wrestles with self doubt. And once again he proves himself to be the resourceful, creative, and heroic commander that everyone else in the story knows him to be. But then Mr. Forester has to peg on another adventure, where Hornblower is less than exemplary and which ends... well, let's just say I was completely underwhelmed. I think I liked the ending of the unfinished novel better. In Mr. Forester's defense, he did need to follow history in this historical novel. Letting Hornblower enjoy a "happily ever after" at the end of the first adventure really wasn't an option. Anyway, don't let my grumblings dissuade you from checking it out.
LibraryThing link
It was the best of books, it was the worst of books... Okay, that's a bit of hyperbole. Lord Hornblower, the penultimate novel of the Hornblower series, is a very good adventure. Once again Horatio Hornblower finds obstacles in his mission--this time his task is to recover a ship captured by mutineers. Once again he wrestles with self doubt. And once again he proves himself to be the resourceful, creative, and heroic commander that everyone else in the story knows him to be. But then Mr. Forester has to peg on another adventure, where Hornblower is less than exemplary and which ends... well, let's just say I was completely underwhelmed. I think I liked the ending of the unfinished novel better. In Mr. Forester's defense, he did need to follow history in this historical novel. Letting Hornblower enjoy a "happily ever after" at the end of the first adventure really wasn't an option. Anyway, don't let my grumblings dissuade you from checking it out.
LibraryThing link
Labels: CheckItOut, CSForester, HornblowerSaga
Sunday, January 21, 2018
Commodore Hornblower
by C.S. Forester
Book number 9 in the saga! As the story started out, I thought it definitely read like a sequel. I envisioned Mr. Forester sitting before his typewriter thinking, "Let's see. I've given Hornblower adventures in the English channel, the Mediterranean, the Pacific. Where else can I have him sail? I know! Let's send him to the Baltic!" So Captain Hornblower is made Commodore of a small fleet and spends 1812 attempting to thwart Napoleon's war effort in northern Europe. But the story wasn't just a case of "same adventures, different backdrop". In this novel, Hornblower takes on the role of diplomat, hoping to keep Sweden and Russia from falling to France's armies. There's military action as well, though Hornblower has to face the challenge of fighting opponents on land. All in all it's another entertaining book in the series.
Another one on the shelf
LibraryThing link
Book number 9 in the saga! As the story started out, I thought it definitely read like a sequel. I envisioned Mr. Forester sitting before his typewriter thinking, "Let's see. I've given Hornblower adventures in the English channel, the Mediterranean, the Pacific. Where else can I have him sail? I know! Let's send him to the Baltic!" So Captain Hornblower is made Commodore of a small fleet and spends 1812 attempting to thwart Napoleon's war effort in northern Europe. But the story wasn't just a case of "same adventures, different backdrop". In this novel, Hornblower takes on the role of diplomat, hoping to keep Sweden and Russia from falling to France's armies. There's military action as well, though Hornblower has to face the challenge of fighting opponents on land. All in all it's another entertaining book in the series.
Another one on the shelf
LibraryThing link
Labels: CSForester, HornblowerSaga, OnMyShelf
Saturday, February 04, 2017
Flying Colours
by C. S. Forester
(Okay, I almost lasted a week before running to the store to buy this one.) This book follows up on the heels of Ship of the Line. As far as naval adventures go, it's an odd one. Captain Hornblower doesn't sail on the sea until page 175. Instead he gets a taste of imprisonment--the fallout from the disaster he faced at the end of the last volume--and faces his own mortality. Rather than worrying for himself, however, he thinks of his loved ones, his crew and his reputation. Of course, when danger and opportunity arises, Hornblower plunges in and comes through with... (nah, too easy) Like the rest of the series, it was a very enjoyable read. I wasn't entirely satisfied with the ending of this, the original Hornblower trilogy, however. It tied up the loose ends a little too nicely. Still, it's a small flaw in a remarkable series.
Another one on my shelf.
LibraryThing link
(Okay, I almost lasted a week before running to the store to buy this one.) This book follows up on the heels of Ship of the Line. As far as naval adventures go, it's an odd one. Captain Hornblower doesn't sail on the sea until page 175. Instead he gets a taste of imprisonment--the fallout from the disaster he faced at the end of the last volume--and faces his own mortality. Rather than worrying for himself, however, he thinks of his loved ones, his crew and his reputation. Of course, when danger and opportunity arises, Hornblower plunges in and comes through with... (nah, too easy) Like the rest of the series, it was a very enjoyable read. I wasn't entirely satisfied with the ending of this, the original Hornblower trilogy, however. It tied up the loose ends a little too nicely. Still, it's a small flaw in a remarkable series.
Another one on my shelf.
LibraryThing link
Labels: CSForester, HornblowerSaga, OnMyShelf
Wednesday, January 25, 2017
Ship of the Line
by C. S. Forester
A cliffhanger? He ends the book on a cliffhanger?? Arrrgghhh! Anyway, Ship of the Line is the sequel to Beat to Quarters. Captain Hornblower has returned from his assignment in the Pacific Ocean and is assigned to the the HMS Sutherland, a ship of the line in Admiral Leighton's squadron. After his many months alone in the Pacific, Hornblower chafes a bit at being part of a squadron under the Admiral's direct orders. But Hornblower still finds opportunities for adventure, striking blow after blow to Napoleon's war effort.
And then there's the cliffhanger. sigh. I was stretching these books out, letting months go between volumes. Now I'll be lucky to wait a few weeks before visiting the bookstore.
It's on my shelf!
LibraryThing link
A cliffhanger? He ends the book on a cliffhanger?? Arrrgghhh! Anyway, Ship of the Line is the sequel to Beat to Quarters. Captain Hornblower has returned from his assignment in the Pacific Ocean and is assigned to the the HMS Sutherland, a ship of the line in Admiral Leighton's squadron. After his many months alone in the Pacific, Hornblower chafes a bit at being part of a squadron under the Admiral's direct orders. But Hornblower still finds opportunities for adventure, striking blow after blow to Napoleon's war effort.
And then there's the cliffhanger. sigh. I was stretching these books out, letting months go between volumes. Now I'll be lucky to wait a few weeks before visiting the bookstore.
It's on my shelf!
LibraryThing link
Labels: CSForester, HornblowerSaga, OnMyShelf
Saturday, February 06, 2016
Beat to Quarters
by C. S. Forester
First read in January 2013
It was the first of times, it was the sixth of times... Hmmm, that doesn't sound all that clever now that I've typed it out. Anyway, in reading through the chronological order of the story of Horatio Hornblower, I have once again read the first novel written by Mr. Forester. Once again I was impressed by a story where the man of action does more than just beat the bad guys. Captain Hornblower has to deal with politics, with supplying his ship thousands of miles from his home port, and with the various people aboard his ship. (one more than the rest, if you know what I mean.)(Well, read the book and you will.) All in all, it makes an entire world in which to escape.
Keeping it on my shelf.
LibraryThing link
First read in January 2013
It was the first of times, it was the sixth of times... Hmmm, that doesn't sound all that clever now that I've typed it out. Anyway, in reading through the chronological order of the story of Horatio Hornblower, I have once again read the first novel written by Mr. Forester. Once again I was impressed by a story where the man of action does more than just beat the bad guys. Captain Hornblower has to deal with politics, with supplying his ship thousands of miles from his home port, and with the various people aboard his ship. (one more than the rest, if you know what I mean.)(Well, read the book and you will.) All in all, it makes an entire world in which to escape.
Keeping it on my shelf.
LibraryThing link
Labels: CSForester, HornblowerSaga, OnMyShelf
Wednesday, January 20, 2016
Hornblower and the "Atropos"
by C. S. Forester
Volume Five of the Hornblower series sees Horatio Hornblower in command of first a funeral barge on the Thames and then a small sloop in the Mediterranean. There seemed to be less military action in this tale than in some of the other volumes. What action there was served to highlight Captain Hornblower as a strategist, making due with a small ship and limited resources. It was an enjoyable read and made me eager to grab the next volume off the shelf.
(And, of course, put this volume on my shelf.)
LibraryThing link
Volume Five of the Hornblower series sees Horatio Hornblower in command of first a funeral barge on the Thames and then a small sloop in the Mediterranean. There seemed to be less military action in this tale than in some of the other volumes. What action there was served to highlight Captain Hornblower as a strategist, making due with a small ship and limited resources. It was an enjoyable read and made me eager to grab the next volume off the shelf.
(And, of course, put this volume on my shelf.)
LibraryThing link
Labels: CSForester, HornblowerSaga, OnMyShelf
Friday, August 28, 2015
Hornblower During the Crisis
by C. S. Forester
The first part of this book an uncompleted story that follows the events of Hornblower and the "Hotspur". Hornblower is between assignments, yet manages to find himself in action against the French. The extant part of the story ends with him receiving an espionage assignment to Spain. Then, to make the book somewhat thicker, the editors added two short stories. "Hornblower's Temptation" is set during his years as a lieutenant aboard the Renown, while "The Last Encounter" occurs on land, during a stormy evening at Admiral Lord Hornblower's estate. While it's not Mr. Forester's best work, it is all entertaining.
Adding it to my shelf.
LibraryThing link
The first part of this book an uncompleted story that follows the events of Hornblower and the "Hotspur". Hornblower is between assignments, yet manages to find himself in action against the French. The extant part of the story ends with him receiving an espionage assignment to Spain. Then, to make the book somewhat thicker, the editors added two short stories. "Hornblower's Temptation" is set during his years as a lieutenant aboard the Renown, while "The Last Encounter" occurs on land, during a stormy evening at Admiral Lord Hornblower's estate. While it's not Mr. Forester's best work, it is all entertaining.
Adding it to my shelf.
LibraryThing link
Labels: CSForester, HornblowerSaga, OnMyShelf
Sunday, January 11, 2015
Hornblower and the “Hotspur”
by C. S. Forester
Chronologically, this is the fourth book in Hornblower series, telling the tale of Horatio Hornblower's command of the Sloop-of-war HMS Hotspur. He spends over two years on this tour of duty--dealing with espionage, politics, bad weather, homesickness, and, once or twice, actual war. ... That didn't sound too exciting, did it? Well, that was my writing. Mr. Forester made it all quite interesting. It was very easy to put my feet up and lose myself in Hornblower's world of 1803.
As I enjoyed the book, I occasionally mused over Star Trek. As I mentioned before, I've read that Horatio Hornblower was part of the inspiration for Captain Kirk. I think one reason I'd rather pick up this novel rather than one of the multitude of Trek novels out there is that Hotspur shows the challenges of not only fighting a war but the regular hardships of keeping a warship afloat and functioning. It's a depth of setting and character that you don't get in lesser works. Anyway, that's why Hornblower and the “Hotspur” goes on my shelf, and will undoubtedly be followed by the other books in the series.
LibraryThing link
Chronologically, this is the fourth book in Hornblower series, telling the tale of Horatio Hornblower's command of the Sloop-of-war HMS Hotspur. He spends over two years on this tour of duty--dealing with espionage, politics, bad weather, homesickness, and, once or twice, actual war. ... That didn't sound too exciting, did it? Well, that was my writing. Mr. Forester made it all quite interesting. It was very easy to put my feet up and lose myself in Hornblower's world of 1803.
As I enjoyed the book, I occasionally mused over Star Trek. As I mentioned before, I've read that Horatio Hornblower was part of the inspiration for Captain Kirk. I think one reason I'd rather pick up this novel rather than one of the multitude of Trek novels out there is that Hotspur shows the challenges of not only fighting a war but the regular hardships of keeping a warship afloat and functioning. It's a depth of setting and character that you don't get in lesser works. Anyway, that's why Hornblower and the “Hotspur” goes on my shelf, and will undoubtedly be followed by the other books in the series.
LibraryThing link
Labels: CSForester, HornblowerSaga, OnMyShelf
Sunday, January 26, 2014
Lieutenant Hornblower
by C. S. Forester
One more Hornblower novel on my shelf. A great, entertaining read.
LibraryThing link
One more Hornblower novel on my shelf. A great, entertaining read.
LibraryThing link
Labels: CSForester, HornblowerSaga, OnMyShelf
Friday, January 04, 2013
Beat to Quarters
by C. S. Forester
This one's the first book in the Horatio Hornblower saga... or the sixth. It all depends how you count them. This one's the first that was published, but it takes place in the middle of Horatio Hornblower's life. I can't quite recall why I decided to read this after the other first one, but I did. It's a great tale, telling of Captain Hornblower's adventures in the Pacific off the coast of Central America. There are scenes of action and conflict, but also of introspection. I think I'm going to have to make room for the series on my shelf... and then figure out which one of the series to read next.
LibraryThing link
This one's the first book in the Horatio Hornblower saga... or the sixth. It all depends how you count them. This one's the first that was published, but it takes place in the middle of Horatio Hornblower's life. I can't quite recall why I decided to read this after the other first one, but I did. It's a great tale, telling of Captain Hornblower's adventures in the Pacific off the coast of Central America. There are scenes of action and conflict, but also of introspection. I think I'm going to have to make room for the series on my shelf... and then figure out which one of the series to read next.
LibraryThing link
Labels: CSForester, HornblowerSaga, OnMyShelf
Friday, July 22, 2011
Mr. Midshipman Hornblower
by C.S. Forester
I once read an article that compared Captain James T. Kirk, of Star Trek to Captain Horatio Hornblower. In fact, if I recall correctly, the article even said that Hornblower was one of the inspirations for Captain Kirk. I resolved then and there to read some of those Hornblower novels, as they were undoubtedly good stuff. So now it's thirty or so years later and I've read my first one. Don't let anyone, not even my wife--especially not my wife--tell you that I never get around to reading the books on my reading list.
Um, where was I? Ah, yes. Horatio Hornblower. This is not the first Hornblower novel ever written, but it is the first in the series chronology. It tells the tale of Horatio Hornblower's first voyages in the 1790's as a midshipman in His Majesty's Navy. Actually, I should say "tales", as the book is more like a collection of short stories rather than a single narrative. While he doesn't quite explore strange, new worlds, Hornblower does have some interesting adventures as he faces the dangers--of both man and nature--on land and sea. It's definitely a keeper.
On my shelf, it is!
LibraryThing link
I once read an article that compared Captain James T. Kirk, of Star Trek to Captain Horatio Hornblower. In fact, if I recall correctly, the article even said that Hornblower was one of the inspirations for Captain Kirk. I resolved then and there to read some of those Hornblower novels, as they were undoubtedly good stuff. So now it's thirty or so years later and I've read my first one. Don't let anyone, not even my wife--especially not my wife--tell you that I never get around to reading the books on my reading list.
Um, where was I? Ah, yes. Horatio Hornblower. This is not the first Hornblower novel ever written, but it is the first in the series chronology. It tells the tale of Horatio Hornblower's first voyages in the 1790's as a midshipman in His Majesty's Navy. Actually, I should say "tales", as the book is more like a collection of short stories rather than a single narrative. While he doesn't quite explore strange, new worlds, Hornblower does have some interesting adventures as he faces the dangers--of both man and nature--on land and sea. It's definitely a keeper.
On my shelf, it is!
LibraryThing link
Labels: CSForester, HornblowerSaga, OnMyShelf
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