Mr. Midshipman Hornblower
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5.0 • 3 Ratings
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- $0.99
Publisher Description
Here we meet Horatio Hornblower, a young man of 17, in this Volume #1 of what becomes the 11 volume set about the career of this British Naval officer fighting against Napoleon and his tyranny of Europe as an inexperienced midshipman in January 1794. Bullied and forced into a duel, he takes an even chance. And then he has many more chances to show his skills and ingenuities - from sailing a ship full of wetted and swelling rice to imprisonment and saving the lives of shipwrecked sailors. And along the way, he fights galleys, feeds cattle, stays out of the way of the guillotine, and makes friends with a Duchess. Here Hornblower becomes a man and develops the strength of character which will make him a hero to his men, and to all England.
Customer Reviews
Don't wait as long as I did to READ this series!
I have been a mariner all my life - although not necessarily on sailing vessels. "Sea Stories" have always appealed to me, and with my background, particularly the Farley Mowat "Foundation Maritime" series. The Hornblower TV mini series that was produced by A&E a few years ago has been a favorite of mine as it rang as authentic and interesting with plenty of action and characters that were human - flawed but trying, generally, to do their very best under difficult circumstances. And in all this time, I had never actually read the books!
Well with that long-winded preamble, I am pleased to report that Forester's narrative lives up to the hype and reputation. The stories are told in a straightforward, matter of fact way but with a great edge of adventure and, as with the mini series, plausibility and realism. The actions and reactions of Hornblower and the crews aboard the ships are as true to life as I can imagine. Forester has created a great role model for young people that might aspire to be the best at anything they might choose to be - not just seafarers. In the case of Hornblower, the hero is not particularly strong, attractive or charismatic, but excels by his wits, intelligence and strong moral compass.
Great, easy to read tales that for me, have stood the test of time exceptionally well. Well worth it if you have not yet had the chance to set sail on the Indefatigable or other sailing ship, or if you wish to rejoin the crew after years of hiatus - either way it should be an enjoyable and thrilling journey.