Hornblower : Beat to Quarters by C. S. Forester
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Book Reviews of Hornblower : Beat to Quarters
Book Review: The book against which naval historical fiction is measured.
Summary: 4 Stars
The original Hornblower novel. This book started the popular 17th/18th century naval historical fiction trend.
Beat to Quarters is the story of British frigate on assignment off the Pacific coast of South America. Forester does an excellent job portraying the roles and responsibilities of a commander on foreign station. The story line is well put together, reads easily and moves quickly.
The story concentrates on Captain Hornblower, the commander of the vessel. Many of the details that we currently expect to see in naval historical fiction dealing with ship operation and interaction with the crew are only partially developed. At the time Beat to Quarters was written, there was no assumption of knowledge based on prior reading. There was no other similar reading available!
Overall, Beat to Quarters is worth reading both as a classic and because it is a good book.Book Review: A great read, I guess.
Summary: 4 Stars
Well, I'm just writing this because by 3/4th way through the book i found out that the pages were missing. I was enjoying the book extremely and then there, two chapters were gone. Though I got the end...you know how it is when it happens to you.
So I'm wondering if it's the case with anyone else. And the sad thing is that I read the book 2 years after actually buying it (I had to get through 20 books of Aubrey/Maturin)and it would be silly to ask for return now.
But, the book was fast-paced with action - though at first it was difficult to cope with Hornblower's character, knowing just a little bit about him I could say he whined a lot :l, not outwardly, but - and I hope to read about his early years, intact.
Book Review: Not bad, but not as good as Aubrey/Maturin series
Summary: 4 Stars
Hornblower series are not bad. Unfortunately, I read Aubrey/Maturin (which is much, much better) first. Basically, one could classify the Hornblower series as very good adventure, as opposed to Aubrey/Maturin, which could be classified as very good literature. I started with Midshipman Hornblower, which is probably the best book in the series, and recommend the sequence of reading published on the cover of the books. If you have not read O'Brien yet - good for you!! Start with Hornblower to warm up (it's only 11 books), and then sink your teeth in Master and Commander of Aubrey/Maturin (20 books).Book Review: The fifth novel in the Hornblower series....
Summary: 4 Stars
It is the year 1808 and Hornblower, with the 36 gun ship HMS Lydia, is sent somewhere west of Nicaragua to join forces with an insane Spanish landowner to fight the Spanish government. Little did he know how complex things would become. First he had to deal with the Spanish ship-of-the-line, the Natividad, a 50 gun warship or face being court-martialed. THEN add the Lady Barbara Wellesley, who is very distracting for even a married man, and add a tiny twist that, half-way through the book, Spain switches SIDES! What will happen now?Book Review: Forget O'Brian
Summary: 4 Stars
Recently I was consumed by the O'Brian series, devouring all in a short time. Since I an a surgeon, Maturin was appealing. Simply out of curiosity, I returned to Forester, whom I have not read in thirty years. There is no comparison. The writing flows,the language is not contrived, the battle scenes are riveting. Contrasting the description of his feeling towards Lady Barbara is just wonderful. Beat To Quarters is the best of the two series that I have read.