Ship of the Line (Hornblower Saga) by C. S. Forester
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Book Reviews of Ship of the Line (Hornblower Saga)
Book Review: This is an exciting, action packed novel.
Summary: 5 Stars
Lots of great sea battles, it is one of the best books in the Hornblower saga.Book Review: 4.5 stars -- Fantastic!
Summary: 4 Stars
Ship of the Line is one of the highpoints of the Horatio Hornblower series -- a dazzling adventure built around three-dimensional characters that will have you running to the store to buy the sequel. Do yourself a favor and buy Flying Colours when you buy this one. Otherwise, you'll go crazy waiting to see what happens next.Hornblower, flesh off his triumph in the Pacific, is now assigned to the least desireable two-deck ship of the line, the Sutherland, with only half the crew he needs. Worse yet, he's assigned to duty under Admiral Leighton -- an inexperienced, over-cautious and frankly incompetent commander who also happens to have married the love of Hornblower's life -- Barbara Wellsley.
Will Hornblower overcome these obstacles? You haven't been paying attention if you don't the answer to that already. He quickly becomes the "Terror of the Mediterranean", leading brilliant daring raids against the French on the coast of Spain and finally ending in a stunning battle against four French ships that is possibly the exciting, most heart-rending and most terrifying battle sequence Forester ever wrote. It perfectly capture both the excitement and the horror of warfare.
As usual, it the character of Horatio that elevates this novel from historical drama to classic adventure. He in introspective and moody, intelligent enough to be scared of battle but brave enough to face his fears. He also represents the spirit of the Enlightenment in his disdain for the aristocracy and his belief that his men will fight better if they love him than fear him.
This ranks with Hotspur as the pinnacle of the series. The only reason I didn't give it five stars was the occasional confusion over events and (wait for it) lack of maps. Otherwise, this is a great story.
Book Review: Action-filled adventure in the Mediterranean
Summary: 4 Stars
"Ship of the Line" was the second story written in C.S. Forester's Horatio Hornblower series. As the name implies, Captain Hornblower has command of the ship of the line in this book set during the Napoleonic Wars. Although his ship of the line is an old, unweatherly 74, Hornblower successfully takes her on a cruise off the French and Spanish Mediterranean coast. This book features great naval action, including cutting-out expeditions and a lively
This was the second Horatio Hornblower book that I read, although I had seen the A&E TV series. As a devotee of Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey-Maturin series, I was pleasantly surprised with this Hornblower book and I found Hornblower a much more authentic character than the superman of the TV series. Still, it is hard for me not to compare Hornblower with Captain Aubrey: although I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I find Aubrey a much more fun and likable character than Hornblower. Hornblower is a much more serious and deep character who is driven by self-doubt.
This is a very good book, and I recommend it to anyone with an interest in naval warfare or historical fiction. It is an action-filledt account of naval life and warfare during the Napoleonic era. C.S. Forester started a genre with Horatio Hornblower, and this book is packed with action and adventure.
Book Review: Hornblower continues to hold my interest
Summary: 4 Stars
This is the seventh book in the series that I have read. Even though this is the 2nd book written, it is the 7th in the chronology of Hornblower's life. This is the first book that is a cliffhanger, so I have obtained the next book and have begun reading it already.
I really like the technical detail that Forester puts into these novels. I have learned a lot about sailing and really appreciate the great skill it took for men to sail these warships. As an engineer, everything he explains makes sense and helps me appreciate these novels.
Hornblower's character continues to fascinate me. His strengths and weaknesses are a combination that makes one root for him.
I highly recommend this book and I will continue to read the rest of the series.
Book Review: Hornblower gets his first real ship-of-the-line.
Summary: 4 Stars
The sixth book of the Hornblower series opens in May 1810, 17 years into the Napoleonic Wars. The 39 year old Horatio Hornblower is given command of the 74 gun HMS Sutherland, 'the ugliest and least desirable two-decker in the Navy list.' Also, being 250 men short of a crew, he must enlist and train new members. Will this ship and crew be able to handle BOTH the French navy and army? Is this the end of Hornblower? Of course not, otherwise there wouldn't be more books after this, but don't you want to know how he handles a blockaded Spanish coast AND four French warships?