Lieutenant Hornblower Paperback – November 1, 1998

It’s been said that a movie based on a book is never as good as the book. But in this case I have to say that’s not true in this case. The book is good but the tv miniseries they made based on this novel, starring Ioan Gruffud is better. Better action, the miniseries made the characters more interesting. It’s still a good book

What I really think CS Forester does well is getting into the mind of the characters and explaining their thoughts and emotions while the action is happening without detracting from the suspense of the action. Also, I appreciate that the book was told entirely from Bush's POV, despite Hornblower being the titular character. That might be because this particular novel was written after Bush and Hornblower were established as a duo in other novels of the series, but either way it lends to a great layering of the story, and provides an interesting insight to both Bush and Hornblower. Against the only other novel of CS Forester I read, 'Mr. Midshipman Hornblower', this outside perspective enlivened and enlarged our hero. There were many moments throughout the book where I was at the edge of my seat anxious to read on. An easy but rich read, I'm glad I found these books.

A good view of the Napoleonic wars from the naval point of view. The Kydd series provides a more historical view.

This is a curious book in that the hero is, of course, Hornblower but it's mostly Hornblower as seen through the eyes of his faithful compatriot Bush. But that only adds to the charm of this offering in the Hornblower series. Hornblower and Bush (H&B) find themselves on a ship of the line that is in revolt against its mad captain. After that situation is handled, it's off to Hispanola for a set-to with the Spanish, in which both H&B distinguish themselves. Don't wanna say too much more lest I spoil it for the reader, but let me say that the late C.S. Forester has become one of my favorite authors. To me, all of the books I've read in the series so far are well-plotted and well-characterized. And they are riveting, aided in no small part by Forester's incredible knowledge of the naval life and terminology of the British fleet during the Napoleonic wars. In Hornblower, he has created a wonderful character who is both heroic and flawed. Lieutenant Hornblower is the kind of guy you'd like to have as a boss and as a friend. Wonderful series. Wonderful book.

This books takes us on a journey with an insane Captain into the American tropics. The crazed Captain takes a spill down a hatchway, and the lieutenants, including the intrepid junior LT, Hornblower, are in charge.They make quick work of a Spanish fort and capture some prizes.At the end of the book, they have to deal with the greatest challenge of all, peace, and the attendant mustering out of 90% of the LTs including our heroes.Fortunately, there is this man named Napoleon.I highly recommend this book.

The novel is narrated through the eyes of Lt. William Bush, and begins when Hornblower greets Bush as the latter comes aboard the 74 gun British battleship HMS Renown (a third-rate ship-of-the-line, not a frigate). Bush and Hornblower are both lieutenants (above midshipmen, but below commanders and captains), and they quickly establish that Bush is senior to Hornblower. Bush will be the third lieutenant whereas Hornblower will be the fifth lieutenant. Bush emerges as a man of action, brave and competent, but not terribly bright.In the early weeks of the voyage, it becomes apparent that the captain is paranoid and insane, and the first problem becomes what to do about him. He eventually is permanently incapacitated by a "fall" down a ladder between decks; the strong implication is that Hornblower took matters into his own hands, but he is far too smart to let on, even by a wink or a facial expression, that he did so.Command goes to the 1st Lieutenant, Buckland, who is dull and indecisive. The conceit of the novel is that Hornblower is a prodigy at naval warfare who manages to remotely captain the ship through his superior officers by means of tactful suggestions to the latter. He proves to be not only a genius at naval warfare, but also a genius at diplomatically managing his senior lieutenants, and prodding them to take what (to him) is the obvious course of action.The last third of the novel is quite slow, and is mainly about how, in peacetime, Hornblower is reduced to poverty and is forced to support himself by playing whist (a trick-taking game similar to Bridge) for money. A superman is hard to identify with, and I think Forester realized that he had made Hornblower a bit too much of a naval genius and that, for purposes of drama and human interest, Hornblower would have to have bad luck in the timing of his career, and also be very awkward around the fair sex.One slightly anachronistic technical term is "port," as in port and starboard, whereas at the time "larboard" and starboard were used for (bow-oriented) left and right. Port replaced larboard only later, in the 1840s. But I think it a nice aspect of the Hornblower novels that Forester does not try to overwhelm and befuddle us with period-accurate language and terminology.

What joy,I have so enjoyed this book.Must learn how to play whist.Can’t wait to read the next one

Not for land lubbers or the faint of heart. But if you like grog and maggoty hard tack, belay the maggoty, then get under way. Fair wind, dolphins, and a jolly good read are ahead.

If you like naval yarns from the time of the Napoleonic wars, this is the book for you. You get all of the Hornblower books, as well as Forester's other novels for a great price. I've read all of the Patrick O'Brien books, but I think the Hornblower books are just as good. This collection is well formatted and a terrific bargain.

A cracker of an book to read. Just as good as all the reviews I’ve heard and easy to see how it has inspired other similar ones

Die Hornblower--Romane waren meine aufregendste Jugendlektüre. Der deshalb vor vielen Jahren angeschaffte Lotse ist bei einem Umzug verloren gegangen. Ich wollte ihn aber wiederhaben und ihn gesucht und bei Amazon gefunden. Sr!!