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5.0étoiles sur 5
"FOR KING AND COUNTRY!", Janv. 29 2002
If you enjoy pre-20th century historical fiction and have a passion for nautical themes, then you will enjoy this 3rd book of Forester's Hornblower series. This series is not written as an epic novel involving a multitude of characters, political angles, or unrelated background events. This series has focused upon the events of Horatio Hornblower ONLY, which I personally enjoy the simplicity yet very entertaining story line. Some advice to readers with minimal knowledge of nautical terminology though, you will be visually lost and not grasp the understandings of the of the tactical ship's situation unless you have a 'Sailing fundamentals or Sailing terminology' book to accompany the books.'Hornblower and the Hotspur' contains the continued character development and life of Horatio Hornblower. He is given his first official command of a sloop of war and begins to encounter a number of challenges with his newly desired responsibilities. He begins to learn the political life and struggles of being a captain while being torn with his own personal beliefs. Also, Horatio passively allows himself to become married without truly wishing to marry his bride and learns that life at sea is often much more rewarding than being a married civilian. But, the continued excitement of amphibious invasions, ship to ship combat laced with strategic sailing and knuckling whitening stress of being torn apart by jagged reefs is all present. I am looking forward to what happens next in 'Hornblower During the Crisis'.
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5.0étoiles sur 5
Everything that I expected and more...., Janv. 25 2002
I read several of the Hornblower books years ago. At that time, I vowed to acquire them all and start from the beginning (in chronological order). This is a great series! I just finished this, the third in the series. Hornblower is becoming quite experienced in ship handling. Bush, who was introduced in the previous book, is now is first lieutenant. Hornblower has been promoted to commander, one step below post captain, and given command of a sloop-of-war of 18 guns. He becomes a vital part of the Inshore Squadron during the blockade of Brest. C.S. does a wonderful job of describing the situations. Points of interest in this book: Hornblower get married and has a son, Hornblower is involved in shore excursions on enemy shores, Hornblower is involved with the taking of the Spanish treasure fleet, Hornblower fights a duel between his sloop (18) and a heavy French frigate (44). There is one nagging point that I have. C.S. spends a lot of time letting the reader know about Hornblowers thoughts. It's especially bad when Hornblower has self doubts. But, once you get used to this style, the book flows quickly. The conclusion of the book is quite sudden and is left wide open for the series to continue. I hope to see Bush and Hornblower together again. Maybe he will even reacquire his steward, Doughty. Good book!
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5.0étoiles sur 5
Little Known Hornblower Literary Interpretation, Janv. 14 2002
What does Hornblower symbolize? I analyzed a number of the novels and have found the answer: America! No, you say, can't be. Well, I will support my claim. In one of the books, I believe it was Lieutenant Hornblower but I am not sure, his birthdate is given as July 4, 1776. I am pretty sure of this, and in Hotspur the year is 1803, and Horatio is 27. Not only that, but Horatio is a more a symbol of American ideals than British. Just a common man becoming one of the most powerful men in the British Navy? But in America, this is not quite so farfetched. He also often thinks about inequality in the Navy and other 'subversive' things that seem perfectly natual in America, such as the abolition of prize money. In any case...
The first two novels, Mr. Midshipman and Lieutenant Hornblower, were good books, but I thought the excellent films based off them pretty much encompassed everything (except Hornblower's down and out days at the end of Lt.). I hear that Hotspur will soon be made into movies in the series, and it will probably be the best yet. Horatio has been given command of a small ship, H.M.S. Hotspur, and has to deal with a cowardly steward, a French frigate twice his size, and the intracacies of espionage even before the fleet arrives. The departure of his friend Adm. Pellew and having no friends in the service, the taking of a Spanish telegraph station, a nighttime raid on French shipping all add to the mounting action. The crowning moment is when Horatio sacrifices great riches to protect the fleet. Horatio is the perfect role model, dashing, gallant, courageous. But he is also perpetually worrying, feeling inferior, and with doubts of his abilities. This is an excellent, action-packed book that also has many moral messages. I can't wait to move on to the Captain books, and I am also going to try Patrick O'Brian's books, as the films have made me slightly obsessed with this period and subject.
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