Mr. Midshipman Hornblower

Rating:
Summary: C.S.Forrester at his best.
Review: After every movie about Horatio Hornblower, someone will ask
if anything was ever written about Hornblowers early life.
This IS the start of it all. This book is typical for the
author, detail and nothing going on and then absolute terror.
Hornblower's attempt at suicide is not only sad but original
and the result of the attempt is classic. After you read this
book, go on and read the rest of the Hornblower series. And if
that is not enough for you, try Patrick O'brian. Enjoy.

Rating:
Summary: The first novel chronologically in the series
Review: This was not the first novel written in the Hornblower series, but is the first one chronologically, starting with Hornblower reporting for duty as a new midshipman (he gets seasick while at anchor in port). He has the good luck to receive a transfer to a frigate commanded by Pellew (a real legendary frigate captain). He distinguishes himself in a number of actions, commands and loses a prize captured by the frigate, commands a ship loaded with cattle, commands a boat attack on a Spanish galley, assists a senior captain during a Spanish raid with fireships, and is given command of a small courier vessel carrying dispatches, this last command leading to his capture.

Overall, this is a good account of the varied duties that might be assigned to a junior officer. Readers are referred to the biography of Peter Puget for an account of a real officer.

C. Northcote Parkinson wrote a fictional biography of Hornblower to fill in a family background, and provide some information on how a young man would receive his education and end up in the Royal Navy.

Rating:
Summary: Fine for what it is
Review: These books are good fun, fine examples of adventure novels. The action is often quite exciting and the interest rarely flags. However, if one was to criticise the series then perhaps Forrester's characterisation could be questioned; Hornblower is the world's most popular/beloved man in these works, despite being a rather cold character. This stikes one as odd. However, perhaps the greatest reason that I am reluctant to unreservedly recommend this series is that O'Brian's "Aubrey and Maturin series" trumps Hornblower in every way, and can fairly be considered literature instead of adventure stories (a category to which Forrester's works must be confined). I simply can't be overly enthusiastic about Hornblower when I compare it to O'Brian's sparkling achievement. However, I very much doubt that a reader would be disappointed with Forrester's novels, especially perhaps the younger reader.

Rating:
Summary: Stand lively there.
Review: Mr. Midshipman chronicles Hornblower's first years in the navy. The life of a Midshipman was hard indeed, although arguably better than an ordinary seaman. From his first use of "for'rard" to his first terrifying climb up the mast we begin to learn "the ropes" along with our hero. As time passes and he has various trials and adventures he begins to become the leader and expert sailor of later tales. One of the best part of the whole Hornblower series is the accuracy and detail with which the life aboard vessels is depicted. You can almost feel the deck pitch. Great beginning to a great adventure series.

Rating:
Summary: Great series of books
Review: I became entrapped by Hornblower 45 years ago. My bookshelf isn't complete (never has been) without a full set right there where I can get to them when the urge strikes to read them all again. Seems to happen every 2-3 years. I thoroughly recommend them for young and old.