Rating: 
Summary: Alternate Title
Review: "Beat to Quarters" -- also sold under the title "The Happy Return" -- is unquestionably one of the best in the series. For the first time, we see a natural, feeling Hornblower, rather than the cardboard hero of the earlier books
Rating:
Summary: I ignored an actual battle to read this...
Review: ...or, to be more precise, I sat within yards of a major Civil War re-enactment so engrossed in this book that I managed to ignore artillery and musket fire. I am a big fan of the Aubrey/Maturin series by Patrick O'Brian, but previously looked down my nose at Hornblower, I think because I knew it solely from TV and movies. This book never slows down for a minute--not just battles but ship repair and revictualling seem gripping in the hands of Forester. Based on the films, I was not expecting Hornblower to show much internal life--he always seems to be superhuman on screen, but in the book he must struggle with his softer nature to develop his imperious style. Likewise I expected nothing interesting in the way of female characters, but it was a happy surprise to find Lady Barbara Wellesley on board ship. If you will forgive a few O'Brian/Forrester comparisons: O'Brian is funnier. Forrester's battle scenes are a bit easier for me to follow. Hornblower is a more interesting or at least complex character than Aubrey, but O'Brian has the advantage of Maturin, who not only adds character but allows for dialogue rather than the perennial internal monologues Hornblower has with himself because he has no one of rank to talk to. I hope that more seasoned readers of the series will agree with this appeal to newer readers: Even if you have read neither author, this book is a good place to start.
Rating:
Summary: I ignored an actual battle to read this...
Review: ...or, to be more precise, I sat within yards of a major Civil War re-enactment so engrossed in this book that I managed to ignore artillery and musket fire. I am a big fan of the Aubrey/Maturin series by Patrick O'Brian, but previously looked down my nose at Hornblower, I think because I knew it solely from TV and movies. This book never slows down for a minute--not just battles but ship repair and revictualling seem gripping in the hands of Forester. Based on the films, I was not expecting Hornblower to show much internal life--he always seems to be superhuman on screen, but in the book he must struggle with his softer nature to develop his imperious style. Likewise I expected nothing interesting in the way of female characters, but it was a happy surprise to find Lady Barbara Wellesley on board ship. If you will forgive a few O'Brian/Forrester comparisons: O'Brian is funnier. Forrester's battle scenes are a bit easier for me to follow. Hornblower is a more interesting or at least complex character than Aubrey, but O'Brian has the advantage of Maturin, who not only adds character but allows for dialogue rather than the perennial internal monologues Hornblower has with himself because he has no one of rank to talk to. I hope that more seasoned readers of the series will agree with this appeal to newer readers: Even if you have read neither author, this book is a good place to start.
Rating:
Summary: All Naval Historical Fiction began with this book
Review: A Character loosely based on Nelson, Hornblower's series takes you through being a Midshipman to being an Admiral in the Napoleanic Wars. This series was created during WWII and was the most popular series in England until James Bond came along. The author went on to write other books (like the African Queen), but will always be remembered for this great combination of action, character-development and historical realism. This is a great book for anyone; but as a teen, it was the first series to introduce me to how fascinating and worthwhile reading could be.
Rating: 
Summary: 4.5 stars
Review: Although it was the first book C.S. Forester wrote, Beat To Quarters is chronologically the sixth book in the Hornblower Series. One can see instantly why the series took off when this book hit the press. It is not only a thrilling adventure but establishes a depth of character rarely seen in its genre. This book is the first of a trilogy of connected titles that cover Horatio's rise from an unknown frigate's captain to one of the most famous officers in the Royal Navy. Posted to duty west of Central America, he is expected to navigate not only the water of the Pacific, but the troubled political waters of rebellion and shifting alliances that characterized the Napoleonic wars. He's required to engage a ship of twice his might not once but three times. And of course, he meets Lady Barbara -- destined to become one of the most intruiging characters in his life. I was surprised to find little discontinuity with the "prequel" books that were written after Beat to Quarters. The book almost seamlessly blends with the cannon of Horatio's life, referencing his previous adventures with the Castilla and Captain Pellow. The only real continuity problem is that Bush seems to have lost his memory of the events in the second and third books. This books works because it doesn't try to confine itself to a simple genre. It is, of course, a splendid action adventure and wonderful historical fiction. But it also works as a simple character drama -- establishing three powerful characters -- the taciturn Hornblower, efervescent Bush and charming Barbara -- and creates memorable scenes built solely from conversation and interaction.
Rating:
Summary: 4.5 stars
Review: Although it was the first book C.S. Forester wrote, Beat To Quarters is chronologically the sixth book in the Hornblower Series. One can see instantly why the series took off when this book hit the press. It is not only a thrilling adventure but establishes a depth of character rarely seen in its genre. This book is the first of a trilogy of connected titles that cover Horatio's rise from an unknown frigate's captain to one of the most famous officers in the Royal Navy. Posted to duty west of Central America, he is expected to navigate not only the water of the Pacific, but the troubled political waters of rebellion and shifting alliances that characterized the Napoleonic wars. He's required to engage a ship of twice his might not once but three times. And of course, he meets Lady Barbara -- destined to become one of the most intruiging characters in his life. I was surprised to find little discontinuity with the "prequel" books that were written after Beat to Quarters. The book almost seamlessly blends with the cannon of Horatio's life, referencing his previous adventures with the Castilla and Captain Pellow. The only real continuity problem is that Bush seems to have lost his memory of the events in the second and third books. This books works because it doesn't try to confine itself to a simple genre. It is, of course, a splendid action adventure and wonderful historical fiction. But it also works as a simple character drama -- establishing three powerful characters -- the taciturn Hornblower, efervescent Bush and charming Barbara -- and creates memorable scenes built solely from conversation and interaction.
Rating:
Summary: Exciting Adventure on the High Seas
Review: Beat to Quarters is the sixth book in the eleven book series covering the exploits of Horatio Hornblower. It is also, in my opinion, the best one out of the ones I have read. It's story flows from one point to the next and there is plenty of action in this installment. The first thing I should mention is that Mr. Forrester's description of life onboard a War Ship is quite accurate. Being a member of today's Navy, it's amazing to see just how little has changed in 200 years. Sure, the ships are made of steel, we have satellite communications, etc... However, much has remained the same. We still spend hour after hour cleaning the ship, drilling for action, etc... and Mr. Forrester does a wonderful job capturing this. The second thing about this novel I enjoyed was the description of the battle between the Spanish Warship and Hornblower's Frigate. I was on the edge of my seat wondering how Captain Hornblower would be able to win a battle against the much more powerful Spanish ship. I'm sure you will enjoy this book for these reasons and many others. IF you like good historial Drama then I would HIGHLY recommend this one!
Rating:
Summary: First Hornblower written, maybe the best.
Review: Beat to Quarters was the first of the Hornblower books that Forester wrote. It's a tale of adventure off the west coast of Central America during the early part of the 19th century. Among the problems that Captain Hornblower faces are the changing politics of Spain, are they on our side, or against us. Are we supporting the rebels fighting Spanish rule, or helping them? Hornblower has to capture a much larger Spanish ship twice, once from the Spanish, and once from the rebels he turned it over to. Like all the Hornblower adventures, Forester includes a lot of detailed description of the daily life and hardships of life in the English Navy during the age when ships were of wood and men were of iron. After his final sea battle, which sinks his prize and prevents him from gaining prize money, Hornblower has to careen his own ship on a hidden beach to patch it up before the long trip home. He meets Lady Barbara in Panama, who is to be his future wife and love, but that is for a later story. Whether you read them in the order written, Beat to Quarters first, or in chronological order of Hornblower's life, it's a rousing good tale of the sea, of men and of honor.
Rating:
Summary: First Hornblower written, maybe the best.
Review: Beat to Quarters was the first of the Hornblower books that Forester wrote. It's a tale of adventure off the west coast of Central America during the early part of the 19th century. Among the problems that Captain Hornblower faces are the changing politics of Spain, are they on our side, or against us. Are we supporting the rebels fighting Spanish rule, or helping them? Hornblower has to capture a much larger Spanish ship twice, once from the Spanish, and once from the rebels he turned it over to. Like all the Hornblower adventures, Forester includes a lot of detailed description of the daily life and hardships of life in the English Navy during the age when ships were of wood and men were of iron. After his final sea battle, which sinks his prize and prevents him from gaining prize money, Hornblower has to careen his own ship on a hidden beach to patch it up before the long trip home. He meets Lady Barbara in Panama, who is to be his future wife and love, but that is for a later story. Whether you read them in the order written, Beat to Quarters first, or in chronological order of Hornblower's life, it's a rousing good tale of the sea, of men and of honor.
Rating:
Summary: very nice sea battles
Review: c.s. forester is very good at making hornblower both believable and someone we care about. the sea battles are riveting. didn't have much of a plot though, and it's always painful to read the casual racism in novels of this era. the presence of lady wellesley on board for most of the story didn't really add anything, either.
| 
