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Summary: A fitting capstone to the Hornblower series
Review: Most reviewers recommend reading the HH books in chronological order and I concur. Save this one for last. A mature and confident Hornblower is at work in this collection of stories, from the improbable encounter with expatriate French troops to the exciting conclusion when Hornblower and Barbara face a hurricane. As the storm builds, Barbara resolves an issue from years earlier and HH is his usual resourceful self is saving the day. This book provides an interesting contrast with his earlier life; one filled with doubts, poverty, and difficulty. It is like a beautiful sunset after a stormy day.
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Summary: Crowning Book in Tremendous Series
Review: My favorite literary series, and my favorite hero. Wonderful action, and a beautiful character study. By all means, though, read them chronologically, starting with Mr. Midshipman Hornblower.
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Summary: Hornblower Completes the Evolution of His Personal Morality!
Review: One of the great rewards of reading all of the Hornblower novels is that C.S. Forester does quite a nice job of developing Hornblower's character and his personal ethics over the decades covered in the books. While young, Hornblower toes the line and is impeccable about appearances. Gradually, he begins to focus on doing justice instead, even if that means violating the rules. Eventually, he violates his own standards on occasion and learns to live with that. By the time readers arrive at Admiral Hornblower in the West Indies, his personal standards are all that matter to him. In particular, you will enjoy comparing how he handled the duel in Mr. Midshipman Hornblower with the fifth section of this book. Admiral Hornblower in the West Indies is a series of five novellas that cover three chronological years at the end of Hornblower's naval career. His title is now "Rear Admiral Lord Hornblower" and he has quite a small squadron which is mostly engaged in stopping pirates and the recently outlawed slave trade in the West Indies. Each story involves some apparently impossible problem, which Hornblower or someone close to him solves. The first story involves trying to stop an American ship, while the two nations are at peace, with a smaller, slower vessel. The second story addresses a fast slave ship in neutral waters that Hornblower wants to capture. The third tale touches on Hornblower becoming embroiled in the problems of an escaped pirate crew. The fourth entry looks into trying to remain neutral during the wars of liberation in South America. The final story is an adventure tale involving Lady Barbara and Hornblower and considers the problems of a marine who refuses orders to play his music the way it is written. Part of the appeal of this book is that it shows the messy way that the challenges of life often evolve. So, what's the best thing to do? It's hard to tell, and circumstances are often different from what they seem. Even though taking action may have long-term negative consequences for oneself, what is the right thing to do? That's the focus here. What opportunities did you have today to do the right thing? How did you do?
Rating:
Summary: An Excellent all around read, a bit "lighter" than some
Review: This chapter in the story of Horatio Hornblower is a bit lighter than some, offering an easy way in to the world of Hornblower. Some of the typical plot elements of C.S. Forester's books are missing, such as the long drawn out plots, but are replaced by a quick entry to action.
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Summary: C.S. Forrester makes a clever joke
Review: This final book of Hornblower's advertures is structured into 5 relatively self-contained episodes concerning his final posting before retirement at half-pay. The final story contains a really good joke, too. A young marine bandmember faces court martial for refusal to play exactly as the music is written. Hornblower and Lady Barbara take an active interest in his case. The joke here is that the musician who bucks the system in order to maintain his sense of dignity plays the cornet. He literally is a HORN BLOWER!
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Summary: Post war duty at sea
Review: This is really a collection of short stories. Not really a book.
It has been several years since the end of the Napoleanic Wars. Hornblower is assigned to the squadron in the West Indies (Carribbean) as the commander in chief. A frigate is his largest ship. Most of the squadron consists of sloops and brigs. A lot of politics and philosophy going on. A couple of historical incidents. Overall, this feels like the end of a career. Not real graceful, but worth the reading.
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Summary: A Collection of Hornblower Stories
Review: This isn't the greatest Hornblower work, but very good none the less. It is a collection of five short stories, all based in the West Indies during Hornblower's tenure as the Commander-in-Chief of Britian's West Indian Fleet. Very similiar to the format used in Mr. Midshipman Hornblower. A very satisfying read.
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Summary: The best of the Hornblower series.
Review: We'd have all spent the remainder of our lives wondering what happened. Buy them all
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Summary: If he hadn't written Admiral Hornblower
Review: We'd have all spent the remainder of our lives wondering what happened. Buy them all
Rating: 
Summary: Sorry, but the TV show was better.
Review: Well, I really did enjoy this book, but I had to give it a low rating because the TV show was just plain better. When was the last time you saw that happen? Not since Heavy Metal 2000 was better than Heavy Metal. I wish someone would make a book about the miniseries instead of the other way around. I was dissappointed.
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