The Wilbur Smith Discussion Forums

One of the favorites of “the man” himself. He wrote scores of books including “The African Queen” (made famous by the John Huston movie starred by Bogart and Hepburn). But his masterpiece is the Hornblower series. 11 seafaring volumes that follow the career of Horatio Hornblower in the Royal Navy during the Napoleonic wars.

I’m planning to read them all, starting the fourth so far (and having a blast!).

Here is the list in chronological order (not the order they were written):

Mr Midshipman Hornblower (10 Short stories)
Lieutenant Hornblower
Hornblower and the Hotspur
Hornblower during the Crisis (two short stories and an uncompleted novel; Forester died before completing it)
Hornblower and the Atropos
Beat to Quarters
Ship of the Line
Flying Colours
Commodore Hornblower
Lord Hornblower
Admiral Hornblower in the West Indies (short stories)

Did you read them while in your teenage years or younger? I liked them then but don't know if Horatio would cut it now.

I'm reading them right now. Starting the fourth one today or tomorrow. I do like them thought!

Thanx penitent just got 6 in 1 forester for 50p at bootie and so far its brill