Book Description
A shy and lonely seventeen-year-old, Horatio Hornblower embarks on a memorable career in Nelson's navy as a midshipman on board H.M.S. Justinian. In action adventure and battle he is forged into one of the most formidable junior officers in the service.
Customer Reviews:
A Wonderful Friendship .......2006-09-09
This is the next Hornblower chronologically, it was not the next one written. Now that the series is completed it makes sense to read it as Hornblower's career progresses in the Royal Navy.
The whole series is a pleasure to read full of action and adventure; with enough time for a little romance.
Get acquainted with one of the most popular characters in modern literature.
After reading this you will be back for more. And that is a wonderful thing.
Hornblower is beached........2005-12-05
The Hornblower books are a great Napoleonic War era British Navy series. I definitely recommend the series if you like this genre.
This Hornblower is so far the one I've liked the least. It's not too eventful until the end. I think it was meant to show Hornblower in new situations (not just another battle, he spends most of the book hiding in France) to highlight additional facets of his personality. Kudos for trying to develop the character better but I can't say I learned much new about him. Still, worth reading if you like the series.
I have given this book a 4 but it was close to a 3. For me, a 5 is a book that 1) I would recommend to others regardless of whether they read the genre and 2) will most likely reread again in the near future. A 4 is one that 1) I'd recommend if they like the genre and 2) may read again. A 3 I liked but probably would never reread, a 2 was just ok, and a 1 was a waste of time.
Heartwrenching and warming.......2004-12-07
This is generally high up on most HH fans' favorites list. And there's no wonder why. For the first time, our heroic Hornblower has failed and lost his ship---which back then, was worse than death for the captain---it's a personal book with Hornblower worrying about his actions and the consequences to them. In addition, the care and attention he shows to Bush is heartwarming, his concern for his future and promise, "I'll make you a captain if it's the last thing I do." This book really put into perspective the fact that while Hornblower may not view Bush as the smartest of men, he IS his best friend. The affair with Marie also can pull a few internal strings, the devotion Marie has for this man and her haunting, "You're a man women can fall in love with." (attempting to get the quote right.)
A must-read. The pivot of the series.
dull episode in series.......2004-09-01
The premise of the book leaves Hornblower without a ship and defeat in the hands of French forces. He is to be sent to French for trial and execution. This book wasn't as entertaining as previous books in the series. The misery is still a recurring theme in Forester's books and the author also toys with Hornblower's torn feelings between two women in England as well as another he runs into in France. Hornblower worries about Bush, his court martial, his wife, Lady Barbara, his unborn child which served as the tension in the story. This really didn't serve the book in making it exciting yet in series like this you'll get a book that serves as a transition from one book to the other. The story felt like this kind of book. This book was trying to get Hornblower from the battle in the previous book back to London for the next book. This book had no plot really of the ongoing battle between France and Britain where one side was trying to outwit the other nor tension between characters the way "Midshipman" or "Lieutenant" did. Considering how Forester wrote the books out of sequence it's probably understandable to have a book like this in order to complete the picture of Hornblower's career. So Forester shouldn't be blamed for the lack of plot. The book on its own isn't that great yet necessary in order to maintain continuity of the series.
Escape, daring do, and knigthood........2004-02-27
Flying colors begins where Ship of the Line left off. Hornblower is in a Spanish prison in Rosas after sacrificing his ship Sutherland by attacking and destroying an enemy fleet. Along with his loyal lieutenant Bush and his servant Brown, Hornblower is soon loaded on a carriage for the trip to Paris where he is to be hanged as a public display by Napoleon. But of course it's hard to hang a man when the author is on his side. The carriage breaks down in a snowstorm and as luck would have it there is a river and a boat nearby. Always a man of action Hornblower makes his escape and stumbles into the home of a left over royal sympathizer who helps his party to hide until spring when they can make their way down river and escape. In the French port, Hornblower assumes the identity of a Dutch officer, commandeers a captured English cutter, Witch of Endor, and a crew of slave laborers to sail out of the harbor under French noses. Despite his constant self doubt he returns triumphantly to England where he finds out that during his absence his wife died, his beloved Barbara's husband died, and instead of losing his rank for losing his ship he is knighted to the order of the bath for heroism (and politics). The detail of ships and sailing in the early 19th century make the Hornblower series must reading for any man who loves the sea.
Book Description
Falmouth, September 1803: As Bolitho faces the grim reality of war at close quarters, he will be called upon to anticipate the strategies of the French fleet. But the conflict has also taken on a personal note, reviving his vendetta with the French Admiral, Jobert, who once commanded the Argonaute.
Customer Reviews:
colours aloft.......2005-10-12
awsome stuff by kent once again, just can't get enough of this series. go bolitho!
Book Description
In 1809, operating under the orders of the Admiralty's Secret Department, Capt. Nathaniel Drinkwater goes ashore with the dregs of London's dockland. Disguised as a Merchant Marine shipmaster of low character, he has an encounter with a known French agent in a brothel, deliberately advertising the fact that he will shortly be carrying a cargo of military stores to Russia. The scheme is intended to flout Napoleon's Continental System and drive a wedge between the French Emperor and his new ally, Czar Alexander. But the mission is disrupted by tempestuous weather and the loss of the escort, a gun-brig commanded by Drinkwater's friend and protŽgŽ. And when Drinkwater reaches the British-occupied island of Helgoland, he resolves on an exceptionally bold course of action-one not advised by the Admiralty.
Customer Reviews:
Short on pages.......2004-08-21
Chapter 13 starts on page 154, and next page is 167 -- 13 pagesare missing. Please send me a new book with all the pages.
thank You.
10th tale in this gripping series.......2003-05-31
Richard Woodman has spent most of his life at sea, is an eminent Naval historian and the author of several books on Naval history, plus many fictional books. This background and a superb command of the English language make his books a joy to read. His intimate knowledge of square-riggers takes you inside the ship - you are THERE with the crew, battling the elements or the enemy, feeling each blow.
This book expands on the theme of the struggle against Napoleon - Nathaniel Drinkwater, now Captain, is increasingly involved in espionage and subversion as the Secret Service draws on his special talents to undermine Napoleon's empire-building.
Following orders from Lord Dungarth, head of the Secret Service, Capt. Nathaniel Drinkwater adopts the disguise of a dissipated merchant mariner (almost too successfully) to sow the seeds of a threat to Napoleon's Russian alliance. It all turns sour and plans are wrought afresh, landing Nat in French custody and meeting an old female adversary. Not much in the way of action, but the tension and intrigue more than make up for that.
As usual, excellent descriptions and tension-building make the pages fly by - and the author's notes fill in the facts behind the tale. A series to read, savour and re-read.*****
Drinkwater re-dons cloak, unsheathes dagger.......2001-12-31
Richard Woodman's Nathaniel Drinkwater series has always had a dark Gothic air about it. The darkest entry was undoubtedly Under False Colours' predecessor A Private Revenge. Series readers will be happy to know that this entry is nowhere near as dark and tragic as A Private Revenge. It is perhaps more similar and related to the earlier Baltic Mission. It's like Baltic Mission in that it is more cloak and dagger than sea story.
However, Under False Colours is not a rewrite of Baltic Mission in a different location. Much has happened to Nathaniel Drinkwater since Baltic Mission and Under False Colours is the conclusion of events that were initiated in Baltic Mission and which propelled the action through In Distant Waters and A Private Revenge. A Private Revenge left Drinkwater a deeply psychologically scarred man. In Under False Colours Drinkwater begins to heal the deep wounds left from the horrors of the earlier novel.
This entry begins with an attempt to deceive the French by getting them to believe that Britain is supplying military aid to the Czar in defiance of Napoleon's Continental System and his treaty with the Czar. Things go awry and Drinkwater leads a trading mission into Hamburg and as is typical of this series, twists and turns fall more twists and turns. The climax occurs at sea following a tense build up and chase.
Under False Colours does not have the same level of blood letting that some of the earlier entries in the series had and all Bolitho novels have. Instead it gradually builds up tension while exploring the conditions in Napoleonic Europe. What I found particularly interesting was the role of Jewish merchants in Hamburg and London. The Jews of Drinkwater's Europe have an underground communication system that acts as a conduit to and from the continent. Woodman nicely underplays Drinkwater's surprise at being treated so well by Jewish merchants. The kindness of the Jews would have come as a very pleasant surprise to a Christian of Drinkwater's era, not because we wouldn't expect them to be kind but because the Christians of that era wouldn't. One can see barriers beginning to fall, as paradigms are broken.
Under False Colours is an entertaining novel with some nice surprises in contrast to the nasty ones of A Private Revenge. It's a worthy entry in the series but not one of the best. I suspect that it is a bit of a respite from desperate action to follow in the last three years of the war as Woodman brings it home for the reader.
.........2000-05-25
This is the replay from Sheridan regarding the publishing orders:
=== It was a question of US Rights becoming available - a slow and difficult process. Next spring we will do the first three and the rest will follow in chronological order.
Sheridan House ====
A naval adventure mainly on land.......2000-01-26
Drinkwater plays a different role for the Royal Navy, acting on a special mission which involves unusual hazards, with great risks and little chance for personal gain. This mission takes him to Helgoland and the Elbe River during the winter of 1809-1810. This book covers an interesting facet of the war with Napolean's France. The book is well researched and well written. My main complaint is that I cannot obtain the Drinkwater books in chronological order.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent uniform guide.......2006-05-11
Filled with color pictures. These series and Brassey's are the best for uniforms.
Wellington's Legendary Army faithfully reconstructed¡¡¡¡.......2005-08-17
One of the best resource for Uniforms of the British army on the Napoleonic Wars, fully illustrated with color photograph of Re-enactors of the Wellington's Army, recreating the everyday life of the infantry, cavalry, artillery and staff. Great description of the photos by Mr. Neil Leonard, the book is only 95 pages but you would find the most famous redcoat regiments(the 95th "rifle" regiment) plus the German Units(only two photos)
I would prefer to see one book for the Infantry and another for Cavalry and Artillery but may be in another publication, also another title dedicated to the Victorian Soldier. Too small for my taste but many beautiful color photos. Wellington's Legendary Army faithfully reconstructed¡¡¡¡¡¡ GREAT BUY, sadly out print.There are more book on the Europa Militaria Specials series dedicated to the Napoleonic Army;
Napoleon's Line Infantry and Artillery
Napoleon's Imperial Guard
Napoleon's Line Cavalry
German Napoleonic Armies
You'll enjoy the details of weapons, equipment and uniforms. After reading it you would want to join one of this regiment for sure. Highly recommended¡¡¡ For those interested in researching deeper look for the Philip Haythornthwaite "Wellington's Army: The Uniforms of the British Soldier, 1812-1815" and the Osprey Men-at-Arms series, look for the new titles dedicated to the Peninsular War "Wellington's Peninsula Regiments" by Mike Chappell.
Book Description
Phase One covers the units that took part in the occupation of the Channel Islands and the Luftwaffe's attempt to close the English Channel with attacks on British coastal shipping and ports during June and July, 1940.
Customer Reviews:
Start of the Battle of Britain.......2005-02-17
Although the Jagdwaffe series is a detailed examination of Luftwaffe fighter camouflage and markings and pictorial the series also covers the history of the Jagdwaffe. This particular book looks at the German preparation and plan of campaign for the Battle of Britain and covers the opening phase of the battle from 1 July to 12 August 1940. What I particularly like is the separate boxed text of interviews of Luftwaffe fighter pilots giving a brief history of themselves and usually also describing an exciting fighter engagement. Like the previous books in the series this book includes many photographs and colour profiles of Messerschmitt 109s that would prove invaluable to the keen modeling enthusiast. This book explains how and why Messerschmitt 109 E camouflage and markings changed in this period to tone down the colours against the channel and english countryside. Also included in this book is a six page biography on Werner Molders. This is an excellent book and series and is highly recommended to those who have an interest in the Luftwaffe and specifically Volume Two to those who have an interest in the Battle of Britain.
My introduction to the Jagdwaffe Series........2004-10-20
I bought this volume on speculation. I am a fan of the Bf 109E and very interested in the Battle of Britain. So this book fed two interests. I found the color profiles to have excellent detail and Mr. Mombeek backs up his schemes with numerous photos, most of excellent quality, some in color. He explains the markings and paint schemes with numerous color diagrames. I think that if you are a student of Luftwaffe markings or the Battle of Britain you will find this book of interest as I did. I am looking forward to obtaining the remaining three volumes of this series.
What this book lacks is text. More of an explanation or background as to why he chose that particular aircraft to depict or if the scheme was typical of that squadron or a unique set of markings.
Book Description
Phase Three covers the final stages of the Battle of Britain, with the Luftwaffe switching its tactics to bombing London and deploying its fighters as fighter-bombers.
Book Description
In this first of a two-part sequence a respected vexillologist describes, explains and illustrates a wide variety of the standards and guidons carried during the 18th and 19th centuries by British Household, Regular, Yeomanry and Volunteer cavalry units. The successive regulations between 1747 and 1868 are supported by tables of 'ancient badges' and battle honours; by many examples of non-regulation practice (in the cavalier tradition of the British cavalry); and by ten dazzling plates by Richard Hook, detailing some 35 flags in full colour.
Book Description
Despite losing his legs in a pre-war crash, Dougla aces during the Second World War. The author draws on extensive conversations with the air commander and offers some unconventional interpretations of the course of the Battle of Britain.s Bader became one of the Royal Air Force
Customer Reviews:
Poorly handled bio of a great man.......2007-02-19
This books does not stack up well against the superlative Reach for the Sky. Lucas' link to Bader is via marriage to Bader's first wife's (Thelma)sister. Some good personal memories and insights, however, if you want the full, detailed story of Bader's remarkable life, stick to the Brickhill classic.
Fab!.......2003-04-08
Flying Colours is an absolutly fab book- particually as it is written by one of Bader's closest of kin- his brother in law, Wing Commander P.B Laddie Lucas (who was married to Bader's wife's (Thelma) sister, Jill). Laddie had only known Bader from 1946, but they became the best of friends, and were very close from then on. This is a lovley, well written book, and well worth a read- and is also very informative on the perspectives of Fighter Command in WWII, and provides more in-depth info on Bader, which hasn't been revealed before!
Go out and read it!
Too much detail, not enough dash.......2001-09-25
In two hundred and ninety interminable pages, Ladddie Lucas tells the extraordinary story of his friend Douglas Bader's life. Like a film with only one memorable character, the book is fine as long as Bader is on the page. Mr Lucas unfortunately devotes endless space to describe the machinations of various characters in the Air Ministry as well as the comings and goings of the faceless executives of Shell Oil, a company that Mr Lucas appears to work for, so fulsome is his praise. Paul Brickhill's original biography, Reach For the Sky does a much better job of telling the bare bones of Douglas Bader's amazing life. It is obvious that Mr Lucas has taken great pains not to simply reiterate the well-known facts, but by not doing so he seems to play down much of what Douglas Bader was about. The gripping nature of the subject saves this book from faltering completely but the flat, dull chapters about long-forgotten disputes in the corridors of power, and the somewhat turgid prose style left this reader underwhelmed.
Reach For The Sky.......1997-06-27
Reach For The Sky is a biography of Douglas Bader. It is one of the most exciting and inspriing bools I have ever read. I obtained this book in a surplus library discard. It was so exciting that I got no sleep untill the book was finished
Douglas Bader is a true HERO - This book is not to be missed.......1997-04-01
Douglas Bader lost both of his legs in a terrible plane crash just before the start of WWII. Bader had to learn to walk again, with two aluminum legs. Bader was strong willed and refused to let his disability change him.
Douglas Bader was determined to do his part in the War and convinced the RAF that he could fly again. Due to the absolute need for pilots, the RAF granted Bader permission to fly again after demonstrating his ability to indeed fly.
Bader shortly became a top Ace for the RAF.
You have to read this book if you love action and adventure.
Book Description
Phase Two contains a pictorial account of the Luftwaffe fighter force at the height of the Battle of Britain during the summer of 1940 when the might of Hitler's air force threatened to overwhelm the RAF. An authoritative text presents fresh information on the conduct of the Battle and corrects some widely held misconceptions regarding Goering's role.
Customer Reviews:
Battle For The Airfields.......2006-01-22
Section 2 Vol 2 of the Jagdwaffe series covers Phase 2 of the Battle of Britain. The book largely covers Aldertag and the battle for the airfields up to the period of September 6th. The books includes many magnificent photos (including downed Messerschmitts BF109s over English soil) and colour profiles as well as giving a good brief account of the daily fighting. The section concludes with the Luftwaffe slowing gaing the upper hand with British Fighter Command resources strained to the limit (especially that of its pilots). However this had come at a heavy price and had taken far longer than anticipated due to incorrect German intelligence. The book does show that the battle was furiously and hard fought and at this stage of the battle, victory was perhaps within the Luftwaffe's grasp.
The book also includes some individual pilot accounts of the battle and also includes a brief biography on Adolf Galland. This is yet another excellent book in the excellent Jagdwaffe series.
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- History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
- History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
- History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
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Ship of the Line (Hornblower Saga)
Commodore Hornblower (Hornblower, 9)
Hornblower : Beat to Quarters
Lord Hornblower (Hornblower Saga)
Admiral Hornblower in the West Indies (Hornblower Saga)
