The Young Hornblower Omnibus by C. S. Forester

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The Young Hornblower Omnibus

» C. S. Forester

Penguin
Paperback : 24 Sep 1998

£12.99

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Synopsis

The Young Hornblower - a truly formidable force in His Majesty's Service

The seventeen-year-old Hornblower became notorious as soon as he stepped on board ship - as the midshipman who was seasick in Spithead. But he was soon to gain his sea legs.

Amid battle, action and adventure he proves himself time and time again - courageous in danger, resourceful in moments of difficulty and decisive in times of trouble. The reader stands right beside him as he prepares to fight his first duel, feels the heat as he battles to control a blazing ship and shares his horror as he experiences for the first time the panic of the Plague.

This omnibus edition contains:
Mr Midshipman Hornblower
Lieutenant Hornblower
Hornblower and the 'Hotspur'

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Reviews

Customer Review: 30 December 2002

Reviewer: Bruce Levitan

For those who have never read the Hornblower books, Penguin has conveniently created three omnibus editions so that you can read the novels in their correct order. Here are the first three books, and they chart Hornblower's early years and his rise from midshipman to lieutenant. The stories are always gripping and full of adventure, but are backed up with excellent, solid historical detail. The conditions of English sailors in the late 1700s and early 1800s are drawn in superb clarity, illustrating the autocratic, cruel and unjust actions that were commonplace: a ship's captain was the absolute ruler and literally held the life or death of his crew in his hands. Alongside the edge of seat adventures (and I promise they'll keep you turning the pages!) is the development of Hornblower's character. He is an intelligent and sensitive person, but one who is capable of intuitive brilliance and extreme bravery. However we see him through his own eyes, and he is always self doubting. All the Hornblower books make compelling reading, and this omnibus the just the right place to start!

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