Books in Hornblower Saga series

Hornblower finds himself fighting Napoleonic forces in Russia in this "extremely entertaining" (Christian Science Monitor) chapter in C. S. Forester's beloved naval adventure series. The year is 1812. Hornblower has been ordered to do everything possible, diplomatically and militarily, to protect the Baltic trade and to stop the spread of Napoleon's empire into Sweden and Russia. Though he has set sail a hero, one misstep may ruin his chances of every becoming an admiral. Hornblower must find his way through a maze of perils -- hostile armies, seductive Russian royalty, ice-bound waterways, assassins in the imperial palace -- before he can return home to his beloved new wife and son, as his instructions are to sacrifice every man and ship under his command rather than surrender ground to Napoleon. "Hornblower is Hamlet in command of a battleship." --New York Times

In this gripping tale of turmoil and triumph on the high seas, Horatio Hornblower emerges from his apprenticeship as midshipman to face new responsibilities thrust upon him by the fortunes of war between Napoleon and Spain. Enduring near-mutiny, bloody hand-to-hand combat with Spanish seamen, deck-splintering sea battles, and the violence and horror of life on the fighting ships of the Napoleonic Wars, the young lieutenant distinguishes himself in his first independent command. He also faces an adventure unique in his experience: Maria.

In this second act of the Hornblower saga, the reader has an opportunity to revel in a gripping, rip-roaring tale of turmoil and triumph on the high seas. Lieutenant Hornblower emerges from his apprenticeship as a midshipman, to the new responsibilities thrust upon him by the fortunes of war between Napoleon and Spain. Enduring near-mutiny, bloody hand-to-hand combat with Spanish seamen, deck-splintering sea battles, and the violence and horrors of life on the fighting ships of the Napoleonic Wars, the young lieutenant distiguishes himself in his first independent command. And, at the end of this book, he faces an adventure unique to his experience: Maria.