Hornblower and the Ship of the Line (ISBN 1859989977)

You feel like you're walking the deck.:
After returning home from a very successful voyage to the Americas Captain Hornblower is assigned to a larger ship of the line with two gun decks, the Sutherland. He is assigned to the fleet blockading the Mediterranean coast of Spain where Napoleon's French fleet and the Spanish navy are prevented from supplying Napoleon's armies. In classic Hornblower style Hornblower isn't content to sail idly back and forth, so he finds ways to attack harbors, canals, and a French army near the shore. After several courageous engagements Hornblower becomes the only English ship between 4 enemy vessels and their safe harbor. The remainder of the English fleet is over the horizon, several hours away under sail in light winds. Following orders from the fleet Admiral Hornblower attacks all four, severely damaging three of them before the superior weight of the more numerous enemy fleet renders his ship useless. The wreckage drifts down current into the lee shore and a Spanish harbor where Hornblower is captured. As usual, Hornblower is filled with self doubts. If he ever escapes will he be stripped of his rank or even hanged for losing his ship? Will he ever see his beloved Barbara, wife of the Admiral, again? The detail of ships and sailing in the early 19th century make the Hornblower series must reading for any man who loves the sea.

Action-filled adventure in the Mediterranean:
"Ship of the Line" was the second story written in C.S. Forester's Horatio Hornblower series. As the name implies, Captain Hornblower has command of the ship of the line in this book set during the Napoleonic Wars. Although his ship of the line is an old, unweatherly 74, Hornblower successfully takes her on a cruise off the French and Spanish Mediterranean coast. This book features great naval action, including cutting-out expeditions and a lively This was the second Horatio Hornblower book that I read, although I had seen the A & E TV series. As a devotee of Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey-Maturin series, I was pleasantly surprised with this Hornblower book and I found Hornblower a much more authentic character than the superman of the TV series. Still, it is hard for me not to compare Hornblower with Captain Aubrey: although I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I find Aubrey a much more fun and likable character than Hornblower. Hornblower is a much more serious and deep character who is driven by self-doubt. This is a very good book, and I recommend it to anyone with an interest in naval warfare or historical fiction. It is an action-filledt account of naval life and warfare during the Napoleonic era. C.S. Forester started a genre with Horatio Hornblower, and this book is packed with action and adventure.

ENDS ON CLIFFHANGAR:
Excellent book. But just remember...BUY FLYING COLOURS AS WELL. This book ends on a cliffhangar that you cannot concentrate on DeCartes' theorems in class because you are aching to know what will happen next. This books completely set the stage for the internally-evntful FLYING COLOURS, especially with the frequent haunting memories of young Horatio. Full of foreshadowing, we cannot help but pity our Captain as he hits rock bottom after so much good luck. Makes ya wonder why everything HAD to happen to him. *sad*

A Wonderful Friendship:
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.

Amazing Series!:
The entire series is amazing! I do wish I was a little more of a sailor it would make the read much more enjoyable as his books are filled with techinical jargon, etc... Don't worry though not knowing anything definately does not detract from the stories, but knowing sure would help. Make sure you start with Midshipman as there are many allusions to it in later books.