Hornblower During the Crisis

There are three rather short stories in this book. The back cover describes the book as following "Hornblower and the Hotspur," and the unfinished first story does, so you probably shouldn't read this book before reading "Hotspur." But the next story is set between "Midshipman Hornblower" and "Lieutenant Hornblower," and the third story is set at the end of the entire series. You don't need to read the whole series first, but the last story won't make sense unless you at least read "Beat to Quarters" first. And nothing in this compilation is necessary for understanding other books. So you shouldn't read it in the sequence listed on the cover, and you may as well save it for last. That said, all three stories are worth reading. As you know, the main story was unfinished, which is fine. It's an ambitious tale of how an out-of-work commander saves Britain from invasion and deals the French tyrant a mortal blow through luck, skill, luck, cleverness, luck, and derring-do. It ends about halfway through the story, with about a page of notes about how it ends. The half that's finished is entertaining, but does rely a lot on luck. I have trouble imagining the second half being written without relying too much on luck. It's great the way it is. The next story explores the young Hornblower's character as he must guard a devious prisoner and face financial and professional temptation. The last story shows the peaceful life of an old, successful, wealthy, respected, contented Hornblower interrupted by an entertaining echo of his old enemy. All told, it's a fun, easy-to-read book for Hornblower fans. But there's nothing wrong with saving it for the end of the series.

Or is it? The incomplete story, 'Hornblower During The Crisis' seems to be set just after 'Hornblower And The Hotspur'. The story was never finished and the ONE page of notes at the end DO tell you how the story turns out but doesn't have much in the way of details. It would of been nice to see a dozen pages or so of the author's notes.The next two stories, 'Hornblower's Temptation'(which seems to be set after 'Lieutenant Hornblower') and 'The Last Encounter', which is the very last tale about him, are both short but complete. They show us a very interesting view of Hornblower's inner thought process when he was young and when he gets old.So in a way it does end the series, but also shows him during earlier periods of his life.

The Horatio Hornblower series by C.S. Forester is simply the best naval adventure writing in all of literature. The Hornblower series deals with the career of a fictional British naval officer, Horatio Hornblower, during the Napoleonic Wars, as Britain is engaged in a life-or-death struggle with Bonaparte. The various novels and short stories which comprise the series essentially trace Hornblower's rise from humble midshipman to Admiral of the Fleet."Hornblower During the Crisis" is a group of short stories that Forester apparently wrote to fill gaps in Hornblower's life in between the major novels which make up the series. While the novels are in chronological order, there are gaps between several of them. This book completes the most important of these, and also has some interesting little snippets about Hornblower in his old age.The most important story in "Crisis" deals with the period of time immediately after Hornblower is promoted from Commander to Captain (although not confirmed yet by the Admiralty) and he leaves the HMS Hotspur, which is too small of a command for a Captain. I found this story to be a penetrating and interesting one, which highlights the importance of good luck, and the willingness to take advantage of it by taking risks. As the story states, Hornblower realized, in dealing with high British political and military figures upon returning to England, that his whole life and career perhaps turned on a few remarks he made over the space of a few minutes. Who among us has not had at least one such pivotal moment?... The other stories in the book are all interesting and worth reading. The Hornblower afficianado should not pass this book up. Newcomers to Hornblower will probably not want to "break in" with Crisis, although I think any reader will appreciate these well-written stories.

Like all the Hornblower books we see our hero in many unconfortable positions, from the Court Martial of his successor to finding himself a junior officer in a battle situation after years of command. Unlike the other Hornblower books we are left with an incomplete story. It seems to me that this drop doesn't change a thing. Most people who read Hornblower will know their Navel History and will be able to put the pieces together, (on more than one occasion Forester talks about Hornblower's fellow captians putting the pieces together from a brief statement in a report.) and the reader can do it without problem.The two short stories that follow are both of high quality. (I was very disapointed that we didn't see the story of Barry McCool in the lastest Hornblower movie.) His encounter with McCool and with Napoleon III were both well written and interesting.Unless you are reading the series in chronological order (don't forget to read the McCool story AFTER Midshipman Hornblower then put it away till you finish Hornlober and the Hotspur) this book should probally be read last. I wouldn't buy this book first, but I wouldn't recommend missing it either.

There is not one false note anywhere. We encounters some of the finest characters: Commander Meadows who replaces Hornblower as captain of the Hotspur; Captain Baddlestone of the water hoy; Mr. Marsden, Secretary to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty; Mr. Barrow, the Second Secretary, 'his name nearly as well known as Marsden's'; and last but not least, the Rev. Claudius, Doctor of Divinity, my favourite.The scene that takes place in the elegant room in the Admiralty overlooking the Horse Guards parade grounds is scripted like a play. The dialogue is superb and Forester even provided stage instructions in the form of thunderclaps from a summer afternoon's downpour. Hornblower, under scrutiny from the two cynical secretaries, learns to keep his mouth shut at the critical moment and finally gains entry to post rank.