C.S. Forester Books

I read this book first when I was in middle school and then again when I was older, and it was a lot better when I was older. It's 90% an adventure story with few moral lessons. I had a completely different interpretation than the other reviewer (the only other review at the time I write this) - I see no blanket hostility to religion. The main character questions his faith when faith is used to justify burning Indians alive because they refused to produce gold for the Spaniards and again when the Spaniards massacre Indian women, children, and elderly armed only with pointed sticks for the same reason. The main character also questioned the Inquisition. I hardly think that qualifies as hostility towards religion; it seems a natural reaction to gross violence to me.

I was also impressed with the level of accuracy in describing the biology of the Indies - he knew about scarlet macaws and caimans. He also seemed to do a decent job describing Indians and the geography of the West Indies and Mexico.

This novel about the first Spanish explorers of the New World--Christopher Columbus is a prominent character in it--exceeded my modest expectations for a Forester novel not many have heard of. Originally titled 'The Earthly Paradise,' the narrative is told through the eyes of a Spanish don, a lawyer by trade, who finds himself seeking adventure on one of Columbus's last voyages. It's a dramatic, compelling story, worthy of a couple of evening's entertainment.

The one aspect of the novel that was annoying: Forester clearly believes that people who believe in God, particularly through the Church, are dolts. Criticism of the Spanish Inquisition, the burnings of heretics, the abuses in the name of God, all that can be justified, and even is necessary. But beyond that, Forester uses his learned hero's thoughts to argue implicitly that all religious belief is therefore suspect and even irrational. It's a subtext that one sees in other Forester novels, and judging from his son's biography of him ('Novelist & Storyteller' by John Forester--see my separate review), the animosity to religion is consistent with the writer's own life.

Nevertheless, this is recommended as a good read.

This is an exciting story of a pivotal World War II naval battle. The sinking of the Bismarck is a story I actually know very little about, so I am not sure how historically accurate this book is. I think the Bismarck took three hits in its initial encounter with (and quick dispatch of) the Hood, but Forester only speaks of one hit. Also, Forester gives us the conversations of men on the ships, in the air, and in London. This makes for a more personal, involving, gripping story, and indeed this short, energetic work comes across as a form of history for the masses. Hunting the Bismarck strikes me as an excellent resource for young readers; it richly portrays the mystery, majesty, and glory of this naval battle without burdening the reader with the technical descriptions and ponderous musings of academic history. Forester is best known for his fictional tales of the courageous sailor Horatio Hornblower, works which have captivated readers for decades, and he definitely knows how to tell a story. Readers with an armchair interest in World War II, and naval warfare in particular, will enjoy this quick-reading book, but those seriously interested in the sinking of the Bismarck should look elsewhere for the facts this book is not designed to provide. Having known very little about this event going in, this book has inspired in me a desire to learn more about this tragic yet triumphant moment in world history.

Mr. Midshipman Hornblower is without a doubt one of the best novels I have ever read regardless of genre. My exposure to C.S. Forester's classic works was a little unorthodox. Unorthodox that unlike most books I have read I saw a cinematic adaptation before reading the novel rather then the other way around. The A&E presentation was very good and entertaining and I new that these were books that I had to read and so I did.

The book is stupendous. As another reviewer has stated the readability is very good. The book does not have the depth of Melville but is definitely not juvenile its prose or topics. The book introduces us to one Horatio Hornblower who spends the majority of the novel as a Midshipman aboard His Majesty's Frigate the Indefatigable. We follow Horatio for a few years in his journey from a novice with no confidence in himself and no experience as a leader and watch his maturation into a very resourceful and charismatic leader. Along the way we are treated to adventures all across the English Channel, Northern France, Eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean.

The novels were written the mid 20th century and take place shortly after the French revolution. The novels are action packed and the prose, although dated, is to the point with few wasted words or tales. Much happens to young Horatio in this one novel. I heartily recommend this book to anyone.

No wonder it's an enduring classic - one of those kids' books that gets it right by entertaining the parents as well. Each self-contained chapter contains imaginative ideas that consistently amused my eight year old. He also enjoyed the absurd logic that resolves most stories. Ideal bed-time reading. Oh, the illustrations in my edition (by Robert Lawson) are also excellent.

From about 1920 to 1945 Jack Moomaw rangered at Rocky Mountain National Park. This is a collection of short stories of the unusual or outstanding events that occurred during his tenure as a ranger. There are quaint stories of colorful people he met or knew, and stories of rescues and tragedies. I found the book very interesting, partly because I have been backpacking in the same mountains every summer for the last 20 years.

Jack was an extremely hardy soul; he loved winter patrols and survived in cold weather that sent others to the hospital. He dabbled in archaeology and was a huge chauvenist (it's best to see the humor in his attitude toward women). He wrote in a very matter-of-fact style that I found extremely easy to read. Stories are short (just a few pages) and interesting. This was a fun read.

When the German battleship Bismark put to sea in World War II, everyone in the world knew the awesome consequences of her actions in the Atlantic. Considered the most powerful warship ever constructed, it was believed that no single ship could ever stand-alone against her. If the Bismark was to inject herself into the Atlantic sea-lanes to the British Isles, she could easily dispatch any armed merchant ship protecting any convoy. She would then be free to sink any merchant ship that she could catch and the Bismark was faster than almost any other ship afloat. The ease with which the Bismark dispatched the powerful British battleship Hood put fear into the hearts of all British people.
However, it turned out that the Bismark was not the most powerful warship in existence that distinction had already passed to the aircraft carrier. It had passed so far that the initial blow that led to the sinking of the Bismark was struck by a small set of obsolete British Swordfish bi-planes carrying torpedoes. The hit on her rudder kept the Bismark from speeding to the European coast, where the planes of the Luftwaffe could have protected her.
While this book captures the tenseness of the Allied search for the Bismark, conversations are put forward that are at best only paraphrases of what actually transpired. It also makes it clear how the Bismark could almost single-handedly have won the Second World War for Germany. It alone could have sunk every merchant ship in a convoy; the consequential lack of food and other supplies would have quickly forced the British to surrender.
The intelligent reader will also be puzzled as to why the Germans did not provide a substantial submarine escort for the Bismark. Even a small number of submarines could have kept the British from massing the fleet of warships that finally dispatched the Bismark. In the end, it was a lucky shot that led to the sinking of the Bismark and perhaps altered the outcome of the war. However, even after the lucky shot, if the Bismark had had a submarine escort, the British would not have been able to sink her with surface ships.

When the German battleship Bismark put to sea in World War II, everyone in the world knew the awesome consequences of her actions in the Atlantic. Considered the most powerful warship ever constructed, it was believed that no single ship could ever stand-alone against her. If the Bismark was to inject herself into the Atlantic sea-lanes to the British Isles, she could easily dispatch any armed merchant ship protecting any convoy. She would then be free to sink any merchant ship that she could catch and the Bismark was faster than almost any other ship afloat. The ease with which the Bismark dispatched the powerful British battleship Hood put fear into the hearts of all British people.
However, it turned out that the Bismark was not the most powerful warship in existence that distinction had already passed to the aircraft carrier. It had passed so far that the initial blow that led to the sinking of the Bismark was struck by a small set of obsolete British Swordfish bi-planes carrying torpedoes. The hit on her rudder kept the Bismark from speeding to the European coast, where the planes of the Luftwaffe could have protected her.
While this book captures the tenseness of the Allied search for the Bismark, conversations are put forward that are at best only paraphrases of what actually transpired. It also makes it clear how the Bismark could almost single-handedly have won the Second World War for Germany. It alone could have sunk every merchant ship in a convoy; the consequential lack of food and other supplies would have quickly forced the British to surrender.
The intelligent reader will also be puzzled as to why the Germans did not provide a substantial submarine escort for the Bismark. Even a small number of submarines could have kept the British from massing the fleet of warships that finally dispatched the Bismark. In the end, it was a lucky shot that led to the sinking of the Bismark and perhaps altered the outcome of the war. However, even after the lucky shot, if the Bismark had had a submarine escort, the British would not have been able to sink her with surface ships.

I received what I had ordered, pretty much in the condition described in the add and on time. Would do business with seller again.

A fast-paced suspense (more than pure mystery) novel about the Holy Grail and the secret societies (apparently a veritable Yellow Pages worth) whose goal is either to protect or expose it.

Good fun, although its statements about the verity of the Bible, the orthodox canon, and other apocryphal works are disturbing. In fact, my distaste for this part of the book, plus its fast-food-like lack of weightiness knocks it down a peg from the "Worth my Time" level.

Makes sense to me!! I loved this book! I know it was fiction but somehow I think he speaks a bit of truth in this book! You will love this book!

Dan Brown is an illusionist. It attracted, like all good writers successful thrillers American audiences. The ingredients are familiar: Action brutal murder in the singular and plural (serial killing), incomprehension, investigation, doubt, lack of knowledge, tenacity (alone against all), happy ending. Passion thrillers (see my listmania), I know the ropes most used to give the maximum chances of a successful sale. On the "thriller", "Da Vinci" is lourdaud.

Dan Brown is a forger doubled a liar. How can one argue that the Bible (and therefore the Old and New Testament) was a work commissioned by the Roman Emperor Constantine in the fourth century? How can you write that the "Priory of Sion is a secret society founded at the end of XI century by Godfrey de Bouillon" who knows the truth about marriage with Mary Magdalene and the descendants of Christ and therefore lies founder the Church? ... then it is a supposed French association under the 1901 law declared in 1956. And how many other pearls ... like the androgyny of Mona Lisa (Mona Lisa) ... I still laugh.

Dan Brown is a man who has faith hatred of the Christianity in general and the Catholic Church in particular. He is a descendant - representing heresies fought with accuracy since its inception by the Church. These are called heresies the arianism, Catharism and Jansenism. They say that God is a pure spiritual being therefore could not have had a Son of a similar nature to him. But Jesus Christ is fully man and fully God. That is what the Church professes, in full transparency, everyone. The profession of faith of the Church is radically opposed to any elitist philosophy - elected on the one hand and esoteric on the other.

Dan Brown has mixed genres: the thriller, the invention sometimes committed to history, sometimes lies, and hatred skillfully distilled the Church.

I invite the reader critical read the excellent book by Jesuit Father Bernard Sesboüé which dismantles this horror: "The Da Vinci Code explained to its readers." (in French)

Ok, I have neither bought nor read this 'book', and never will, but I read the excerpt.
If English is Dan Brown's first language, then he has major problems, unless he is a 10 year old slow learner. Ok, he has made a lot of money from this piece of rubbish, but why not take a quick course in creative writing beforehand to learn the basics of style.
The Hardy Boys books are advanced literature in comparison!

Dan Brown's second novel The Da Vinci Code has become a literary phenomena, spawning countless books related to the topic, a movie, a myriad of discussions, and so much more. But let's take a look inside this book shall we? The book starts with the murder of the head curator of the museum. Ah but that is just the beginning! The curator was able to leave clues for his daughter, who is a cryptographer herself, follows these clues to France and England, through the past and the present, Through cultured religion and the unorthodox searching for the Knight's Templar and the code the world's masterpieces hold. Dan Brown is a master of suspense and The Da Vinci Codes is just one more notch in this fabled author's cap. Beautifully written and without flaws this is one book I highly recommend!!

And for those who enjoy books on ancient cultures, I'd recommend: Fates

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.

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.

I give this book two stars, but in no way am I implying that C.S. Forester deserves two stars for his work. Rather, I give the publisher of the book two stars for giving us half a novel but presenting it as a full entry in the Hornblower saga. I was looking forward to another great Hornblower novel, but found instead the beginnings of a promising story and a few short stories. The whole edition is much shorter than the other Hornblower novels, but costs the same price. I would recommend skipping this book until you have really exhausted the other Hornblower novels already.

Hornblower During the Crisis is apparently a couple of pieces of left over script that Forester hadn't finished when he died, and was later published. The first half deals with Hornblower's trip home to England as a passenger on a water hoy (a supply ship that brings water to ships of the line). The water how is such a dog that after several days of beating back and forth they are still where they began. When they finally do get a fair wind they are chased by a larger French brig and only by some of Hornblower's usual trickery and bravado do they turn the tables and escape. The battle is a little too unbelievable for me; it relies too much no surprise and a sleeping French crew, which I found beyond the realm of possible. Nevertheless our hero returns safely to England.

The second part of the book is another short story about how Hornblower was assigned to be some kind of spy in Spain to deliver fake messages ordering the Spanish fleet out to sea. It's more plausible, but a short story.

Despite its shortcomings, the detail of ships and sailing in the early 19th century make the Hornblower series must reading for any man who loves the sea.

This novel picks up with Hornblower relinquishing command of the Hotspur and returning to London for a new command. As typical in a Forester novel, nothing ever goes as planned and action follows Hornblower on his way home from a supply ship. There are only about 150 pages of text in this story and what was missing in the story were what Hornblower did that lead to the eventual decisive Battle of Trafalgar. It was nice to see what Forester wrote anyway only because I like the genre and I like Forester's details and descriptions of being in the Service and living during that time. But this book wouldn't be good on its own.