Captain Horatio Hornblower R.N. brings together some of the most celebrated adventures of C. S. Forester’s iconic naval hero, chronicling Hornblower’s rise through the Royal Navy during the Napoleonic Wars. Intelligent, introspective, and perpetually burdened by self-doubt, Hornblower stands apart from traditional adventure heroes, making this series a cornerstone of 20th-century naval and military fiction.
Set against meticulously researched maritime warfare, the novel explores command, courage, isolation, and moral responsibility at sea. Forester’s restrained prose and psychological depth have ensured Hornblower’s lasting influence on historical fiction, naval literature, and popular culture.
First edition, third impression.
Captain Horatio Hornblower RN by C S Forester (1973)
Author: C. S. Forester
Title: Captain Horatio Hornblower R.N.
Publisher: Michael Joseph Ltd, London, England
Edition: First published September 1965. This book is the Third impression, January 1973
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 572 pages
Condition: Boards: Scuffs and surface marks present. Cloth shows general wear. Spine: Gilt lettering remains legible. Light edge wear. Pages: Tanning to endpapers. Foxing to page edges. Pages 543–546 creased. Light indentation line visible at top of some pages. Binding: Firm and intact. Text block secure. Overall Condition: Fair
Cecil Scott Forester (1899–1966) was one of the most influential writers of naval and military fiction of the 20th century, best known as the creator of Horatio Hornblower, one of literature’s most enduring sea captains.
Born in Cairo and educated in England, Forester drew on meticulous historical research to recreate the world of the Royal Navy during the Napoleonic Wars. His Hornblower series, written between 1937 and 1966, charts the career of an intelligent, introspective officer whose private self-doubt contrasts sharply with his public image as a decisive and courageous commander. This psychological depth set Forester apart from earlier adventure writers and helped redefine the genre.
Beyond Hornblower, Forester achieved wide acclaim for standalone novels such as The African Queen, The General, and The Ship, many of which were adapted into major films. His work has influenced generations of writers, including Patrick O’Brian and Alexander Kent, and remains a cornerstone of classic naval literature.
