Admiral Hornblower in the West Indies (Hornblower Saga) (Paperback)

~ (Author) "REAR ADMIRAL LORD HORNBLOWER, for all his proud appointment as commander-in-chief of His Majesty's ships and vessels in the West Indies, paid his official visit..." (more)
Key Phrases: boat mortar, flag lieutenant, assistant provost marshal, Sir Thomas, Pretty Jane, Puerto Rico (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

"The eleventh tale of naval adventure in C.S. Forester's Hornblower series finds Horatio Hornblower an admiral struggling to impose order in the chaotic aftermath of the Napoleonic Wars. As commander-in-chief of His Majesty's ships and vessels in the West Indies, he must take on pirates, revolutionaries, and a blistering hurricane. The war is over, but peaceful it is not."

From the Publisher

8 1-hour cassettes --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Back Bay Books; 2nd printing edition (November 2, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316289418
• ISBN-13: 978-0316289412
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #27,545 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

• This is item 11 in The Horatio Hornblower Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Good Book, But a Low Point in the Series, September 20, 2000

By	Cody Carlson (Salt Lake City, UT United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Like the first novel in the series, 'Mr. Midshipman Hornblower,' 'Admrial Hornblower in the West Indies,' is a collection of short stories rather than a single novel. And, like 'Mr. Midshipman,' it is one of the lower points in the series. 'Admiral Hornblower,' is the only Hornblower novel to take place during peacetime and so the action, where it is, seems a little forced. Lacking is the adventure of Hornblower braving the odds to meet an impossible objective. Instead, many of the stories focus on much more trivial aspects of Her Majesty's Navy. Of course this is still a Hornblower book by the master, C. S. Forester, and he doesn't leave the reader competely high and dry. The first story, by far the best, deals with Hornblower's attempt to intercept a French vessel bound for St. Helena. Hornblower must use all his cunning to stop the would-be liberators of Napoleon Bonoparte from his island prison. Also there are a some moving moments as Hornblower takes the time to relect on his brilliant career and years of service. A must read for fans of the series but certainly not Forester's best.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars More An Epilogue Than a Coda, August 7, 2001

By	Craig Montesano (Washington, DC United States) - See all my reviews

While reading Hornblower is always refreshing, this final (chronological) installment of the series simply does not generate the excitement that crackles in the earlier works.

The arc of the Hornblower series begins with 'Beat to Quarters' and reaches its zenith with 'Commodore Hornblower.' For readers still giddy with the aftereffects of those books, 'Admiral Hornblower' may be a bit disappointing. More an epilogue than a coda, this book finds Horatio at his last post as commander-in-chief of His Majesty's squadron in the West Indies.

It may be that Forester simply had no exploits to offer on par with Horatio's earlier adventures. Without the backdrop of the Napoleonic Wars, one finds a distinct lack of urgency to this book. That said, it's worth noting the first adventure in 'Admiral Hornblower' brings back the old magic of the earlier books and manages to quicken the pulse.

Still, no first-time Hornblower reader could resist reading any installment. Nor should he. These are the greatest sea stories ever written; each one to be savored. Read, enjoy, and bid farewell to Admiral Lord Hornblower.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Post war duty at sea, November 6, 2002

By	Sonterro (Lakeland, Florida USA) - See all my reviews

This is really a collection of short stories. Not really a book.

It has been several years since the end of the Napoleanic Wars. Hornblower is assigned to the squadron in the West Indies (Carribbean) as the commander in chief. A frigate is his largest ship. Most of the squadron consists of sloops and brigs.

A lot of politics and philosophy going on. A couple of historical incidents.

Overall, this feels like the end of a career. Not real graceful, but worth the reading.