Hornblower and the Hotspur (1962) Historical Fiction. The 11 volume Hornblower series takes place during the deadly wars of conquest waged by Napoleon (1803-1815). While the 3rd of 11 Hornblower books in chronological order, Hornblower and the Hotspur was the 10th book published and final book completed in its entirety by the author, who died before completing the 11th Hornblower book.
Horatio Hornblower is an officer in the British Royal Navy. He began as a midshipman and has worked his way up in the ranks to become Commander of the Hotspur. Commander is one rank below Captain. While on a recon mission to spy on the French navy, war between England and France is declared and the battle commences. As if that weren’t enough Hornblower, for better or worse, experiences a great change in his personal life. Movie length.
I wish you all Fair winds and following seas!
C.S. Forester (1899-1966) Cecil Scott was born in Cairo Egypt and raised in London England. He initially studied medicine before dropping out to pursue writing. Most of his novels have a seafaring setting and his best-known books are the Horatio Hornblower novels which have been made into; a fine movie starring Gregory Peck, and seven entertaining TV movies starring the reader of this audiobook. Mr. Forester also wrote The African Queen of which there is an audiobook version here on Great Books on Tape.
Quote The stinks of the true believers have to be smelt to be believed. (True believer - nothing will change their mind.)
Ioan Gruffudd [Yo-wahn Griffith] (1973 - ) was born in Cardiff, the capitol of Wales, UK. At age 13, Ioan got a role on a Welsh language soap opera. At that age he also enjoyed singing and playing the oboe. His first big break was a small role in the mega-blockbuster Titanic as a crewmember in a rowboat looking for survivors and finding Rose “Turnabout!” He became well known with the 2 Fantastic Four films playing the stretchy Mr. Fantastic. Since then, he has starred in four well received TV series; Forever, Liar and Harrow, Horatio Hornblower, along with numerous guest star TV series appearances; Glee, Castle, Family Guy. and movie performances; Amazing Grace (where Yo-wahn gets to sing the title’s hymn), San Andreas, The Professor and the Madman.
Enjoy!