If you’ve seen the mini-series starring Ioan Gruffuds this is the first in the series of Hornblower books upon which it was based. In the age of wooden sailing ships and iron men the officers of ships of the line commanded sailors recruited by press gangs from local jails and bars in port. Callow 17-year-old midshipman were officers in training giving orders to men twice their age.
The setting is a British man of war at the turn of the 18th Century. To be learned was the art of commanding men, the mechanics of cannon firing, the art of navigaion, the handling of sail, and manoeuvring a ship under sail. Advancement was as much a matter of luck as it was intelligence, keeping a level head and learning quickly under pressure. Cannon balls and grape shot are no respecters of rank or privilege. The art of leading men involves keeping a level head and knowing your own limitations so that you delegate authority to those who know their business. The captain of a ship must be seen to know all in order to keep the confidence of his men.
Written at the turn of the 19th Century the author appears to know his seamanship creating a series of historical novels set at sea that follows the career of a navy brat from midshipman in this first of the series through the ranks in succeeding novels all the way to Admiral. At a time when military officers purchased their rank rather than earning it competence was not guaranteed. This young officer learned his trade working his way up through the ranks. Beginning as a navy puke who became seasick in harbour getting rowed out to his first boat he gains his sea legs and the confidence of his men.
If you enjoy adventure at sea and the thought of hanging onto ratlines a hundred feet above a heaving deck doesn’t make you turn green then you’ll enjoy this series.
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