Rating: 
Summary: A ripping tale of the sea
Review: I read this and the other books in the series as a teenager and thoroughly enjoyed them. This book is perhaps the most famous of the series, even though it is the middle one! As well as being actioned packed, it offers a glimpse into what being in the Royal Navy must have been like when Britannia ruled the waves. Horatio seems to be loosely based on Admiral Horatio Nelson. I highly recommend this for teenagers. I recently watched the British-made TV series based on the books (which I see is now available as a boxed set of DVDs) and got a huge kick out of it (although the ship appeared a little scaled down!). So it is highly recommended for adults too!
Rating:
Summary: This is my favorite book
Review: I'm only up to Ship of the Line, which is the 7th book in this 11 book series, but LH is so far my FAVORITE. Lieutenant Bush is so much more than an unimaginative robotic lieutenant some shallow people make him out to be. He's courageous, and while lacking imagination, it prevents him from ever hesitating to do his duty. He's a man of rules and regulations, and if I may quote a different book for a minute, "The skies would fall before Bush neglected his duty."
Lieutenant Hornblower is the sole book NOT in Horatio Hornblower's point of view, but obviously, Lieutenant Bush's. At first, we see Hornblower as a cold, unfeeling youth. Later on, we see the endearing aspects that may explain to us how other men find Hornblower a charismatic man despite his own lack of self-confidence. This book is key to understanding not only Bush's character, but Hornblower's as well. Hornblower's lack of self-confidence DOES play in when *minor spoiler* he loads the cannons with shot that get too hot. Bush notes that this is the first, and only (according to him) mistake Hornblower's made, and is amused by the man's frustration at being what Hornblower calls himself, "a careless son of a swab."
Now I am ending this before I practically rewrite the ENTIRE book, but I highly recommend this book, and once my late paycheck comes in, I shall DEFINATELY buy this first.
Rating:
Summary: Salty seas and Spanish ails...arrrrr
Review: I've only read through Hotspur (#3 in chronological order), but I'd have to say this has been my favorite so far. I believe I read it in two days (and I'm a slow reader). This book incorporates great sub-plots (i.e. the suspiciously Queeg-esque captain), introduces Bush, and continues the development of Horatio from scrawny sea-cadet into naval war genius and hero. Most of the action takes place in the Caribbean, and I really hope more of the action goes back there in the later novels. The region and history come alive in Forester's wonderfully simple narrative, and the plot always manages to take new twists and turns in every chapter. Although I'm no expert, I'd imagine this is an accurate depiction of life as an early 19th century naval officer. I know it's exciting!Bottom line: a joyous read for anyone with an interest in naval warfare, military fiction, historical fiction, or just looking for a good adventure novel.
Rating: 
Summary: Now his star starts to ascend...
Review: In this book Lieutenant Hornblower finds himself on a ship with a paranoid captain and a crew unfit for duty. But soon the ship finds itself under fire from heated shot, in a battle with Spanish prisoners (many of them women) and Hornblower comes out as a energy filled man of action (who still gets seasick). But right when things look great and it looks like Hornblower is about to go like a rocket up the chain of command the war ends. Oh, the horror. But don't worry, it always looks darkest before the dawn. (If you like the Hornblower series, make sure to look for books on naval history. Lots of good ones out there.)
Rating:
Summary: 4.5 stars -- fantastic
Review: It's hard to write an objective review of Lieutenant Hornblower, chronologically the second novel in Forester's epic saga. Put simply, this was the book that addicted me to Horatio Hornblower and condemned to spend a small fortune acquiring the entire series. This tells the tale of Horatio's first real mission. He is assigned to the Renown, a ship of the line destined to fight Napoleon in the Caribbean. It is here that Horatio really begins to distinguish himself -- helping his crew deal with a mad captain, then leading them into the teeth of a powerful Spanish presence in Haiti. We see his decisiveness, his daring and his courage -- as well as his darker side. This book is cunningly different from others in the series in that Hornblower is not the main character. Rather, we see him through Lieutenant Bush -- destined to become one of Horatio's closest companions. At first, Hornblower seems distant and aloof. With Bush, we question his abilities and courage. And like Bush, we quickly see Horatio's heroism and intelligence. And it ends with a flourish that will have you scrambling to amazon to buy the next volume. Once again, I must deduct a little bit for Forester's occasionally opaque description of the working of a ship of the line. But most of the time, he makes the action clear as crystal. During the most intense rivetting action scenes, I was never confused as to what was going on. This is where the Hornblower series really takes off. Don't even hesitate to buy it.
Rating:
Summary: 4.5 stars -- fantastic
Review: It's hard to write an objective review of Lieutenant Hornblower, chronologically the second novel in Forester's epic saga. Put simply, this was the book that addicted me to Horatio Hornblower and condemned to spend a small fortune acquiring the entire series. This tells the tale of Horatio's first real mission. He is assigned to the Renown, a ship of the line destined to fight Napoleon in the Caribbean. It is here that Horatio really begins to distinguish himself -- helping his crew deal with a mad captain, then leading them into the teeth of a powerful Spanish presence in Haiti. We see his decisiveness, his daring and his courage -- as well as his darker side. This book is cunningly different from others in the series in that Hornblower is not the main character. Rather, we see him through Lieutenant Bush -- destined to become one of Horatio's closest companions. At first, Hornblower seems distant and aloof. With Bush, we question his abilities and courage. And like Bush, we quickly see Horatio's heroism and intelligence. And it ends with a flourish that will have you scrambling to amazon to buy the next volume. Once again, I must deduct a little bit for Forester's occasionally opaque description of the working of a ship of the line. But most of the time, he makes the action clear as crystal. During the most intense rivetting action scenes, I was never confused as to what was going on. This is where the Hornblower series really takes off. Don't even hesitate to buy it.
Rating:
Summary: You'll feel the salt air
Review: Lieutenant Hornblower by C. S. Forester. Recommended. Lieutenant Hornblower, set in the early 1800s during the Napoleonic Wars, is the second book chronologically in the 11-part Horatio Hornblower series. Forester is a master of combining exciting plots, recognizable characters, realistic naval and period information, and interesting historical detail. As you read Lieutenant Hornblower, you will see how even modern science fiction television and films, from Star Trek to Star Wars, owe a debt to Forester's story-telling technique. This time, Hornblower is seen from the perspective of a more senior lieutenant, Bush, as they serve aboard Renown. Bush, himself a decisive, strong, if unimaginative, leader, finds himself redefining and expanding his concepts of leadership and command as he observes Hornblower's interactions with his junior and senior officers. Hornblower subtly guides them to the actions and decisions that he wants from them without overstepping the top-down chain-of-command structure of the 1800s British navy, in which the captain enjoys the omnipotence granted by the king over crew and officers alike. Hornblower's approach even anticipates today's most current thinking about the nature of corporate leadership. As a character, Hornblower can be too perfect. His suggestions and his actions are always on target and successful, and it is he who saves Renown and her mission time and again. Even when he makes a rare mistake, for example, overheating the shot so that it will no longer fit in the cannons, the error does not affect the outcome of the venture. Forester tries to humanize Hornblower, whom Bush notices carefully hiding his emotions and frailties-even hunger and poverty-lest anyone perceive his weakness. Interestingly, Hornblower survives the paranoia of a mad captain, the indecisiveness and incompetence of an inept first lieutenant, harrowing sea and land battles with the Spanish, and delicate diplomatic maneuverings with the Spanish and with the highest levels of naval representatives, only to succumb to an unattractive but smitten woman. Throughout the novel, there is one recurring question that Hornblower avoids answering. Bush asks it, as does Buckland, the lackluster first lieutenant. Depending on how you perceive the underlying situation-and what you believe the real answer to be-you could see it as a positive reflection on Hornblower's character, or a disturbing aspect of it. Forester deliberately raises this point repeatedly; it adds mystery and a human dimension to a character who could otherwise have become a stock hero, always correct and always victorious (at least in war and politics). If you're like me and love sea adventure, Lieutenant Hornblower is a must-read. Forester is able to explain the workings of a sailing vessel and the machines of war without sounding overly technical, mechanical, or tedious. He portrays the harsh discipline of the British navy so well that you will understand why sailors rapidly disappeared when the press gang was spotted; there was little question of patriotism, only one of self-preservation. Forester also plants in the imagination the horrors of war, where even lieutenants can be cut in two by cannonballs or tormented by mad captains, where decks become slippery with the blood and guts and limbs of the fallen. Lieutenant Hornblower is an exciting, fast-paced read that may convince you to investigate the rest of the series. Diane L. Schirf, 30 June 2004.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best books in the series!
Review: Lieutenant Hornblower is definitely one of the best books in C.S. Forrester's classic series! Set aboard the 74 gun ship of the line Renown, we see a Hornblower that is only apparent in this book. He still young enough to be the boyish hero, but with a maturity that gives him a presence that everyone from the lowest seaman to the highest admiral recognizes and respects. We see the birth of the lifelong friendship that forms between the loyal lieutenant William Bush and Hornblower. Bush outranks him, and is initially suspicious of our brilliant young hero, but soon grows to respect and like him as their captain's madness threatens the ship. This novel is unique in the Hornblower saga as it is told entirely from the perspective of Bush. This prevents the reader from having to listen to all the self doubt that plagues poor Horatio, which can get rather annoying after you've read 10 books of it. I wouldn't recommend starting with this book, as it is set between Mr. Midshipman Hornblower and Hornblower and the Hotspur. Follow a loyal reader's advice, and start with one of the Captain books. But, definitely read this one as soon as you can. The battles, the scenery, and even the characters are described in Forrester's typical fashion, in deep detail. The details really make the novel come to life. I would also recommend seeing the excellent Horatio Hornblower movies done by A&E. The Welsh actor who portrays Hornblower, Ioan Gruffudd, does an absolutely amazing job. See the movies, it doesn't matter whether you've read the books or not. Start these books when you've got a lot of free time, because I guarantee that you won't be able to put them down!
Rating:
Summary: 4 broadsides and a trumping finesse as Hornblower advances
Review: Lieutenant Hornblower is not a novel that should be read in isolation. It was originally published in the early 50s after the success of earlier, although chronologically later, Hornblower books and a movie. Forester's purpose was to show the development of the character of Hornblower while providing a good sea story in itself. He succeeded on both accounts. Lieutenant Hornblower is set in 1803, several years after Mr. Midshipman Hornblower. We are told nothing of what has occurred to Hornblower in years preceding the book. Lieutenant Hornblower is seen through the eyes of Lieutenant William Bush, a brother officer, who although slightly senior comes increasingly to look to Hornblower for leadership. Although initially distrusting, Bush sees greatness in Hornblower and the two develop a strong friendship. Bush is portrayed as a dull, stodgy and not too bright English career naval officer. He is also a very decent man and solid friend. One is reminded of the friendship between Holmes and Watson and Conan Doyle's device; which was to make Holmes appear more brilliant by making Watson appear to be slow. In fact, I could imagine a young Basil Rathbone and a young Nigel Bruce playing the Hornblower and Bush roles. As the novel runs its course, the two men overcome a mad captain, a Spanish fort, an attempt by prisoners to overtake the ship, a night in the fleshpots of the Caribbean, a court of inquiry, and perhaps most challenging of all, peace. Forester skillfully develops Hornblower's character while creating some unanswered questions. Was Hornblower responsible for the mad captain's downfall? What was the relationship between Hornblower and the servant girl in London? We learn more about Hornblower but mystery is maintained, perhaps even enhanced. One of the most important things that we learn about Hornblower is that while he is a brilliant warrior, he is also highly aware of war's cost. Hornblower is a reluctant warrior but when driven to fight, he does his duty magnificently. Written as it was shortly after the end of World War II, one can see that Forester was striking a chord in both Britain and the United States. The men of the RN and USN would be the legitimate descendants of Horatio Hornblower. Like Mr. Midshipman Hornblower, Lieutenant Hornblower does not reach its climax with a battle scene. Instead the climax is a game of wist. During peacetime, Hornblower is reduced to playing wist to survive and must gamble his limited resources to stay afloat. Britons must have been able to relate strongly to this post war poverty. Americans conversely could recognize the gambling scene from any number of westerns. As always, Forester is able to meet the conflicting demands of both British and American readers.
Rating:
Summary: Ships, bravery, and men of the sea.
Review: Lieutenant Hornblower is sent to the West Indies with Lieutenant Bush and the HMS Renown. They are involved in a sticky business with the Spanish who are allied with the French and revel slaves to stir things up. After taking Spanish prize vessels a gang of prisoners takes over the Renown and Hornblower is forced to capture it back. Hornblower's wit, bravery, and leadership saves the day. In the end the captain is killed and Hornblower is the hero. Returning to England he marries Maria, probably his only mistake but in life who are we to judge. One of the best part of the whole Hornblower series is the accuracy and detail with which the life aboard vessels is depicted. You can almost feel the deck pitch.
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