Self-conscious and socially unconfident, his marriage is a mismatch, and he finds himself in love with the Duke of Wellington's sister. Above all he is a consummate seaman, deserving of the loyalty of his men. In England, Beat to Quarters was published as The Happy Return. Captain Horatio Hornblower appeared as a motion picture in 1951. Following are the books of the Horatio Hornblower series in the order in which they should be read according to the Fiction Catalog, Twelfth Edition, 1991.
Dates are the original dates of publication.
All of the books listed are available from NLS network library collections. The early career of Horatio Hornblower of the British Royal Navy is traced in a series of adventurous episodes. They illustrate the quick thinking, brilliant intuition, and decisiveness characteristic of our hero and leave him with the rank of lieutenant. Lieutenant Hornblower Hornblower emerges from his apprenticeship as midshipman to assume the responsibilities forced upon him by the war between Napoleon and Spain, and his career on board the HMS Renown up to his promotion to commodore is followed. Peace with France prevents his obtaining a command, and he is forced to earn a living playing whist in a club.