The final book in the Hornblower series, Forester describes for us the
duties of a Commander-In-Chief during peace-time. The squadron under Rear-Admiral
Hornblower is nothing now compared to what it would have been during war-time.
However, the bunch of frigates and sloops are enough for Hornblower to find many
useful things to keep an eye on as well as the all-important "prize money."
The adventures described in this book are not as exciting in some ways as the
other books in the series, but, they still are a very good read. Chasing a slave
ship, capturing pirates, surviving a hurricane, these are a few of the adventures
that you will come across while reading this book.
I recommend this book because it brings the whole series, from Midshipman to Admiral
to a good satisfying close. This book also begins to show the change in the Navy,
as the steamship begins to make more of an impact, Hornblower sees its advantages
AND disadvantages, and his analysis of it is fascinating in either case. Progress is still
progress, and while the days of the wooden ships of the Navy might be coming to end, Hornblower
is willing to change along with the times, and looks forward to his retirement after 20+ years
in the Navy as the book comes to an end. Read it and enjoy the final tour of duty of a
character that has lived a full life much like his real life contemporaries, and close the book
at the end, as if you were putting a child to rest for the night.
Title: Admiral Hornblower in the West Indies |
19/06/2005
