2007-10-22 One of the best in its genre

I read the Hornblower-novels after I had read all Aubrey & Maturin-novels by Patrick O'Brian and to me the latter are better still, but that doesn't alter the fact that all 3 novels contained in this omnibus ("Mr Midshipman Hornblower", "Lieutenant Hornblower" and "Hornblower and the Hotspur") are cracking good adventure stories, set in an age when Britain ruled the waves and there was plenty of action for any seagoing young man.

Hornblower is perhaps a trifle too perfect (apart from being seasick at times, it sometimes seems the man is simply without fault), and now I think of it that's one of the reasons why ultimately I prefer Aubrey & Maturin, but that's a minor quip and above all should not keep you from buying these splendid books. I enjoyed them immensely!