Hornblower and the Crisis
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| Hornblower and The Crisis | |
| Author | C. S. Forester |
|---|---|
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Series | Horatio Hornblower |
| Genre(s) | Historical novel |
| Publisher | Michael Joseph, London |
| Publication date | 1967 |
| Media type | Hardcover & paperback |
| Pages | 158 pp |
| ISBN | ISBN 0-7221-0506-1 |
| Preceded by | Hornblower and the Hotspur (1962) |
| Followed by | Hornblower and the Atropos |
Hornblower and the Crisis is a 1967 historical novel by C. S. Forester. It forms part of the Horatio Hornblower series.
As a result of C.S. Forester's death in 1966, this book was left unfinished. There is a one-page summary of the last several chapters of the book found on the final page, taken from notes left behind from the author. Because this book is chronologically in the middle of the series, there are plenty of following stories that fill in the blanks this book leaves open.
[edit] Plot summary
Hornblower has just finished his tour blockading Brest on HM sloop Hotspur. As he travels back to England for his next assignment, he is asked to participate in the court martial of Hotspur's new captain and officers. Hotspur ran aground and was lost the day after Hornblower turned over command.
Following the court martial, the officers travel back to England with Hornblower. On their way, they are pursued by a French brig, which they engage and disable. During the battle, Hornblower boards the brig and captures papers from the French captain's quarters. Back in England, he travels to the Admiralty with the captured documents. This coincides with the disappointing news that the French fleet under Admiral Pierre-Charles Villeneuve has escaped into Ferrol after an indecisive engagement.
Hornblower presents a daring plan to the Secretary of the Navy, to send false orders to Villeneuve, made possible because Hornblower's captured papers include an example of Napoleon Bonaparte's new signature. The orders are to draw Villeneuve out of a safe harbour and into engagement with Admiral Nelson, which leads to the Battle of Trafalgar. The unfinished book stops at the point where Hornblower is persuaded to attempt the mission himself.
This book also includes two short-stories, "Hornblower and the Widow McCool", at the beginning of Hornblower's career, and "The Last Encounter", at the very end.
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