It's here! Browse the 2024 Penguin Christmas gift guide
Captain Hornblower R.N.

Captain Hornblower R.N.

Hornblower and the 'Atropos', The Happy Return, A Ship of the Line

Summary

Follow the thrilling and exciting adventures of Horatio Hornblower's life at sea in the Royal Navy, in these three classic stories.

Hornblower and the Atropos
Skippering the flagship for Nelson's funeral on the Thames is not Hornblower's idea of thrilling action. But soon his orders come, and he sets sail for the Mediterranean in the Atropos. Battle, storm, shipwreck, disease - what were the chances that he would never come back again?

The Happy Return
Hornblower sails the South American waters and comes face to face with a mad, messianic revolutionary in this gripping adventure.

A Ship of the Line
Commando raids, hurricanes at sea, the glowering menace of Napoleon's onshore gun batteries - Hornblower must deal with them all as he sails his ship to the Spanish station.

About the author

C.S. Forester

C. S. Forester (1899-1966) was born in Cairo, where his father was a government official. On the outbreak of the Second World War, he entered the Ministry of Information. As well as the famous Horatio Hornblower series, his novels include The African Queen, adapted into the famous film, and crime novels Plain Murder and The Pursued.
Learn More

Sign up to the Penguin Newsletter

For the latest books, recommendations, author interviews and more