Commodore Hornblower, C. S. Forester, Book Club Edition, w DJ, 1945

Commodore Hornblowerby C. S. ForesterFIRST EDITIONBOOK CLUB EDABOUT THIS BOOKHaving achieved fame and financial security, Captain Sir Horatio Hornblower has married Lady Barbara Leighton (née Wellesley) and is preparing to settle down to unaccustomed life as the squire of Smallbridge in Kent. He still yearns to serve at sea and accepts with alacrity when the Admiralty appoints him a Commodore, puts him in command of a squadron and sends him on a diplomatic and military mission to the Baltic. His primary aim is to bring Russia into the war against Napoleon.Hornblower is shown dealing with the problems of squadron command and using naval mortars (carried on special ships known as bomb vessels) to destroy a French prize. This leads to the French invasion of Swedish Pomerania. Later his squadron calls at Kronstadt, where he meets with Russian officials, including Tsar Alexander I, who is favorably impressed by Hornblower and his squadron. Hornblower narrowly averts a major diplomatic incid