Hornblower During the Crisis

Hornblower During the Crisis was left unfinished at C. S. Forester’s death but stands as a fascinating glimpse into a pivotal moment in Horatio Hornblower’s naval career. Set during the Napoleonic Wars, the story finds Hornblower promoted to captain and given his first independent command—the sloop HMS Hotspur—with a mission involving espionage and deception. He is tasked with carrying forged dispatches meant to mislead the French fleet, a dangerous intelligence operation that tests his nerve, judgment, and ingenuity. Though the narrative ends abruptly, Forester’s notes outline a thrilling continuation involving Hornblower’s capture, daring escape, and eventual triumph. Even in its incomplete form, the novella reveals Forester’s mastery of psychological tension and strategic detail, portraying Hornblower’s inner doubts alongside his exceptional leadership. The volume also includes short stories that further illuminate Hornblower’s world, completing a portrait of duty, intellect, and courage in the age of sail.