Listen free for 30 days
-
A Ship of the Line
- Narrated by: Christian Rodska
- Series: Horatio Hornblower (chronological order), Book 7
- Length: 8 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Literature & Fiction, Classics
Add to basket failed.
Add to wishlist failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Listen with a free trial
Buy Now for £17.29
No valid payment method on file.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Listeners also enjoyed...
-
Flying Colours
- By: C. S. Forester
- Narrated by: Christian Rodska
- Length: 7 hrs and 8 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Hornblower becomes a national hero when he escapes a French firing squad. But the 'Terror of the Mediterranean' becomes Europe's most wanted man, forced to fight alone for England - and liberty.
-
-
listened to it in a day!
- By Mike in Oman on 26-07-16
-
Death to the French
- By: C. S. Forester
- Narrated by: Christian Rodska
- Length: 5 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This is the story of a rifleman's resourcefulness in a single-handed war against the forces of Napoleon. Separated from his regiment, he uses a band of undisciplined Portuguese guerrillas to battle his way back to his own lines.
-
-
Forester does gritty and dark
- By Anonymous User on 05-05-20
-
With All Despatch
- By: Alexander Kent
- Narrated by: Michael Jayston
- Length: 10 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Spring 1792. A troubled peace with France means that even a frigate captain as famous as Richard Bolitho is forced to swallow his pride and visit the Admiralty daily to plead for a ship. But, as the clouds of war begin to rise once more over the Channel, all he is offered is command of three topsail cutters. His task is to track down deserters, but the 'Brotherhood' he comes up against are brutal and dangerous.
-
-
Another great story
- By Kelvin Rees on 12-02-16
-
Master and Commander
- Aubrey-Maturin Series, Book 1
- By: Patrick O'Brian
- Narrated by: Ric Jerrom
- Length: 15 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Master and Commander is the first of Patrick O’Brian’s now famous Aubrey-Maturin novels, regarded by many as the greatest series of historical novels ever written. It establishes the friendship between Captain Jack Aubrey RN and Stephen Maturin, who becomes his secretive ship’s surgeon and an intelligence agent. It displays the qualities which have put O’Brian far ahead of any of his competitors.
-
-
At last, unabridged and well read...it begins.
- By John on 19-01-12
-
The African Queen
- By: C. S. Forester
- Narrated by: Michael Kitchen
- Length: 6 hrs and 24 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Upon her brother's death, missionary Rose Sayer and Charles Allnutt, disreputable skipper of the African Queen, become allies as, marooned in German Central Africa during World War I, they fight their old launch downriver 'to strike a blow for England'.
-
-
Great narration of a poignant story
- By Anna on 08-12-12
-
Kydd
- Thomas Kydd, Book 1
- By: Julian Stockwin
- Narrated by: Christian Rodska
- Length: 9 hrs and 53 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
1793 and Europe is ablaze with war. Thomas Paine Kydd, a young wig-maker from Guildford, is seized by the press gang to be a part of the crew of the 98-gun line-of-battle ship Duke William. The ship sails immediately and Kydd has to learn the harsh realities of shipboard life fast. Despite all that he goes through in danger of tempest and battle he comes to admire the skills and courage of the seamen - taking up the challenge himself to become a true sailor.
-
-
The Launch of a Top-Notch Series
- By Simon on 05-10-15
-
Flying Colours
- By: C. S. Forester
- Narrated by: Christian Rodska
- Length: 7 hrs and 8 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Hornblower becomes a national hero when he escapes a French firing squad. But the 'Terror of the Mediterranean' becomes Europe's most wanted man, forced to fight alone for England - and liberty.
-
-
listened to it in a day!
- By Mike in Oman on 26-07-16
-
Death to the French
- By: C. S. Forester
- Narrated by: Christian Rodska
- Length: 5 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This is the story of a rifleman's resourcefulness in a single-handed war against the forces of Napoleon. Separated from his regiment, he uses a band of undisciplined Portuguese guerrillas to battle his way back to his own lines.
-
-
Forester does gritty and dark
- By Anonymous User on 05-05-20
-
With All Despatch
- By: Alexander Kent
- Narrated by: Michael Jayston
- Length: 10 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Spring 1792. A troubled peace with France means that even a frigate captain as famous as Richard Bolitho is forced to swallow his pride and visit the Admiralty daily to plead for a ship. But, as the clouds of war begin to rise once more over the Channel, all he is offered is command of three topsail cutters. His task is to track down deserters, but the 'Brotherhood' he comes up against are brutal and dangerous.
-
-
Another great story
- By Kelvin Rees on 12-02-16
-
Master and Commander
- Aubrey-Maturin Series, Book 1
- By: Patrick O'Brian
- Narrated by: Ric Jerrom
- Length: 15 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Master and Commander is the first of Patrick O’Brian’s now famous Aubrey-Maturin novels, regarded by many as the greatest series of historical novels ever written. It establishes the friendship between Captain Jack Aubrey RN and Stephen Maturin, who becomes his secretive ship’s surgeon and an intelligence agent. It displays the qualities which have put O’Brian far ahead of any of his competitors.
-
-
At last, unabridged and well read...it begins.
- By John on 19-01-12
-
The African Queen
- By: C. S. Forester
- Narrated by: Michael Kitchen
- Length: 6 hrs and 24 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Upon her brother's death, missionary Rose Sayer and Charles Allnutt, disreputable skipper of the African Queen, become allies as, marooned in German Central Africa during World War I, they fight their old launch downriver 'to strike a blow for England'.
-
-
Great narration of a poignant story
- By Anna on 08-12-12
-
Kydd
- Thomas Kydd, Book 1
- By: Julian Stockwin
- Narrated by: Christian Rodska
- Length: 9 hrs and 53 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
1793 and Europe is ablaze with war. Thomas Paine Kydd, a young wig-maker from Guildford, is seized by the press gang to be a part of the crew of the 98-gun line-of-battle ship Duke William. The ship sails immediately and Kydd has to learn the harsh realities of shipboard life fast. Despite all that he goes through in danger of tempest and battle he comes to admire the skills and courage of the seamen - taking up the challenge himself to become a true sailor.
-
-
The Launch of a Top-Notch Series
- By Simon on 05-10-15
-
Brewer's Luck: Hornblower's Legacy
- By: James Keffer
- Narrated by: Nigel Peever
- Length: 12 hrs and 33 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
After gaining valuable experience as an aide to Governor Lord Horatio Hornblower, William Brewer is rewarded with a posting as first lieutenant on the frigate HMS Defiant, bound for American waters. Early in their travels, it seems as though Brewer’s greatest challenge will be evading the wrath of a tyrannical captain who has taken an active dislike to him. But when a hurricane sweeps away the captain, the young lieutenant is forced to assume command of the damaged ship, and a crew suffering from low morale.
-
-
High seas adventure
- By Amazon Customer on 30-04-20
-
Sharpe's Tiger: The Siege of Seringapatam, 1799 (The Sharpe Series, Book 1)
- By: Bernard Cornwell
- Narrated by: Rupert Farley
- Length: 14 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Richard Sharpe avoids the tyrannical Sergeant Obadiah Hakeswill and endeavours to rescue a British officer from under the nose of the Tippoo of Mysore. But in fleeing Hakeswill, Sharpe enters the exotic and dangerous world of the Tippoo. An adventure that will require all of his wits just to stay alive, let alone save the British army from catastrophe.
-
-
At the Sharpe Start
- By Simon on 20-09-15
-
The Destroyers
- By: Douglas Reeman
- Narrated by: David Rintoul
- Length: 11 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
From the author of The First to Land, a novel set during World War II. They called them the Scrapyard Flotilla. After a quarter of a century of service, the eight destroyers had seen all kinds of action. Now they were to be used in raids to open the way for the invasion of Occupied Europe.
-
-
another Mans book
- By alexander on 10-03-16
-
The Pursuit
- By: Peter Smalley
- Narrated by: Michael Tudor Barnes
- Length: 12 hrs and 8 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
HMS Expedient and her crew have survived their most perilous commission yet: the dead have been buried and the battle scars repaired. Captain James Rennie is anxious to be active again after a year on the beach. And this time he longs for regular service with the Fleet as opposed to the extraordinarily dangerous detached missions he has been assigned by Britain’s shadowy spy masters in the last few years. His friend, Lieutenant James Hayter, is haunted by his past and he too longs for the sea.
-
-
Riveting storeyline
- By I on 22-07-15
-
Greyhound
- By: C.S. Forester
- Narrated by: Jim Frangione
- Length: 8 hrs and 21 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
It's 1942. America have just joined the war. Greyhound, an international convoy of 37 allied ships, is in operation. As Captain Ernest Krause leads his first command of a US destroyer, the convoy ploughs through icy, submarine-infested North Atlantic seas. All the while hotly pursued by wolf packs of Nazi U-boats. Grappling with his newfound superiority and haunting self-doubt in 48 hours of desperate peril, Captain Krause's hopeless mission is doomed to fail. But armed with extraordinary courage and grit, hope may just be on the horizon.
-
-
Great story great narration
- By Mr B F Hambling on 12-12-20
-
Ramage
- By: Dudley Pope
- Narrated by: Steven Crossley
- Length: 11 hrs and 24 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In a daring foray, under the very nose of the French Mediterranean fleet, Lieutenant Lord Nicholas Ramage is to sail his tiny cutter close in to the Italian shore and rescue a party of stranded aristocrats from Napoleon's fast-advancing army.
-
-
could be better
- By john gardner on 04-09-20
-
H.M.S. Saracen
- By: Douglas Reeman
- Narrated by: David Rintoul
- Length: 10 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Malta 1941. To most people H.M.S. Saracen is just an ugly, obsolete ship with an equally ugly recent history: her last commander is due for court-martial after shelling the troops he was sent to protect. But to Captain Richard Chesnaye she brings back memories - memories of the First World War when he and the old monitor went through the Gallipoli campaign together. It seems that captain and ship are both past their best. But as the war enters a new phase Chesnaye senses the possibility of a fresh, significant role - for him and the Saracen.
-
-
Ripping stuff
- By Ceri on 17-10-12
-
The Scarlet Albatross: A Story of Airships and Panamindorah
- Refugees, Book 1
- By: Abigail Hilton
- Narrated by: Lauren Harris, Rish Outfield
- Length: 11 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Anaroo is an airship slave, destined to spend her days running on a treadmill, winding the great springs of the Scarlet Albatross. When a storm threatens to sink the ship, Anaroo and her fellow slaves seize the opportunity to escape. Now, at last, she can go home. However, the airship nearly sank for a reason - violent unrest among the island kingdoms below. The world is changing, and the surviving inhabitants of the Scarlet Albatross will need to cooperate to survive.
-
-
Terrific Tale,
- By Jo on 01-05-20
-
A Prayer for the Ship
- By: Douglas Reeman
- Narrated by: David Rintoul
- Length: 7 hrs and 52 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
HMS Royston, Coastal Forces Depot Ship, is mother ship to a battered, war-worn bunch of MTBs and MGBs. New on board is Sub-Lieutenant Royce: commissioned for three months, sea experience three months in an Asdic trawler, and aged 20. His commanding officer is Lieutenant Harston, aged 23.
His predecessor has been killed in action 48 hours earlier and is now hardly remembered. The crew are all young - some very young - but all old before their time....
-
-
Good
- By Dr on 26-07-15
-
The Last Kingdom
- The Last Kingdom Series, Book 1
- By: Bernard Cornwell
- Narrated by: Jonathan Keeble
- Length: 13 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The first book in a brand-new series, The Last Kingdom is set in England during the reign of King Alfred. Uhtred is an English boy, born into the aristocracy of ninth-century Northumbria. Orphaned at 10, he is captured and adopted by a Dane and taught the Viking ways. Yet Uhtred's fate is indissolubly bound up with Alfred, King of Wessex, who rules over the only English kingdom to survive the Danish assault. The struggle between the English and the Danes and the strife between christianity and paganism is the background to Uhtred's growing up.
-
-
Fate is unstoppable
- By A D MCCLENAGHAN on 13-12-14
-
The Pillars of the Earth
- The Kingsbridge Novels, Book 1
- By: Ken Follett
- Narrated by: John Lee
- Length: 40 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Pillars of the Earth tells the story of Philip, prior of Kingsbridge, a devout and resourceful monk driven to build the greatest Gothic cathedral the world has known...of Tom, the mason who becomes his architect - a man divided in his soul...of the beautiful, elusive Lady Aliena, haunted by a secret shame...and of a struggle between good and evil that will turn church against state and brother against brother.
-
-
Fabulous book
- By Mrs on 23-12-12
-
Under Enemy Colours
- By: Sean Thomas Russell
- Narrated by: Nick Boulton
- Length: 16 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
As the streets of Paris are overrun with revolutionary fervour, England prepares for the inevitable war with France. Lieutenant Charles Hayden is a man of undeniable ability. The son of an Englishman, his allegiance to the English Crown is beyond dispute. But, with a French mother, and without any influence in the Admiralty, he is seemingly overlooked for his first commission as Master and Commander. Instead, he is posted to an ageing frigate, the Themis.
-
-
Brilliant
- By Ben G on 14-06-09
Summary
Exclusively from Audible
The sixth instalment in the eleven-part Horatio Hornblower series, A Ship of the Line sees the return of 39-year-old Captain Hornblower as he embarks upon a new adventure on the Catalonian coast.
Having successfully defeated the Natividad Ship in battle, Horatio is awarded command of HMS Sutherland. Estimated to be the 'the ugliest and least desirable two-decker in the Navy List,' Hornblower's first ship of the line is far from becoming the vessel of his dreams, and being 250 men short of a full crew, the captain is forced to enlist and train a rabble of 'poachers, bigamists and sheep stealers.'
Seventeen years into the Napoleonic wars, Hornblower cannot afford to pause or make mistakes and the pressure soon mounts as the French approach the Catalonian shores.
Winner of the 1938 James Tait Black Memorial Prize for Fiction, A Ship of the Line delivers an action-packed seafaring adventure as one of the nation's favourite captains takes the lead once again.
Hugely celebrated for his Napoleonic naval warfare series, and later for the publication of The African Queen, C. S. Forester came to writing much later than expected. Having originally studied medicine at Guy's Hospital, Forester first developed a love of story-telling after being inspired by his travels with the Royal Navy.
Sadly stricken with arteriosclerosis whilst voyaging to the Bering Sea, C.S. Forester was crippled in his later life, but his imagination and his skill with a pen survived for years to come.
Narrator Biography
Christian Rodska is an English television and voice actor best known for his role in the 1970s series Follyfoot.
From The Monuments Men and The Eagle of the Ninth to The Likely Lads, Z Cars, The Tomorrow People, Coronation Street, Bergerac and Casualty, his extensive and diverse acting career has led him to become a highly solicited radio and audiobook narrator.
He has now voiced over 150 unabridged audiobooks including Winston Churchill's biographies, Evelyn Waugh's Men at Arms and Sebastian Faulks' A Possible Life. He has been praised for his ability to vary in vocal pace and style and as such, Christian boasts 12 Earphone Awards from Audiofile Magazine.
More from the same
What listeners say about A Ship of the Line
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Donn Edwards
- 21-07-14
Cliffhanger Alert
Warning! If You start this book be prepared to buy "Flying Colours" as well, since the book ends with a cliffhanger that is resolved in the next book.
Christian Rodska does an amazing job reading the Hornblower novels. This book is no exception. He really brings C S Forester's wonderful prose to life, and it is thoroughly enjoyable.
6 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Nicola
- 13-10-20
Not his best
I am loving the development of Hornblower’s character - his lack of self-confidence etc. But this story didn’t grip me as others in the series have.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- T D D
- 06-10-20
Outstanding
Best one yet, totally gripping, amusing and heroically tragic all at the same time. Listen and enjoy!!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Philip
- 04-04-19
Brilliant, stirring and historical
True Forrester. Well read with understanding and emotion. It leaves you wanting to know what happens next.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- K MARTIN
- 17-05-22
Marvellous. First rate narrator. Thrilling story.
The best of Hornblower is in the actions described and this one has plenty of adventure and fortunately less domestic description, which I find wearisome. What a superb narrator.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Richard OJ.
- 03-11-21
Unfinished story
A very well narrated story, exciting but unfortunately it’s end was treated as a serial. Disappointed. I think audio books should be a complete or reader’s should be warned that it is only part one of the book.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- kittimacfab
- 11-10-21
Just Keeps Getting Better
Ok, so I don’t particularly like the character of Hornblower. Written as a product of the times my feelings towards him are complex shall we say But what a fantastic story Forester writes with full 5 star credit to Rodska for pitch perfect narration. Especially good if you are into everything maritime.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Sir Bazile
- 11-12-20
Shiva me Timbers... Ship Shaped & Bristol Fashion.
My hope that the others are as good, has in fact, proved certain. I have been looking F'ard to the series as I have amassed this treasure trove, with the movie popping it's head above the poopdeck every leeward. I have to say that I am more surprised than I thought I was going to be. I assumed it was going to be good, and I am very glad to be proved wrong Sir.
It is very GOOD Indeed Sir.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Dev Preston
- 26-09-20
Adventure after adventure
Hornblower fights on land and sea in this dramatic and beatifully narated series of adventures
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Andrew
- 01-09-20
Cracking story
Fast paced, full of story and adventure. The best of the Hornblower books I have yet listened to. I've been listening to the series in chronological order and have enjoyed getting to know the characters so wouldn't listen to this one first. it's great though.
-
Overall

- Rollin
- 16-01-11
Wonderful Hornblower
Having read all of C.S. Forester's Hornblower series as a (male) teenager and remembering the excitement it provoked in me, I listened to Ship of the Line. I was not disappointed. The detail of life and combat aboard an 18th century warship and the complexities of seamanship are vivid and satisfyingly complex. I had forgotten that Hornblower used to get seasick upon setting sail after several weeks ashore. The political infighting and maneuvering for prestige among officers of the Royal Navy is especially interesting. This audiobook is nicely read by Christian Rodska.
12 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Jean
- 02-01-12
Great Story
Christian Rodska did an excellent job narrating the book. I had finished reading all of Patrick Brian's book on Aubrey and was looking for more 1800 sea stories. I had never read the Hornblower books but do remember the movie. This book was written in 1937 and I believe it was the first book in the Hornblower series. Forester story is so vivid I feel the sway of the deck and hear the slap of the sails. Forester created some exciting sea battle scenes along with the suspense of a storm at sea. The book closed with a cliff hanger so can hardly wait to start the next book in the series.
5 people found this helpful
-
Overall

- Holly
- 22-08-11
Looking forward to another Hornblower book
At first I wasn't sure I would like this book but after the 3rd chapter I was drawn in. The narrator did an excellent job with the different characters creating an audio movie really. I recommend this book if you enjoy historical fiction with naval adventure and tiny bit of romance thrown in.
4 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Thomas
- 05-03-12
Great Read!
What did you love best about A Ship of the Line?
A ship of the line is a wonderful book. I have read all but one of the Hornblower series of books. I will be reading the final one when I get my next credit. Any of the Hornblower series is is a great read. And Christian Rodska is a fantastic reader. He is able to invest himself to each character in the novel. His ability to read for a woman, old man or young child is fascinating. I never stop to think that this is the same person He is always able to keep in character through many lines of dialog.
What I like about Hornblower is that he does have some faults. He is human character with many of the same insecurities as all of us. However his mental abilities put him above most of the other characters in the book. I find it enjoyable to read a book where loyalty to duty and country are rewarded. You would not be disappointed if you purchased this book, nor any of the other Hornblower series.
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Lady Pamela
- 14-07-16
Journeyman Captain at Work
As a journeyman captain of a ship of the line, Hornblower has plenty of opportunities to strut his stuff--Lots of action. Detached to operate in the Mediterranean during the Napoleonic wars, he submits command to Lord What's his name, the husband of his love, the Lady Barbara. Many clashing sea battles that are well described in detail. "old Boney" is the villain. The ending is a cliff-hanger, unusual for a Forester book.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- James
- 11-07-16
Awesome story, great action!
what a great story and great narration. I highly recommend the series and specifically this follow-up to The Happy Return.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Dr. Michael B
- 16-05-16
Excellent!
Wonderful story and per usual Rodska does an outstanding job as narrator. Great experience overall!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- escapewheel
- 02-09-21
The best one yet.
As much as I don't like Horatio, this is the best one yet. I'm reading these in chronological order per in story time.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Daniel H.
- 06-05-21
An exceptional rendition of a classic masterpiece.
I wouldn't change a thing. What an excellent addition to my library. The Narrator was gripping, and delivered an excellent performance. I greatly enjoyed getting lost in an old boyhood favorite for the first time in years. I can't wait to move on to the next book. Thank you.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- NoVAN8iv
- 16-04-21
Epic yarn
Love him or not, Hornblower is an interesting character, whose exploits strain credulity, but nevertheless make for an enjoyable story.