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Hornblower and the Crisis cover art

Hornblower and the Crisis

By: C. S. Forester
Narrated by: Christian Rodska
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Summary

Exclusively from Audible:

In this, the final Horatio Hornblower adventure, C.S. Forester throws his hero into one of the most challenging missions yet.

Upon discovering highly confidential papers dispatched by Bonaparte, Hornblower sets off to enlighten the Admiralty about his game-changing, new findings. Troubled after having been informed of Pierre-Charles Villeneuve's escape into Spain, they welcome Horatio's news and send him off on a high-priority assignment that they believe will lead to England's victory over Napoleon.

His first and only espionage mission, Hornblower lights the powder trail which will eventually lead to the battle of Trafalgar and with a myriad of unexpected twists and suspenseful turns, Hornblower and the Crisis becomes one of Forester's greatest works.

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.

Stricken with arteriosclerosis whilst voyaging to the Bering Sea, C.S. Forester was crippled in his later life. Sadly, he passed away before completing this final instalment, but his plans for Hornblower and he Crisis were clearly set out within his detailed notes. These can be found at the end of the audiobook and serve to offer further insight into the mind of this incredible author.

Narrator Biography

Christian Rodska is an English television and voice actor best known for his role in the 1970's series Follyfoot.

From the 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.

©1967 C.S. Forester (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

What listeners say about Hornblower and the Crisis

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Thoroughly enjoyable

A good title, from the Hornblower series. This volume follows on well from Lieutenant Hornblower. Well delivered again, by Christian Rodska.

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Disappointingly short, but still marvelous

Was very disappointed to discover the story stops, just as it's about to get going :( The short stories at the end are marvelous though!

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Crisis


So good and a few twists

Brilliant character narator and brings the book alive.

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Buyer beware!

The start of the book is as excellent as the previous ones, but the sudden, unannounced stop was not foreseen.
Then, without warning, it goes far ahead into the future with a short story that really had no bearing on the previous part of the book.

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So sad

The main book is genuinely excellent, cut short sadly by the author’s death. But it’s well worth listening to the substantial part that remains, read extremely well as always by Christian Rodzka.

Plus two short stories, which are ok (I’d rather insubstantial). They go some way towards making up for your disappointment.

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farewell

alas the last book ever written by the great C.S.Forester is not much of a tail, but the last short as admiral Hornblower shows how the napoleon dynasty went on for many yrs. In fact, in 1879, a napoleon was killed by zulu during the natal wars, rorkes drift etc. BUT, I would not leave this out of my collection, as 50yrs ago I first read a Hornblower novel and my love of the era has never peaked.

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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.

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Excellent stories

Be careful as although it starts with Hornblower and the crisis, it moves on to other short stories afterwards

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Great story even if unfinished

Even though it is unfinished it’s worth reading to complete the series and you do get an insight in to the notes he left as to the ending of the book before he died. Always read brilliantly.

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An exciting set up

Unfortunately Forrester died before he could complete the story which explains why it's so short. Two nice short stories at the end though

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