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The Real Hornblower (ePub)

The Life and Times of Admiral Sir James Gordon

Maritime > Naval

By Bryan Perrett
Imprint: Pen & Sword Maritime
File Size: 7.1 MB (.epub)
Pages: 160
ISBN: 9781473822597
Published: 20th May 2013

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Ever since C.S. Forester's fictional hero Horatio Hornblower began to delight and enthral readers, there has been speculation as to whether his adventures were based on the career of a real naval officer. Several names were suggested, the general conclusion was that Hornblower was a composite character. However, while researching the campaign that resulted in the burning of Washington's public buildings, Bryan Perret consulted Forester's Naval War of 1812 and was surprised to discover that the author had been deliberately reticent regarding a Captain James Alexander Gordon, RN, who had led his squadron up the Potomac. Further inspection of naval records revealed a startling number of parallels between the careers of Gordon and Hornblower. Subsequent research spanning a period of ten years uncovered yet more similarities – too many, in fact, to be a matter of simple coincidence. It became apparent that, while Forester certainly included other episodes in the Hornblower cycle, he was aware of Gordon when the first of his books were written, and that when he decided to expand the series he chose Gordon's career as the framework on which his hero's life would be based.

As a professional author, it was neither surprising that he should conceal the fact, nor that he should choose Gordon as his model. Gordon had entered the Royal Navy as a semi-literate eleven-year-old and rose to become Admiral of the Fleet. He took part in major sea battles, frigate actions, single-ship duels and operations far behind enemy lines. It was the fire of his ships, directed against Fort McHenry, Baltimore, that inspired the National Anthem. He was the last Governor of the Royal Naval Hospital at Greenwich, and when he died, having served for more than seventy five years in the Navy, The Times commented that he was' the last of Nelson's captains'. That he should have attracted Forster's attention is not, therefore, surprising. In telling the largely unknown story of Admiral Gordon's active service career, Bryan Perrett has produced a book that will be appreciated by the thousands of readers who have enjoyed the adventures of Horatio Hornblower and his successors. It will also be welcomed by anyone with an interest in the naval warfare of the Napoleonic era, while those who take pleasure in biography will find that they have the added bonus of an absorbing literary and historical detective story.

Praise for 'The Real Hornblower'

'It is enthralling and humbling to read about such men...' - Mail on Sunday

'This is a fascinating and engaging written account of a little known story which is sure to interest historians and fans of Forester alike' - Aberdeen Press and Journal

'Perrett has made a good case that these overlays are more than coincidence and that Forester consciously used this fine officer's career as inspiration' - Time, Greenwich CT, USA

'An interesting and well written book of which C.S. Forester would surely have approved' - The Nautical Magazine

The enthusiast will get a lot of insight into Royal Naval practice and activity over a very turbulent era. But I think this book will also appeal to this who like to get more background on a classic Fictional Hero- and how an author can fictionalise a real career into a successful tale to tell. A fun addition to the Napoleonic Library.

Read the full review here

GoodReads, Martin

An interesting and well written book of which C.S. Forester would surely have approved.

The Nautical Magazine

Perrett has made a good case that these overlays are more than coincidence and that Forester consciously used this fine officer’s career as inspiration.

Time, Greenwich CT, USA

This is a fascinating and engaging written account of a little known story which is sure to interest historians and fans of Forester alike.

Press and Journal

It is enthralling and humbling to read about such men

Mail on Sunday

I found this a very readable book that provided a different angle on the Royal Navy's exploits during the last great wars of the Age of Sail.

History of War

A book I would recommend to anyone interested in the Royal Navy.

The Napoleonic Historical Society
 Bryan Perrett

About Bryan Perrett

Bryan Perrett was educated at Liverpool College. He served in the Royal Tank Regiment and was awarded the Territorial Decoration. A professional military historian for many years, his books include A History of the Blitzkrieg and Knights of the Black Cross: Hitler's Panzerwaffe and its Leaders. His treatise Desert Warfare was widely consulted during the Gulf War. His most recent works, including Last Stand!, At All Costs! and Against all Odds! examine aspects of motivation. During the Falklands and Gulf Wars Bryan Perrett served as Defense Correspondent to the Liverpool Echo. He is the author of The Hunters and the Hunted (2012), Why the Germans Lost (2013) and Why the Japanese Lost (2014), all published by Pen and Sword Books.

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