Poll: Which is your favorite naval book series?

**Cmmdre** · 06-24-2013, 08:53

Originally Posted by Volunteer

I have now read 3 of the 6 Bolitho books that I bought and I am sorry to say that, while I liked them alright, they just don't hold a candle to the Charles Hayden and Alan Lewrie novels.

Thank you for helping me organize/prioritize my reading list Vol.

**Gunner** · 06-24-2013, 09:05

Originally Posted by 7eat51

We call that soup-starter.

Looks like the whole meal to me.

**7eat51** · 06-24-2013, 09:21

Originally Posted by Gunner

Looks like the whole meal to me.

I have enjoyed every snake meal I have had. The best was cobra soup.

**calm** · 06-24-2013, 11:37

Originally Posted by 7eat51

I have enjoyed every snake meal I have had. The best was cobra soup.

This one got away because we were at the beggining of the mission, it would rot before we could cook it :)

**Coog** · 06-24-2013, 14:39

Reminds me of a movie scene:

**Cmmdre** · 06-29-2013, 23:50

Some reference links to information on some of these book series.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Categor...Maturin_series
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aubrey%...Maturin_series
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horatio_Hornblower
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederick_Marryat
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bolitho_series
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nathaniel_Drinkwater
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Lewrie

**Hobbes** · 08-20-2013, 05:50

I have to vote for the Hornblower series, since I don't know any of the other.

I just listened to the audiobook of "Mr. Midshipman Hornblower", which to be honest I didn't like very much. After reading a comment on Amazon, I gave "Lieutenant Hornblower" a try and this is a really good book.

So take the hint and do not start with Mr. Midshipman Hornblower. Watch the movies "Even Chance", "The frogs and the lobsters", "The examination for Lt." and "The dutchess and the devil", they are much better than the respective chapter in the book.

**Capn Duff** · 10-20-2013, 07:36

CSForrester for me

**Capn Duff** · 10-20-2013, 07:36

CS Forrester for me

**7eat51** · 11-30-2013, 08:49

A few of you mentioned the Sharpe series, so I have kept an eye open for them. The other day, I looked at the books for sale at our local library, and found four of the series, brand new, for a buck apiece. Fortunately, I have the first three of the chronological order. Something fun to read in the new year.

**Cmmdre** · 11-30-2013, 08:53

Originally Posted by 7eat51

A few of you mentioned the Sharpe series, so I have kept an eye open for them. The other day, I looked at the books for sale at our local library, and found four of the series, brand new, for a buck apiece. Fortunately, I have the first three of the chronological order. Something fun to read in the new year.

Nice score Eric.

**7eat51** · 11-30-2013, 09:03

Originally Posted by Cmmdre

Nice score Eric.

There is a section in the library that has an ongoing book sale. PB for $1 and HB for $3. Not only can you find good deals, but support the library at the same time. I have picked up quite a few good titles during the past few months. Recently, someone must have cleared out part of his/her ACW library; ironically, the exact same titles were added to my own. Hmmm.

**Cmmdre** · 11-30-2013, 09:33

Originally Posted by 7eat51

There is a section in the library that has an ongoing book sale. PB for $1 and HB for $3. Not only can you find good deals, but support the library at the same time. I have picked up quite a few good titles during the past few months. Recently, someone must have cleared out part of his/her ACW library; ironically, the exact same titles were added to my own. Hmmm.

Good for everyone all around. I have to keep my book buying in check these days. Both space and budget are considerations for me. I could easily spend a lifetime in used bookstores, libraries, reading rooms. Once on a roadtrip my wife and I discovered a little book seller in Coos Bay Oregon that had a great selection, cozy parlor and fishbowl sized coffee cups. I didn't want to leave.

**Gunner** · 11-30-2013, 09:44

I must have watched the 14 original and the two newer Sharpe's DVD's three times already.

**7eat51** · 11-30-2013, 09:49

Originally Posted by Cmmdre

Good for everyone all around. I have to keep my book buying in check these days. Both space and budget are considerations for me. I could easily spend a lifetime in used bookstores, libraries, reading rooms. Once on a roadtrip my wife and I discovered a little book seller in Coos Bay Oregon that had a great selection, cozy parlor and fishbowl sized coffee cups. I didn't want to leave.

I know what you mean, especially about space. It's hard to resist, though, $0.01 amazon prices and library sales. It doesn't help with folks posting so many good reads.

If you're ever in Chicago, I would very much like to show you around, including a couple of great used bookstores - just a little indulgence.

Unfortunately, I fear used bookstores will become more scarce, especially ones with spaces like you described. As much as I appreciate technological advancement, I enjoy holding an actual book.

**Cmmdre** · 11-30-2013, 10:05

Originally Posted by 7eat51

I know what you mean, especially about space. It's hard to resist, though, $0.01 amazon prices and library sales. It doesn't help with folks posting so many good reads.

If you're ever in Chicago, I would very much like to show you around, including a couple of great used bookstores - just a little indulgence.

Unfortunately, I fear used bookstores will become more scarce, especially ones with spaces like you described. As much as I appreciate technological advancement, I enjoy holding an actual book.

Especially when you discover a period of time that appeals to you which you hadn't previously looked at very closely. I have been indulging in online book buying, as you say it is hard to resist, like a control study animal in a cage with a gratification button.

I'm not sure I have enough vacation time saved up to be able to take you up on your invitation as pleasant as it sounds.

I agree that small booksellers are fading fast like many other niche stores like hobby/game shops, drugstores, etc...

Like the end of the age of sail we are witnessing a charge in times whose course and outcomes are unknown to us. Going back to the way it was is not an option.

**csadn** · 12-02-2013, 01:45

Originally Posted by Cmmdre

Once on a roadtrip my wife and I discovered a little book seller in Coos Bay Oregon that had a great selection, cozy parlor and fishbowl sized coffee cups. I didn't want to leave.

A comfy used bookstore in Oregon? I didn't know such existed up here.

[WARNING! TOXIC LEVELS OF SARCASM DETECTED! EVACUATE THREAD IMMEDIATELY!]

:)

**RichardPF** · 12-02-2013, 03:55

Originally Posted by csadn

A comfy used bookstore in Oregon? I didn't know such existed up here.

[WARNING! TOXIC LEVELS OF SARCASM DETECTED! EVACUATE THREAD IMMEDIATELY!]

:)

At the Starbucks Coffee gear store at the headquarters store in Seattle where they experiment with non perishable items to sell in their coffee shops,
it is rumored that they have introduced a small line of books.

They are calling it:
The circle of life...

**csadn** · 12-02-2013, 18:44

Originally Posted by RichardPF

They are calling it:
The circle of life...

<- hums a few bars of "Will The Circle Be Unbroken" >;)

**Cmmdre** · 12-02-2013, 19:11

Originally Posted by csadn

<- hums a few bars of "Will The Circle Be Unbroken" >;)

Probably the greatest album ever.

That is if you're talking bluegrass.

**Old Salt** · 11-21-2014, 09:22

Originally Posted by Comte de Brueys

Horatio Hornblower is my favourite.

Mine also

**Union Jack** · 11-23-2014, 09:41

At present, Bolitho, as it is the only full series I've read. Just started on the Jack Aubrey books though, only read one and it is just as good.

**David Manley** · 11-23-2014, 09:51

There's a chap here working his way through Jack Aubrey scenarios on the tabletop :)

http://hordesofthethings.blogspot.co...-algerine.html

**Danath** · 11-24-2014, 08:51

I voted for O'Brian's Aubrey/Maturin series. That said, I have enjoyed the three or four Hornblower novels that I've gotten through, as well as the first of the Temeraire books. I have the Bolitho and Ramage series on my Amazon wishlist, and will now be adding a few others as well.

Of course, I should probably finish off the last three Sharpe novels before I get sucked into another series or three. Maybe the next deployment will see me through a series.

**RotS-Targe** · 11-27-2014, 21:24

Originally Posted by Diamondback

Other: Conways's nonfiction Anatomy of the Ship series, rivaled by their All The World's Fighting Ships and MJ Whitley's _____ of World War II encyclopedias. I'm more interested in the structures and engineering end, though, particularly what influences went into each new design and what was a copy or evolution of what.

I will need to get a few of these... my interest in ships is very much based on the technical aspects of them (to the point I'm studying to design ships), so, these sound like some excellent light reading.

**7eat51** · 11-27-2014, 23:22

Originally Posted by David Manley

There's a chap here working his way through Jack Aubrey scenarios on the tabletop :)

http://hordesofthethings.blogspot.co...-algerine.html

Thanks for sharing the blog link, David. I just mentioned on another thread about a platform with row boats, and in this engagement, the player used such a mini. I need to find some of them.

**Diamondback** · 12-03-2014, 15:23

Originally Posted by RotS-Targe

I will need to get a few of these... my interest in ships is very much based on the technical aspects of them (to the point I'm studying to design ships), so, these sound like some excellent light reading.

Targe, you will find the AOTS volume on HMS Bellona supremely helpful, then--it gives very nice illustration of why Ares was so comfortable putting representatives from so many different classes on one sculpt.

**Mycenius** · 03-23-2015, 02:50

Originally Posted by Horatio

I've only read the Hornblower series haven't heard of any of the others

Same here - gotta vote Hornblower, but partly 'cause it's the only one I've read enough of!

**Bligh** · 03-23-2015, 05:02

Hornblower, simply because it was the first intro I had to the Napoleonic Navys at a very early age.
Also I want action packed adventures, and not the sheer tedium of the Aubrey/ Maturin books where an outcome can take several volumes to unfold.
Bligh.

**Grognard** · 04-05-2015, 02:00

Hello All.

Are any of these books written from the French or Spanish points of view?

**Bligh** · 04-05-2015, 02:16

Firstly me welcome you aboard John.
I am not aware that these books are slanted toward the French point of view, but then I am not familiar with all of them.
I'm sure that a more knowledgeable shipmate will be along soon with more information.
Bligh.

**Volunteer** · 04-05-2015, 08:30

Originally Posted by Grognard

Hello All.

Are any of these books written from the French or Spanish points of view?

Unfortunately no. And please let me echo Rob's welcome.

**Coog** · 04-05-2015, 20:05

There are two novels set during the Battle of Trafalgar by Spanish authors, Cabo Trafalgar by Arturo Pérez-Reverte and Trafalgar by Benito Pérez Galdós.

Here is a link to a review:

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/785451952

I noticed one or both books available for free as an e-book or audio book.

**Bligh** · 04-06-2015, 02:58

Started reading the Ramage books by Dudley Pope (not mentioned in the survey) on my Kindle whilst I was on the Courts Martial.
Quite enjoying them so far. I'm now on the second one.
Bligh.

**Dr.Maturin** · 02-29-2016, 04:06

The Jack Aubrey novels by Patrick O'Brian with good old Hornblower a close second.

**Torrence** · 02-29-2016, 04:58

I agree, the Aubrey-Maturin-Series is brilliant! So far I've read all books in German (quite well translated, only some measures and numbers seemed a bit off to me), most multiple times, and some weeks ago a friend borrowed me the first 11 books in English.