The Men Who Spoke to Hornblower

Millions of readers have thrilled to the high seas adventures of characters such as: Horatio Hornblower, Jack Aubrey and Nicholas Ramage. They are characters in nautical fiction, but their exploits are based on people whose contributions and courage were very real indeed.

Could Hornblower have possible been unaware of Rodney’s famous maneuver at the Battle of the Saints? Could Aubrey not have been influenced by Nelson’s technique at the Battle of the Nile? Would Ramage have ever proceeded into a fleet action without the signaling system devised by Howe? Would any of our literary heroes have been unaware of the exploits of Anson, Hawke, Duncan and Keppel?

The answer, of course, is no. The great fighting captains of the Napoleonic era¾real and fictional¾were both informed and inspired by the greats that went before them.

Presented here are the stories of seven of those great admirals. If you wish to truly understand Hornblower, Aubrey and Ramage, this is the place you must start.

Tom Grundner is a former Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy and a decorated Vietnam veteran. A retired college professor, he is also the author of The Ramage Companion and the Sir Sidney Smith Nautical Adventure book series.