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ⓘ About C.S. Forester
The assumed pseudonym of one Cecil Louis Troughton Smith, C.S. Forester, or ‘Cecil Scott’ Forester, was a British novelist of much acclaim during his time. Chiefly known for his ‘Hornblower’ series of novels, he was a well-regarded novelist mounting up around thirty-five novels during his sixty-six years. Early and Personal Life Born on the 27th of August 1899, Cecil Scott Forester originally came from Cairo before moving to Britain at an early age due to a break-up of his family. Growing up in London with his mother, he was taught at Alleyn’s School then Dulwich College followed by Guy’s Hospital. Rising to prominence with the Publication Order of Horatio Hornblower Books series, C.S. Forester has since expanded their repertoire to include numerous successful works across various genres. Their writing style, characterized by compelling narratives and memorable characters, has earned them a dedicated global readership with millions of fans worldwide.
📚 All Book Series by C.S. Forester
The Happy Return / Beat to Quarters
The Happy Return / Beat to Quarters continues the Publication Order of Horatio Hornblower Books story arc with C.S. Forester's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.
Ship of the Line
Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Horatio Hornblower Books with Ship of the Line, another outstanding contribution from C.S. Forester.
Flying Colours
Flying Colours is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Horatio Hornblower Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of C.S. Forester have come to expect.
The Commodore / Commodore Hornblower
The Commodore / Commodore Hornblower continues the Publication Order of Horatio Hornblower Books story arc with C.S. Forester's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.
Lord Hornblower
Lord Hornblower is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Horatio Hornblower Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of C.S. Forester have come to expect.
Mr. Midshipman Hornblower
Mr. Midshipman Hornblower is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Horatio Hornblower Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of C.S. Forester have come to expect.
Lieutenant Hornblower
Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Horatio Hornblower Books with Lieutenant Hornblower, another outstanding contribution from C.S. Forester.
Hornblower and the Atropos
Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Horatio Hornblower Books with Hornblower and the Atropos, another outstanding contribution from C.S. Forester.
Admiral Hornblower in the West Indies / Hornblower in the West Indies
Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Horatio Hornblower Books with Admiral Hornblower in the West Indies / Hornblower in the West Indies, another outstanding contribution from C.S. Forester.
Hornblower and the Hotspur
Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Horatio Hornblower Books with Hornblower and the Hotspur, another outstanding contribution from C.S. Forester.
Hornblower During the Crisis / Hornblower and the Crisis
Hornblower During the Crisis / Hornblower and the Crisis continues the Publication Order of Horatio Hornblower Books story arc with C.S. Forester's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.
Mr. Midshipman Hornblower
Mr. Midshipman Hornblower is an essential installment in the Chronological Order of Horatio Hornblower Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of C.S. Forester have come to expect.
Lieutenant Hornblower
Readers dive deeper into the world of Chronological Order of Horatio Hornblower Books with Lieutenant Hornblower, another outstanding contribution from C.S. Forester.
Hornblower and the Hotspur
Readers dive deeper into the world of Chronological Order of Horatio Hornblower Books with Hornblower and the Hotspur, another outstanding contribution from C.S. Forester.
Hornblower During the Crisis / Hornblower and the Crisis
Hornblower During the Crisis / Hornblower and the Crisis continues the Chronological Order of Horatio Hornblower Books story arc with C.S. Forester's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.
Hornblower and the Atropos
Readers dive deeper into the world of Chronological Order of Horatio Hornblower Books with Hornblower and the Atropos, another outstanding contribution from C.S. Forester.
The Happy Return / Beat to Quarters
The Happy Return / Beat to Quarters continues the Chronological Order of Horatio Hornblower Books story arc with C.S. Forester's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.
Ship of the Line
Readers dive deeper into the world of Chronological Order of Horatio Hornblower Books with Ship of the Line, another outstanding contribution from C.S. Forester.
Flying Colours
Flying Colours is an essential installment in the Chronological Order of Horatio Hornblower Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of C.S. Forester have come to expect.
The Commodore / Commodore Hornblower
The Commodore / Commodore Hornblower continues the Chronological Order of Horatio Hornblower Books story arc with C.S. Forester's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.
Lord Hornblower
Lord Hornblower is an essential installment in the Chronological Order of Horatio Hornblower Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of C.S. Forester have come to expect.
Admiral Hornblower in the West Indies / Hornblower in the West Indies
Readers dive deeper into the world of Chronological Order of Horatio Hornblower Books with Admiral Hornblower in the West Indies / Hornblower in the West Indies, another outstanding contribution from C.S. Forester.
Captain Hornblower R.N.
Captain Hornblower R.N. is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Horatio Hornblower Collections series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of C.S. Forester have come to expect.
The Hornblower Companion
Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Horatio Hornblower Non-Fiction Books with The Hornblower Companion, another outstanding contribution from C.S. Forester.
The Paid Piper
The Paid Piper is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of C.S. Forester have come to expect.
A Pawn Among Kings
A Pawn Among Kings is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of C.S. Forester have come to expect.
Payment Deferred
Payment Deferred is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of C.S. Forester have come to expect.
The Wonderful Week
Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with The Wonderful Week, another outstanding contribution from C.S. Forester.
Love Lies Dreaming
Love Lies Dreaming explores the depths of love and connection in this compelling entry of the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series by C.S. Forester.
The Shadow of the Hawk / The Daughter of the Hawk
The Shadow of the Hawk / The Daughter of the Hawk continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels story arc with C.S. Forester's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.
Single-Handed
Single-Handed continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels story arc with C.S. Forester's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.
Brown on Resolution
Brown on Resolution is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of C.S. Forester have come to expect.
Plain Murder
A gripping mystery unfolds in Plain Murder as the investigation takes deadly new turns. This installment of the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series showcases C.S. Forester's mastery of suspense.
Two-and-twenty
Two-and-twenty is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of C.S. Forester have come to expect.
Rifleman Dodd / Death to the French
A gripping mystery unfolds in Rifleman Dodd / Death to the French as the investigation takes deadly new turns. This installment of the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series showcases C.S. Forester's mastery of suspense.
The Gun
The Gun continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels story arc with C.S. Forester's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.
The Peacemaker
Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with The Peacemaker, another outstanding contribution from C.S. Forester.
The African Queen
Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with The African Queen, another outstanding contribution from C.S. Forester.
The Pursued
Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with The Pursued, another outstanding contribution from C.S. Forester.
Marionettes at home
Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with Marionettes at home, another outstanding contribution from C.S. Forester.
The General
The General continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels story arc with C.S. Forester's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.
The Earthly Paradise
Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with The Earthly Paradise, another outstanding contribution from C.S. Forester.
The Captain from Connecticut
The Captain from Connecticut is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of C.S. Forester have come to expect.
The Ship
The Ship is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of C.S. Forester have come to expect.
The Sky and the Forest
The Sky and the Forest is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of C.S. Forester have come to expect.
Randall and the River Of Time
Randall and the River Of Time continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels story arc with C.S. Forester's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.
The Good Shepherd / Greyhound
The Good Shepherd / Greyhound is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of C.S. Forester have come to expect.
The Barbary Pirates
Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with The Barbary Pirates, another outstanding contribution from C.S. Forester.
Lord Nelson
Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with Lord Nelson, another outstanding contribution from C.S. Forester.
African Queen
African Queen is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of C.S. Forester have come to expect.
The Nightmare
The Nightmare continues the Publication Order of Short Story Collections story arc with C.S. Forester's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.
Man in the Yellow Raft
Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Short Story Collections with Man in the Yellow Raft, another outstanding contribution from C.S. Forester.
Gold from Crete
Gold from Crete is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Short Story Collections series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of C.S. Forester have come to expect.
Poo-Poo and the Dragons
Epic adventure awaits in Poo-Poo and the Dragons, a landmark entry in the Publication Order of Children's Books series that raises the stakes across the realm C.S. Forester has built.
U 97
U 97 continues the Publication Order of Plays story arc with C.S. Forester's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.
Napoleon and His Court
Napoleon and His Court continues the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books story arc with C.S. Forester's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.
Josephine, Napoleon's Empress
Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books with Josephine, Napoleon's Empress, another outstanding contribution from C.S. Forester.
Victor Emmanuel II and the Union of Italy
Victor Emmanuel II and the Union of Italy is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of C.S. Forester have come to expect.
Louis XIV: King of France and Navarre
Louis XIV: King of France and Navarre is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of C.S. Forester have come to expect.
Lord Nelson / Nelson
Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books with Lord Nelson / Nelson, another outstanding contribution from C.S. Forester.
The Voyage of the Annie Marble
Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books with The Voyage of the Annie Marble, another outstanding contribution from C.S. Forester.
The Adventures of John Wetherell
The Adventures of John Wetherell is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of C.S. Forester have come to expect.
The Naval War of 1812 / The Age of Fighting Sail
Conflict and courage define The Naval War of 1812 / The Age of Fighting Sail, an action-packed entry in the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series by C.S. Forester that puts the heroes through their toughest challenges yet.
The Age of Fighting Sail
Conflict and courage define The Age of Fighting Sail, an action-packed entry in the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series by C.S. Forester that puts the heroes through their toughest challenges yet.
Hunting the Bismarck / Sink the Bismarck / The Last Nine Days of the Bismarck
Hunting the Bismarck / Sink the Bismarck / The Last Nine Days of the Bismarck is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of C.S. Forester have come to expect.
Long Before Forty
Long Before Forty is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of C.S. Forester have come to expect.
Stories for the Dead of Night
A gripping mystery unfolds in Stories for the Dead of Night as the investigation takes deadly new turns. This installment of the Publication Order of Anthologies series showcases C.S. Forester's mastery of suspense.
65 Great Tales Of Horror
Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Anthologies with 65 Great Tales Of Horror, another outstanding contribution from C.S. Forester.
Mysterious Sea Stories
Mysterious Sea Stories is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Anthologies series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of C.S. Forester have come to expect.
Fifty Best Mysteries
Fifty Best Mysteries is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Anthologies series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of C.S. Forester have come to expect.
High Seas: Stories of Battle and Adventure from the Age of Sail
Conflict and courage define High Seas: Stories of Battle and Adventure from the Age of Sail, an action-packed entry in the Publication Order of Anthologies series by C.S. Forester that puts the heroes through their toughest challenges yet.
? Frequently Asked Questions
Who is C.S. Forester?
C.S. Forester is a bestselling author known for 11 book series containing over 71 books. Popular series include Publication Order of Horatio Hornblower Books, Chronological Order of Horatio Hornblower Books, Publication Order of Horatio Hornblower Collections. Their work spans multiple genres and has captivated millions of readers worldwide.
What is the best C.S. Forester series to start with?
For readers new to C.S. Forester's work, the Publication Order of Horatio Hornblower Books series is the ideal entry point. It showcases the author's signature style and contains 11 books. Begin with The Happy Return / Beat to Quarters to start from the very beginning.
How many books has C.S. Forester written?
C.S. Forester has written over 71 books across 11 series. This prolific output covers multiple genres, making them one of the most versatile authors in contemporary fiction.
Should I read C.S. Forester books in order?
Yes, reading C.S. Forester's series in publication order is strongly recommended. Most series feature evolving character arcs, ongoing story threads, and references to earlier events that are most rewarding when experienced in sequence. Our complete reading order guides are listed above.
What genre does C.S. Forester write in?
C.S. Forester writes primarily in fiction. With 11 series across 71 books, the author has explored a wide range of themes and storytelling approaches throughout their career.
Are C.S. Forester's books standalone or must they be read as a series?
Most of C.S. Forester's books are part of ongoing series and deliver the most satisfying experience when read in order. However, several standalone novels and short story collections provide excellent entry points without requiring prior knowledge of other series.
What is C.S. Forester's most popular book?
Based on reader reviews and sales data, C.S. Forester's most celebrated works come from the Publication Order of Horatio Hornblower Books series. The first book, The Happy Return / Beat to Quarters, is widely considered the ideal starting point and consistently receives outstanding reader ratings.