Exploring Top Books of Shelfari

The beginning to the sweeping Aubrey/Maturin series and inspiration for the major new motion picture starring Russell Crowe. "The best sea story I have ever read."—Sir Francis Chichester This, the first in the splendid series of Jack Aubrey novels, establishes the friendship between Captain Aubrey, R.N., and Stephen Maturin, ship's surgeon and intelligence agent, against a thrilling backdrop of the Napoleonic... (more)

The Complete Aubrey/Maturin Novels

by Patrick O'Brian

A handsomely bound omnibus edition of Patrick O'Brian's seafaring classics, including three chapters of the unfinished twenty-first novel. The recent release of the film Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World has focused even more attention on the publishing phenomenon of the late Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey/Maturin novels about the Royal Navy in the age of Nelson. These five volumes, beautifully... (more)

Mr. Midshipman Hornblower (Hornblower Saga (Paperback))

Mr. Midshipman Hornblower (Hornblower Saga (Paperback))

by C. S. Forester

The year is 1793, the eve of the Napoleonic Wars, and Horatio Hornblower, a seventeen-year-old boy unschooled in seafaring and the ways of seamen, is ordered to board a French merchant ship and take command of crew and cargo for the glory of England. Though not an unqualified success, this first naval adventure teaches the young midshipman enough to launch him on a series of increasingly glorious exploits. This... (more)

Temeraire: Book 4

Empire of Ivory

by Naomi Novik

“A new writer is soaring on the wings of a dragon.” –The New York Times “Enthralling reading–it’s like Jane Austen playing Dungeons & Dragons with Eragon’s Christopher Paolini.” –Time, on His Majesty’s Dragon Tragedy has struck His Majesty’s Aerial Corps, whose magnificent fleet of fighting dragons and their human captains valiantly defend England’s shores against the encroaching armies of Napoleon... (more)

Temeraire: Book 2

Throne of Jade

by Naomi Novik

When Britain intercepted a French ship and its precious cargo–an unhatched dragon’s egg–Capt. Will Laurence of HMS Reliant unexpectedly became master and commander of the noble dragon he named Temeraire. As new recruits in Britain’s Aerial Corps, man and dragon soon proved their mettle in daring combat against Bonaparte’s invading forces. Now China has discovered that its rare gift, intended for Napoleon, has... (more)

Temeraire: Book 1

His Majesty's Dragon

by Naomi Novik

Aerial combat brings a thrilling new dimension to the Napoleonic Wars as valiant warriors rise to Britain’s defense by taking to the skies . . . not aboard aircraft but atop the mighty backs of fighting dragons. When HMS Reliant captures a French frigate and seizes its precious cargo, an unhatched dragon egg, fate sweeps Capt. Will Laurence from his seafaring life into an uncertain future–and an unexpected... (more)

Post Captain (Aubrey Maturin Series)

by Patrick O'Brian

"Master and Commander raised almost dangerously high expectations, Post Captain triumphantly surpasses them...a brilliant book."—Mary Renault " We've beat them before and we'll beat them again. " In 1803 Napoleon smashes the Peace of Amiens, and Captain Jack Aubrey, R. N., taking refuge in France from his creditors, is interned. He escapes from France, from debtor's Prison, from a possible mutiny, and pursues... (more)

Temeraire: Book 3

Black Powder War

by Naomi Novik

“A splendid series.” –Anne McCaffrey “Naomi Novik has done for the Napoleonic Wars what Anne McCaffrey did for science fiction: constructed an alternate reality in which dragons are real in a saga that is impressively original, fully developed, and peopled with characters you care about.” –David Weber, author of the Honor Harrington series After their fateful adventure in China, Capt. Will Laurence of His... (more)

Hornblower : Beat to Quarters

by C. S. Forester

Another exciting addition to our growing collection of sea stories, BEAT TO QUARTERS is a favorite among devotees of Horatio Hornblower, England's most durable sailor. The creation of C.S. Forester (AFRICAN QUEEN, THE GOOD SHEPHERD), Hornblower is known and admired throughout the Western world. Winston Churchill was a notable enthusiast; he mentioned Hornblower in his WW II memoirs. In BEAT TO QUARTERS, a... (more)

Temeraire: Book 5

Victory of Eagles

by Naomi Novik

Naomi Novik’s triumphant debut, His Majesty’s Dragon, introduced a dynamic new pair of heroes to the annals of fantasy fiction: the noble fighting dragon Temeraire and his master and commander, Capt. Will Laurence, who serves Britain’s peerless Aerial Corps in the thick of the raging Napoleonic Wars. Now, in the latest novel of this dazzling series, they soar to new heights of breathtaking action and brilliant... (more)

Hornblower and the Hotspur

by C. S. Forester

April 1803. The Peace of Amiens is breaking down. Napoleon is building ships and amassing an army just across the Channel. Horatio Hornblower-who, at age twenty-seven, has already distinguished himself as one of the most daring and resourceful officers in the Royal Navy-commands the three-masted Hotspur on a dangerous reconnaissance mission that evolves, as war breaks out, into a series of spectacular... (more)

Hornblower During the Crisis

by C. S. Forester

This last-written adventure of Horatio Hornblower finds him still a captain; the Napoleonic Wars rage on. Though the tale was incomplete at Forester's death, it offers a full measure of action at sea.

Lieutenant Hornblower

by C. S. Forester

This is the seventh novel in the Horatio Hornblower saga. In it, Hornblower emerges from his apprenticeship as midshipman to assume the responsibilities that await him as a lieutenant. Chronologically this novel falls between MR. MIDSHIPMAN HORNBLOWER and CAPTAIN HORATIO HORNBLOWER. It works us alongside this lanky and laconic young man who distinguishes himself in his first independent command. "The young... (more)

The Bounty : The True Story of the Mutiny on the Bounty

The Bounty : The True Story of the Mutiny on the Bounty

by Caroline Alexander

The bestselling author of The Endurance reveals the startling truth behind the legend of the Mutiny on the Bounty -- the most famous sea story of all time. More than two centuries have passed since Fletcher Christian mutinied against Lt. Bligh on a small armed transport vessel called Bounty. Why the details of this obscure adventure at the end of the world remain vivid and enthralling is as intriguing as the truth... (more)

Flying Colours (Colors)

by C. S. Forester

The seventh volume in the classic naval adventure series, starring Captain Horatio Hornblower.

Ship of the Line: Hornblower No. 6

by C. S. Forester

In this book Captian Hornblower sails his first ship of the line to the Spanish station, where he harries French communications under the glowering menace of Napoleon's onshore gun batteries.

Six Frigates: The Epic History of the Founding of the U.S. Navy

Six Frigates: The Epic History of the Founding of the U.S. Navy

by Ian W. Toll

How "a handful of bastards and outlaws fighting under a piece of striped bunting" humbled the omnipotent British Navy. Before the ink was dry on the U.S. Constitution, the establishment of a permanent military had become the most divisive issue facing the new government. Would a standing army be the thin end of dictatorship? Would a navy protect American commerce against the Mediterranean pirates, or drain the... (more)

Admiral Hornblower Omnibus

by C.S. Forester

This is an omnibus edition compromising of four C. S. Forester's classic seafaring tales about Horatio Hornblower, namely: "Flying Colours", "The Commodore", "Lord Hornblower" and "Hornblower in the West Indies".

Hornblower and the Atropos (Hornblower Saga (Hardcover))

Hornblower and the Atropos (Hornblower Saga (Hardcover))

by C.S. Forester

Hornblower, newly appointed to rank and responsibility, has more than his share of concern when his ship Atropos springs a sizable leak during ceremonies honoring the passing of Lord Nelson. Hornblower has no need for the humiliation that would visit him should he deliver the venerated admiral's body to the muddy depths of the River Thames! But Hornblower skirts this disaster and sails once more for foreign... (more)

Commodore Hornblower

by C. S. Forester

"In this ninth installment in the Hornblower series, the incomparable Horatio Hornblower, recently knighted and settled in as squire of the village of Smallbridge, has been designated commodore of his own squadron of ships, led by the two-decker Nonsuch and bound for the Baltic. It is 1812, and Hornblower has been ordered to do anything and everything possible, diplomatically and militarily, to protect the Baltic... (more)

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Top Books

by Patrick O'Brian

by Patrick O'Brian

by C. S. Forester

by Naomi Novik

by Naomi Novik

by Naomi Novik

by Patrick O'Brian

by Naomi Novik

by C. S. Forester

by Naomi Novik

by C. S. Forester

by C. S. Forester

by C. S. Forester

by Caroline Alexander

by C. S. Forester

by C. S. Forester

by Ian W. Toll

by C.S. Forester

by C.S. Forester

by C. S. Forester