Posted on 10/19/2004 5:54:10 PM PDT by Phsstpok
I am reading the Horatio Hornblower series, by Forester, and I came across a rather interesting paragraph that I think applies to our situation today:
Indeed, the tide of war was turning against England. Nation after nation had retired from the contest against France, some worsted by arms, and some by the diplomacy of the vigorous young republic. To any thinking mind it was obvious that once the step from war to neutrality had been taken, the next step would be easy, from neutrality to war on the other side. Hornblower could foresee, close at hand, a time when all Europe would be arrayed in hostility to England, when she would be battling for her life against the rejuvenescent power of France and the malignity of the whole world.
Substitute the US for England and I think you can see the parallel. Always the traitors against human civilization, those French.
We have our Nelson in George W Bush. Hopefully he will not fall at his Trafalger.
Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it
Studying history is necessary to avoid repeating past mistakes. This saying comes from the writings of George Santayana, a Spanish-born American author of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
France has always been a part of trouble for western civilization, and they have not changed their character. Despite an occasional coincidence of interests, France has NEVER been our ally. They have, however, been our enemy throughout most of our brief history.
Remember Santayana's warning.
"I recommend Forester to every literate I know"
-Ernest Hemingway
"For the first time for many months I could read a book for pleasure. Oliver Lyttelton, Minister of State in Cairo, had given me [the omnibus volume] Captain Hornblower, R.N., which I found vastly entertaining. When a chance came, I sent him the message, 'I find Hornblower admirable.' This caused perturbation in the Middle East Headquarters, where it was imagined that "Hornblower" was the code-word for some special operation of which they had not been told."
-Winston Churchill
I enjoted the Hornblower series and the Hornblower movie with Gregory peck , but I could never find the Lieutenants. Read all the rest of them though.
I read many of the Hornblower books years ago. I always enjoyed them.
Forester was the most painstaking author in terms of historical accuracy that I think I've ever read.
I am finding that I enjoy this aspect of his work.
If you enjoy well researched historical fiction, though it requires a major "left turn from reality," I would suggest that you read Harry Turtledove's Guns Of the South. The premise is WAY OUT THERE, but his research on the Civil War was so good that Shelby Foote wrote the forward to the book.
Read all the Hornblower stuff as a teenager.
One of his little known books is "The Good Shepherd" about a destroyer captain on convoy duty in WWII.
Santayana is my favorite modern philosopher...obviously :)
Guns of the South...
Is that the one where the South is aided by some M16's from the future?
If so, yes, good historical story regardless of premise.
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