02-05-2023, 08:08 AM
The Good Shepherd by C.S. Forester
Color me stupid, but I thought Forester was a writer from the 19th century. Turns out he was a mid 20th Century writer and he lived for a long time in Berkeley. He also wrote the African Queen among other things. He's not just the guy who wrote Horatio Hornblower.
The Good Shepherd takes place during World War 2 as Commander Krause of the Destroyer Keeling protects a convoy in the Atlantic from German U-Boats. The book takes some getting used to as it's mostly the first person narrative inside of Krause's head as thinks through what he needs to do to repel the Germans and guide his ships to safety. There is a plenty of nautical talk. He is desperate for food and coffee because for the forty eight hours of the book he stays awake. And much like Hornblower, he is desperately unsure of himself while all those around him know he is doing an excellent job.
There are a few snippets about his past, about growing up in the Bay Area and thoughts about what went wrong with his ex-wife Evelyn.
It's a big fast adventure at sea which is what Forester is known for. This book was turned into the Tom Hanks movie Greyhound.
Color me stupid, but I thought Forester was a writer from the 19th century. Turns out he was a mid 20th Century writer and he lived for a long time in Berkeley. He also wrote the African Queen among other things. He's not just the guy who wrote Horatio Hornblower.
The Good Shepherd takes place during World War 2 as Commander Krause of the Destroyer Keeling protects a convoy in the Atlantic from German U-Boats. The book takes some getting used to as it's mostly the first person narrative inside of Krause's head as thinks through what he needs to do to repel the Germans and guide his ships to safety. There is a plenty of nautical talk. He is desperate for food and coffee because for the forty eight hours of the book he stays awake. And much like Hornblower, he is desperately unsure of himself while all those around him know he is doing an excellent job.
There are a few snippets about his past, about growing up in the Bay Area and thoughts about what went wrong with his ex-wife Evelyn.
It's a big fast adventure at sea which is what Forester is known for. This book was turned into the Tom Hanks movie Greyhound.
As a matter of fact, my anger does keep me warm