C.S. Forester's "Hornblower" Series

One of the first series of nautical sea fiction, and still the standard for comparison with those who came after, Forester's "Hornblower" series is still fresh with each reading. His hero is a man who acts with courage, ingenuity, and leadership, but carries within him a sense of his own fallibility and a lack of self-confidence. His stories are fast-paced, colorful, full of rich characters, and historically authoritative.