Lt. Hornblower and his mates are sent to accompany a doomed royalist invasion of revolutionary France.

Hornblower is called to take a company of British troops (which the sailors call lobsters because of their red coats) and a company of French nationalists to France to fight in the revolution. But Hornblower is horrified by the brutality of the French commander as he guillotines everyone in a village that destroyed his former home and his unwillingness to take part in the actual battles. However, when the commander and his men set out to rape and brutalize a young school teacher, Hornblower vows his protection of her.—John Sacksteder <[email protected]>

The war with France is at a standstill and Captain Pellew is ordered to lead a small fleet of four ships to deliver French General Charette and his royalist soldiers to the French coast. Charette's plan is to raise an army on arrival. He is unaware that an Admiralty messenger was attacked and the invasion plans may have already fallen into enemy hands. Now promoted to full Lieutenant, Horatio is assigned as liaison officer between a French commander, Colonel Moncoutant and the commander of a troop of Royal Marines, Major Edrington. Once ashore, Horatio is appalled by Moncoutant's cruelty and maltreatment of the locals. He is also assigned to defend a key bridge at all costs.—garykmcd