Who is the best author when it comes to Nelson Type naval books?

Question

For me, C.S Forrester's Hornblower is still the best but I like also, Julian Stockwin,David Donachie,Patrick 0' Brian. Find Alexander Kent (alias Douglas Reeman) miserable

Answer 1

I read the Hornblower series way back when I was in my teens (about 50 years ago) and maybe that explains why H.H. will always be, for me, the definitive British, wooden-ships, iron-men naval hero.
I've read all the O'Brian "Aubrey/Maturin" series, and, while I thoroughly enjoyed them (and found them "technically superior" to Forrester's books), The characters didn't engage me as much as H.H. and company. As I've said, perhaps my age (I was in my 50s when I read O'Brian) made a difference.
But I must disagree with the 1st answerer as to H.H.'s being too "two-dimensional" and "black and white." H.H. himself was by no means a flawless hero; he had plenty of faults. In fact, what helped make him so interesting was that he was able to overcome them. And, as for the "politics of the time", well I simply don't see how O'Brian gave more "depth" to it (and why should he, since the "politics" was, in the main, irrelevant. It was "Boney" versus Britannia, - and England expected every man to do his duty.

Answer 2

Patrick O'Brien, but I like Alexander Kent too, particularly for researching specific naval actions.

I find C S Forester a little two dimensional compared to some of the modern authors. His incidental characters are not as well-rounded and he doesn't give the same depth to the politics of the time. They are a little too "black-and white".

Answer 3

Dudley Pope's Ramage series are very good indeed but probably out of print now though maybe available in used bookshops or charity shops