About The C S Forester Society

'We welcome you with open arms...' replies Professor Steinberg

The Beginnings

In the space of two days, two nearly identical letters dropped through a post box in Hawthorn Terrace in Berkeley, California. They were to spark off the CSF Society in September 1997. By coincidence Colin Blogg and John Forester, son of CSF, had each made the same requests - to visit C S Forester's former home and to take a photograph.

The recipients, the kindly Steinbergs sensibly sent John Forester's letter to Colin Blogg, who was to visit San Diego at that time (and naively thought that Berkeley was nearby) and also mailed Colin's to John. And so a meeting was arranged. They then spent a whole day visiting the sites of John's childhood, including several houses in Berkeley. The occasion was celebrated with dinner at one of CSF's favourite seafood restaurants, with more local fans. Over dinner, they agreed to set up twin C S Forester societies in time to celebrate the centenary of his birth.

It took a while. One never knows how much appeal anything has until it is tried. John Perrott and John Norman (both C S Forester enthusiasts, collectors and dealers) agreed to help to start the British society. David Pott of Quality Book Fair gave space and free publicity, David Gower-Spence of Booklovers joined in with his 'booklovers' website. The Luna Caprese Restaurant made a room available at short notice.

By coincidence, too, Meridian TV obliged by screening some of their adaptations of the 'Hornblower' series. BBC and ITV showed The African Queen and The Gun (as The Pride and the Passion) over the Christmas period. Book & Magazine Collector featured the Hornblower novels, and British Airways showed Hornblower to long-haul passengers! Penguin also brought out new editions and a flurry of new Hornblower-related books were published. The time was ripe.

Colin Blogg

The first meeting and society business

This was held on Sunday 7 February 1999. An unknown quantity might turn up! In fact there were eight, mostly local to Oxford and known to the gang of three who began it all.

Resolutions:

We aim to publish a newsletter at regular intervals. If you would like to be informed of its publication, or would like to contribute, then please fill in our information form.

Because we are in our infancy there is not much information on our website but hope this will not deter you from wanting to know more about C S Forester and reading his books. We hope, as the Society grows, the pages will develop into a lively and informative website - we are looking for your help in this, and look forward to hearing from you - by email, fax or by completing the form.

Contact person - Dr Colin Blogg - fax: 01865 515292
Email - csforester@hotmail.com