Cecil Scott Forester is best known for his historical novels, particularly those about the British naval officer, Horatio Hornblower. The Hostage is a Second World War story taken from the point of view of a German General, Friederich von Dexter, who receives hysterical orders from the Fuehrer, Adolf Hitler, in the dying days of the War. He must obey his orders or face the fatal Nazi punishments for military disobedience, but can he also save the lives of the ten thousand ordinary German soldiers under his command?