The beginning to the sweeping Aubrey/Maturin series. “The best sea story I have ever read.” — Sir Francis Chichester
This, the first in the splendid series of Jack Aubrey novels, establishes the friendship between Captain Aubrey, R.N., and Stephen Maturin, ship’s surgeon and intelligence agent, against a thrilling backdrop of the Napoleonic wars. Details of a life aboard a man-of-war are … are faultlessly rendered: the conversational idiom of the officers in the ward room and the men on the lower deck, the food, the floggings, the mysteries of the wind and the rigging, and the roar of broadsides as the great ships close in battle.
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Historical Fiction Classic
Historical Adventure on the high seas with characters who are relatable and with whom I can identify.
Book One of the greatest book series of the 20th Century
First Book in One of the best Historical Fiction Series ever.
Wonderfully written with great characterisation. This is an historical novel which really seems to immerse you in the times it describes without superimposing current values.
This is without a doubt (in my opinion) one of the best seafaring series since C S Forester’s Hornblower saga. O’Brien’s prose and style is reminiscent of and been compared to Jane Austen. His characterizations come across as real as any I’ve ever read. The action is so real you can small and taste the blood and gunpowder. Smoke and oakum …
There’s nothing like the sounds and smells of the sea to accentuate a great work of classic naval fiction. As far as I’m concerned, Patrick O’Brian’s Aubrey/Maturin series is the ultimate “beach read.” The characters are detailed, believable, and endearing, and the twenty-one-book-long story line defines the genre like nothing before or since.
A great classic in this genre — I have always wanted to read this book, and it did not disappoint. You have to be very patient with naval terminology or willing to just slide over it, however. I’m willing to just ignore all that stuff about sails and ropes and focus on the human drama. Looking forward to reading more of these books.
Read the entire series. 20 (plus thee unfinished 21st) excellent British 19th century naval history (fictionalized)
I bought the book because I enjoy adventure novels set in the period depicted: Napolian Wars Era. Sailing tales have always been a favorite of mine. Epic battles aplenty, full blown characters with interesting interactions and a satisfying good vs evil competition.
I’m in the process of rereading the Aubrey-Maturin series, and that’s the best recommendation I can make.
I highly recommend this book and the series that followed it. The story of the friendship between Captain Jack Aubrey and Doctor Stephen Maturin on the high seas and off is terrific. You’ll find history mixed with adventure in a well-told set of tales. The one caveat, and this is a minor point, is that the author uses many old and actual terms …
One of the best historical fiction series ever written.
Naval Historical Fiction written in the vernacular. I found this book and the rest of the series very interesting.
Bar none, my all-time favorite book series.
A slow moving tale which quickly accelerates to a great tale.
I’ve read the entire Aubrey,Maturin series. Best of the genre. Fantastic books.
I loved this movie and expected to love the book, and though I’m one who can read most books easily, I found this one overloaded with details especially of a nautical nature, and had to put it down.
Great details. Loved this book!
I thought the book was excellent. The whole series is excellent.