Master and Commander Audiobook

" Patrick Tull is by far the quintessential narrator for these stories. There can be no competition and he will be sadly missed. His sense of drama, pronunciation of the complex language employed in these books and accent is impeccable. Avoid lesser imitations. "

" This is one of the O'Brian books used as a basis for the movie...yet very unlike the movie. If you are into naval history or sailing, you'll probably like it, but don't expect an easy read. The naval terminology is a bit daunting at first, but somewhat explanatory via context. I'd suggest getting "A Sea of Words" by Dean King before you start with M&C...it's a concordance and background to the O'Brian series, which I'm fondly attached to at this point. "

" I'm going to try to read (in some cases reread) all the Aubrey/Maturin novels before the end of the year. This is the first, introductory one and with its exciting adventures, interesting characters and fine sense of humour it leaves you wanting for more. "

" The first book of the finest series written "

" Destined to be a classic and a great foundation for the series. I, like the Jack Aubrey character, will always have a fond place in my heart for the little 14-gun brig Sophie. "

" When looking for something to read in the wee hours I have found little better than Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey-Maturin novels. The other night I decided it was time to start a new voyage through the series with this the first book, published forty years ago. "

" I've never read a book this detailed with and enamored by mizzens, half-mizzen, mastheads, and the jib. It's a cool experience, but sometimes feels like getting sucked into a yarn told by Grandpa Simpson. "

" Probably a mistake for an obsessive, series-finishing reader like me to start this one. But it is almost summer vacation. "

" I'm sorry, Kevin.....I just couldn't finish it. "

" My husband put on this movie a few times before I realized it was based on one of the 36 Back to Best Books by Marilyn Green Faulkner. When I finally realized this, I actually watched the movie on May 9, 2012 and really enjoyed it. Then I read the book--the 24th MGF book. I just couldn't ever seem to get into the book but finished it. Yet, because MGF recommended it and then one of our Esperanza board members also commented on how great it was, I think I'll read it again--at some point. "

" I don't know much about boats or the technical terms that are used, which made the beginning of the book very confusing. But, once you get past trying to figure it all out, it was enjoyable and told a good story. "

" Ken and I are listening to tis book and it's so interesting. O'Brian's nautical history and knowledge of boats, rigging and sailing is amazing. the plot is great and the battle scenes vivid. We will definitely get the next book i n the series. "

" Their was too much sailing jargon and not enough compelling story for me to truly enjoy this book. I gutted it out, but not one of my favorites. "

" Mel had this entire collection of books, but I barely made it through the first one. I just didn't like O'Brian's writing style. I've read plenty of war sagas and sea battles elsewhere, but his descriptions were just not accessible for me. "

" If you love history and in particular have an interest in the Napoleonic wars, this is handcrafted for you. Think of a brilliant mixture of Jane Austen and Bernard Cornwell style and you have something close; though, it must be said that O'brian is in a league of his own. This whole series is grand. If you like O'brian look at C.S. Forester as well. "

" Character driven book. A good look into that time in history. Not being a nautical person, I still enjoyed the read. "

" Need to buy a boat encyclopedia if I plan to tackle another O'Brian Aubrey-Maturin book! "

" O'Brien's books have brought me back to reading fiction. I'm learning so much from them and loving every minute of it. "

" Not terrible, but not for me. "

" The sony ereader I'm using has a dictionary built-in. A must have if you don't know your naval terms. On an sailing ship, do you know what a yard is? A bow chaser? "

" It was a bit of a slow starter (I questioned my interest level in the first 25 pages, not a good sign). That said, it finished strong and having read over 20 books in the series, I would have to say I'm beyond hooked by this author. "

" Excellent work, but bear in mind that you will end up reading all 20 volumes. So be prepared. "

" Lovely book. Meant to read more in the series but haven't got round to it. "

" A great book, an honestly brutal tale of life at sea, in her majesty's time. The characters are well developed, the storyline is exciting. (I must admit, the photography in the movie was stellar.) "

" I just don't see why these are considered better than the Horatio Hornblower series. I really struggle to get into them. "

" I enjoyed this so much that I bought four more copies from Amazon and lent all five out to my friends. "

" It was really hard to read. It was a good book but the way it was written was hard to get into. I said it was a tedious book but I am still going to read the rest of the series. "

" This is an excellent book and not at all what I expected. Patrick O'Brian wasn't merely a good storyteller, he was a great writer. The only problem is that he devotes too much attention explaining how to maneuver a frigate. "

" An excellent, well-written book and it gives a great feeling for going to sea in the 19th Century. But I had a hard time understanding so much of the nautical terminology that I had difficulty following the plot. "

" A more gritty Royal Navy series that Horatio Hornblower, but I am enjoying the Aubrey/Maturin series, as well. "

" Not a bad book, but I was a little disappointed considering the reputation of the series. The characters are somewhat wooden and one dimensional and the writing could seem stilted at times. It was good enough that I will read on to the next book, but I do hope it gets better. "

" I am giving this four stars despite the fact that I gave up half way through. I think it is wonderfully researched and written, but just "not for me." I can give the author kudos for a job well done, but walk away without knowing (or frankly caring) what happened next. "

" Great book, Aubrey and Maturin are such a great character pairing. It's a bit confusing with the ship lingo but it has a great pace. Aubrey (captain) and Maturin (doctor) would be fantastic characters by themselves but their interaction makes them both much better. "

" I'm just not the sea faring man type, otherwise I'm sure its a great book. "

" Fun, great details of life in another time, boy is is all things nautical. "

" First in a series of novels about the British navy during the late 1700s/early 1800s. It was an interesting glimpse into life at sea. The tale was fun to follow but there was so much technical information about sailing the ship that was impossible to follow. "

" It felt a bit weak in story, especially the ending, but I LOVED this books jargon and historicity. Almost makes me want to be a privateer. "

" This series picked me up and carried me away to another time. Every little detail, every nuance, every quirk of personality made me think I was on that ship. This series isn't for every one, but I loved it. "

" This series picked me up and carried me away to another time. Every little detail, every nuance, every quirk of personality made me think I was on that ship. This series isn't for every one, but I loved it. "

" This is the first of a marvelous series of 12 books of a couple of central characters in the naval aspects of Napoleon wars. It's remarkable how the author weaves is plots with a wonderful feel for that time in history. I've read the entire series 3 or 4 times. "

" Very detailed, accurate descriptions of life in the Napoleonic-era British Royal Navy. I found it pretty boring. "

" Cool. Started the second one. Aubrey is kind of a doofus in a lot of ways. "

" One needs the internet at hand to look up all the words! Do not read in the paperback edition if you have bad eyes! "

" Great series of books. I've read them all and the relationship between Maturin and Aubrey is subtle and acute. If you like tall ships, adventure, travel, romance and everything in between read these books. "

" Awesome, although I needed a dictionary of naval terminology to fully appreciate all the technical stuff. Great story. "

" Awesome, although I needed a dictionary of naval terminology to fully appreciate all the technical stuff. Great story. "

" not bad for an adventure novel and the characters are well written but it would desperately need a sailing term glossary to make proper sense "

" not bad for an adventure novel and the characters are well written but it would desperately need a sailing term glossary to make proper sense "

" Up helm, stu'n'sails alo and aloft! Beat to quarters! <br/>A bit difficult if you don't pick up the salty jargon, but I got totally lost amongst the images in this one, not to mention getting hooked in the process. "

" Up helm, stu'n'sails alo and aloft! Beat to quarters! <br/>A bit difficult if you don't pick up the salty jargon, but I got totally lost amongst the images in this one, not to mention getting hooked in the process. "

" I love all of the Jack Aubrey series. I must admit I tend to skim the battle scenes but the characters and dialogue are brilliant, often laugh out loud funny. I love the sense of being immersed in a historical era, and Patrick O'Brian does that superbly well. "

" I love all of the Jack Aubrey series. I must admit I tend to skim the battle scenes but the characters and dialogue are brilliant, often laugh out loud funny. I love the sense of being immersed in a historical era, and Patrick O'Brian does that superbly well. "

" A new addiction has begun.... "

" Good story, but I will admit a bit hard to read. Lots of long sentences. Having the visuals from the movie in my mind did help. "

" Good story, but I will admit a bit hard to read. Lots of long sentences. Having the visuals from the movie in my mind did help. "

" I listened to this on audio and it was delightful, perfect for audio. I'll read the others when I can. "

" I listened to this on audio and it was delightful, perfect for audio. I'll read the others when I can. "

" A good, fun story. Sometimes you feel you're right in a ship's cabin with the waves and cannon shot close by. Can't see my wife enjoying it, but then, I wouldn't enjoy the potato peel society. "

" A good, fun story. Sometimes you feel you're right in a ship's cabin with the waves and cannon shot close by. Can't see my wife enjoying it, but then, I wouldn't enjoy the potato peel society. "

" I can't do this one - I'm sure if you had a visual maritime archival vocabulary you'd love it. I'm just not a boat nerd. "

" I can't do this one - I'm sure if you had a visual maritime archival vocabulary you'd love it. I'm just not a boat nerd. "

" If I had a grasp of the technical terms, the nautical lingo or even understood half of the English I might have enjoyed this book. "