The Peace of Amiens has left Aubrey with no ship, no enemy to pursue and no possibility of prize money to supplement his meager income. His decision to seek refuge from his troubles-and creditors-in France proves doubly disastrous.
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"Man, I love these books! In this one, BFFs Jack Aubrey and Stephen Maturin thought they knew each other initimately, but both discover there's more to the other than they previously knew. There's a lot of gentlemanly angst--over ladies, over unkind words spoken in the heat of anger, over jealousy and mistrust. But here's a spoiler: they work it all out in the end. Huzzay! There are also the requisite naval intrigues and battles, and, of course, plenty of humor. I can't wait to read book three!" — Warnie (5 out of 5 stars)
"Man, I love these books! In this one, BFFs Jack Aubrey and Stephen Maturin thought they knew each other initimately, but both discover there's more to the other than they previously knew. There's a lot of gentlemanly angst--over ladies, over unkind words spoken in the heat of anger, over jealousy and mistrust. But here's a spoiler: they work it all out in the end. Huzzay! There are also the requisite naval intrigues and battles, and, of course, plenty of humor. I can't wait to read book three!"
“They’re funny, they’re exciting, they’re informative. There are legions of us who gladly ship out time and time again under Captain Aubrey.”
“Master and Commander raised almost dangerously high expectations…Post Captain triumphantly surpasses them…a brilliant book.”
" I picked up a used copy of Post Captain for ten shekels from a bargain bin in Jerusalem. It was my first Patrick O'Brian book (now have 23 and counting...) and it somehow woke up my inner sailor and history buff. Even though it spends more time ashore than most of the rest, I think I've read this one 4-5 times just for the pleasure. Kind of like turning on a BBC classic in your head - only better. "
" Not an "easy" read for me. Very technical in old nautical terms/expressions, but that is what makes it so good. I have yet to succumb to buying the O'brian Lexicon as that would be too much information for me but I have managed to pick up a few terms to use myself. Don't know if I will finish the lengthy series but so far am intrigued. "
" Not as interesting as the first. More character/drama centered, but without characters that can support that kind of book. Far more shore life than naval life. Interesting history, though. "
" Intense excitement punctuated by the tediousness of a naval ship not at war. Overall, a fun read. "
" Good book. Holds interest. Should anyone wish to read the series, and particularly the first, I would recommend reviewing sailing lore and history of the Napoleonic Sea battles. Lots of humor here that can go missed. "
" Great book. Makes you want to talk like a sailor (not curse, talk, like a sailor) for a few days. Not as action-packed as Master and Commander but probably a better depiction of Aubrey and Maturin as characters. "
" This one took me a while to finish. I am getting hooked on this series, and am surprised that I am getting hooked on it because it's not my genre. Anyway, this one only gets three stars because there was too much romance in my opinion. The characters are better when they're off at sea having adventures versus in at shore pining away for their unrequited love interests. "
" Two books down in the Aubrey/Maturin series, 18 to go! I didn't like this as much as "Master and Commander" -- too much on-shore domestic drama, not enough high-seas adventure. But it has kept me interested enough to continue reading the series. "
" Love Patrick O's stories. "
" Oh, how I love these books. A mix of maritime combat, romance, and human bravery and foolishness... along with plenty of humor. I've read these many times and will continue to re-read them. "
" lots of great 18th century history and sociology and a really good story too! "
" This gets three instead of four stars because I found the whole "disguised as a bear" thing incredibly annoying. I know most people probably find it funny, but it just made me crazy! "
" The interactions between Diana Villiers and Stephen Maturin in this book are probably the single best characterization of human relationships in the history of ever. "
" I really enjoy the range of these characters. The music, food, geography, history, miltary and sailing lessons keep me learning and interested. This one lead to my quickly getting to the library to pick up the next in the series... "
" Starting to understand the technical language and how Captain Aubrey is struggling with a badly designed and built frigate can make life difficult on the seas. "
" Captain Jack Aubrey isn't nearly as enjoyable as landlubber. "
" Charm has worn thin by the 3rd book. Liked the 1st two much better. "
" All are good reads. "
" This is just excellent. This novel has all the action you would expect from a naval adventure, but it is also a novel of manners, with comedy and real drama. Two down, 18+ to go,,, "
" I liked it alright. "
" This one wasnt as good as the first. Got a bit over wordy at times and certain parts just dragged too long. When there was action though, it was definitely hard to put down! "
" And again, so much of this at first blush seemed to be a rehash of a Hornblower plot...yet that erudition, that voice, what he demanded of the reader--I was getting there. "
" Fun, eye opening, and written with a sailor's voice to a sailor's audience. "
" Even better than the first. I am glad there are 18 more in this series! "
" Right good fun as always. As with Master & Commander, I recommend this audio version with Simon Vance at the reader's mike. If you don't find a little of the jargon, slang, and idiom creeping into your thoughts and speech I will be much amazed. "
" This series is becoming my go-to, escapist, guilty-pleasure reading that isn't even so guilty. Yay for escapist reading. "
" These books are incredible. I need to sail somewhere. "
" Oh wonderful. Thought the start a little slow, but once we were back at sea I was happy. Felt rather sad to get to the end, especially as it ended somewhat abruptly. "
" I just started book 2 but as soon as Jack and Stephen came back on the scene I just got excited. These are fantastic characters and I'm really looking forward to this book! "
" The prose style grated for me, but otherwise I enjoyed it. I wasn't left desparate to get the next book though. "
" In my opinion the best of the Aubrey/Maturin saga. Great fun from cover to cover... You find yourself cheering Aubrey, which being french myself, results in conflicting feelings to say the least :) In my top 10 historical novels. "
" Even better the third (or maybe fourth) time. So many lovely little scenes. "
" I can't praise this book enough. Some clever person described O'Brian's Aubrey/Maturin series as "Jane Austen meets Horatio Hornblower." That's pretty apt, but I think there's even more to him than that. "
" Thoroughly enjoyable. Aubrey and Matruin are a classic literature duo. If you enjoy a good adventure, this series is a must read. "
" This book gives a lot of insight into the character Jack Aubrey. The whole series is about him of course, but this is very much his book. Sometime's he's not the greatest man. "
" The best of the Aubrey/Maturin books so far (as I write this, I am five books in). A brilliant example of the author's sly style, I periodically found myself shaking with laughter. "
" Re-read: 6/2012 "
" I eventually got to like this book. It doesn't follow the traditional narrative arc, but it was fun watching Aubrey and Maturin's friendship develop and become more complicated. "
" better than the first volume in the series but still not good enough to make me want to run out and read the rest "
" Set t'gallants and man the braces, give 'er five stars! "
" A wonderful improvement from the first novel. The battle instances were clearer, and the the side plot love stories were engaging. The pacing was intelligent and unlike the first book I didn't want it to end. A great read if you like old naval stories. "
" Second time reading this one, on my way back through the Aubrey/Maturin saga slowly over the next however-long. "
" Devo dire che ho preferito il primo libro, "Primo Comando", ci sono molti più combattimenti. In questo romanzo l'autore si focalizza troppo sull'aspetto economico della vita marinara e sulla natura di agente segreto di Stephen Maturin. "
" Even better. Although I wish the author would avoid such juvenile devices as having our heroes confer with the great and powerful, or take major roles in historical events, this was otherwise an outstanding book, the action powerfully suspenseful, the wooing an excellent tribute to Jane Austen. "
Patrick O’Brian (1914–2000), a translator and author of biographies, was best known as the author of the highly acclaimed Aubrey–Maturin series of historical novels. Set in the Royal Navy during the Napoleonic Wars ,this twenty-volume series centers on the enduring friendship between naval officer Jack Aubrey and physician and spy Stephen Maturin. The Far Side of the World, the tenth book in the series, was adapted into a 2003 film directed by Peter Weir and starring Russell Crowe and Paul Bettany. The film was nominated for ten Oscars, including Best Picture. He wrote acclaimed biographies of Pablo Picasso and Sir Joseph Banks. He also translated many works from the French, among them the novels and memoirs of Simone de Beauvoir and Jean Lacouture’s biographies of Charles de Gaulle.
Patrick Tull (1941–2006), born in the United Kingdom, was a multitalented actor of the stage, screen, and television, as well as an award-winning audiobook narrator. He acted in numerous American television shows from 1962 to 1996, including Crossroads, and he had roles in six Broadway plays between 1967 and 1992, including Amadeus. His film credits from 1969 to 1996 included roles as Cecil in Parting Glances and Jerry the bartender in Sleepers. He served as narrator for the television series Sea Tales. He narrated nearly forty audiobooks, and his readings of The Canterbury Tales, The Letter of Marque, Monk’s Hood, The Vicar of Wakefield, and How Green Was My Valley each earned him an AudioFile Earphones Award. His narration of Patrick O’Brian’s Aubrey/Maturin novels was praised by novelist Stephen King as among his ten favorite audiobooks of 2006.
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