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The Fortune of War Audiobook
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(4.00) - 8,873 listener ratings
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En route home, Aubrey and Maturin find themselves in deep trouble when their ship engages the U.S.S. Constitution in battle-and loses. Aubrey, now a POW in Boston, waits for word of a prisoner exchange, while Maturin renews a most cherished friendship.
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"I was in the middle of slogging through Dune Messiah and needed to read something I knew I would love. So it was time to return to Patrick O'Brian, Jack Aubrey, and Stephen Maturin. The Fortune of War did not fail to be the comfort novel I was yearning for. The book follows Aubrey's vain attempts to return to England to assume command of a plum ship. Of course, in classic O'Brian style, every sort of misadventure befalls the heroes, from a fire at see, to being prisoners of war in Boston. I loved the Boston interlude, with Maturin's espionage against the French catching up with him in dramatic fashion. If O'Brian provided an ounce less detail, the situations that Aubrey and Maturin always find themselves in would seem ridiculous, but because his world is so complete and convincing, O'Brian has a surfeit of good faith from his readers, who indulge him in all of his flights of historical fancy."
— Mike (4 out of 5 stars)
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“A marvelously full-flavored, engrossing book, which towers over its current rivals in the genre like a three-decker over a ship’s longboat.”
— Times Literary Supplement (London)
The Fortune of War Listener Reviews
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" I am enjoying "rereading" the Aubrey-Maturin series in Patrick Tull's narration. This was another great installment. "
— ILRose, 8/28/2023 -
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David Bamford, 11/30/2022
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Bruce Jondle, 10/30/2022
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Doug , 6/21/2022
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Todd Palmer, 6/8/2020
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Thomas Hjerpe, 3/24/2020
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" The Fortune of War lives up the usual high standards of the Aubrey-Maturin series by Patrick O'Brian. On top of the staple benefits of the series, this novel gives the reader nuanced and historically accurate views of the War of 1812 from multiple British and American perspectives. A must-read for those interested in that conflict or early American naval history. "
— Paul, 2/28/2018 -
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Anthony Schiro, 11/10/2017
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" This continues to be a very enjoyable series. Although, this story seemed to be more of a "bridge" as it doesn't really come to a final resolution (in my opinion). The writing continues to be great and the characters full and real. "
— Sadie, 2/20/2014 -
" Napleonic naval "
— Ron, 2/18/2014 -
" Another excellent Aubrey/Maturin adventure. "
— James, 2/13/2014 -
" Good. It certainly has become a serial at this point instead of stand alone books. Stephen is fascinating. "
— Michael, 2/11/2014 -
" Not one of my favorites so far, but still a solid story. Maturin gets lots of good page time, and there's some great material showing the depth of the friendship between him and Aubrey. "
— Kathryn, 2/9/2014 -
" This used to be my favourite of the series, but now that position is taken by Destination Island. It's still pretty good, but a lot of it is Aubrey and Maturin waiting for things to happen. "
— Erik, 2/4/2014 -
" This was another good book in the Aubrey-Maturin series. I never get tired of the quality of the author's writing, or with the tales of derring-do. "
— John, 1/27/2014 -
" continues to make me dream of sailing into the sunset... "
— Andre, 1/27/2014 -
" another wonderful aubrey and maturin saga. terrific dialog and interesting vignettes of the sea. our boys are captured in the war of 1812 after being sunk by the uss constitution. they spend a winter in boston, but eventually 'escape' and take some modest revenge on an american ship. "
— Jrobertus, 1/25/2014 -
" This novel focuses on the English/American war of 1812 and it provides an excellent view of the darker side of Stephen Maturin's life. The descriptions of the dangerous, fog filled city most of the book is set in are a perfect metaphor for the shady world of espionage O' Brian explores. "
— Maeve, 1/15/2014 -
" Lots of good spy stuff in this one, although Jack also gets a chance to shine. A little different from the rest of the series in that most of the action takes place on land, but really excellent. "
— Brackman1066, 1/8/2014 -
" Another great installment from the Aubrey-Maturin series. Here the War of 1812 has broken out and we find Aubrey & Maturin prisoners captured by the Americans. A good chunk of the book takes place in Boston, crawling with American-allied French, where Maturin deals with enemy French spies and runs into the love of his life, but there are still a couple of very exciting naval battles. I was struck in this book by the violence and ubiquity of death, both at sea and on land. Death in these books is sometimes casual and sometimes tragic, but there is plenty of it. This book is again so, so funny and delightful and gripping. I was reading part of it waiting for a doctor's appointment and I was so engrossed that I literally started and couldn't quite remember where I was when they called my name. "
— Julia, 1/4/2014 -
" Just finished this one, I've read a lot of these books, can't remember sometimes which ones's i've finished. In this one he is at war with the French and America. Has a battle with two American ships, loses one and wins one. "
— Mike, 1/3/2014 -
" Yes, this series is as amazing as everyone says it is. If you like boats, start at book one. If you don't, start at book two. "
— John, 1/3/2014 -
" I just really like all of these books. Interesting characters and complex plots. "
— DC, 12/31/2013 -
" Good book on tape. "
— Wendy, 12/11/2013 -
" Read the first five books in the Aubrey-Maturin series and am now listening to the sixth, wonderfully narrated by Patrick Tull. Listening let's me savor O'Brien's rich language more fully. "
— Webster, 11/1/2013 -
" Stephen understands so much about life.... and Jack, so little! But Jack is the ultimate sailor, and Stephen, despite years on board with Jack, still doesn't know a halyard from a sheet! "
— LDuchess, 10/19/2013 -
" Excellent, as expected! "
— Kathleen, 10/16/2013 -
" One of the best of the navy series by Patrick O'Brian. In this book, Jack and his surgeon friend are in the USA as prisoners of war. I like the diplomacy and personal parts of the book more than the straight out naval battles. "
— Jimmy, 8/16/2013 -
" Previously read in late 2008. Read again in September 2010. "
— Greg, 6/14/2013 -
" 1st Recorded Reading: August 2001 "
— Kathryn, 3/26/2013 -
" Yes, this series is as amazing as everyone says it is. If you like boats, start at book one. If you don't, start at book two. "
— John, 1/21/2013 -
" This novel focuses on the English/American war of 1812 and it provides an excellent view of the darker side of Stephen Maturin's life. The descriptions of the dangerous, fog filled city most of the book is set in are a perfect metaphor for the shady world of espionage O' Brian explores. "
— Maeve, 1/4/2013 -
" I can't believe I was rooting against the USS Constitution! Very cool that ship still exists and it's docked less than an hour away from where I live. "
— Larissa, 12/8/2012 -
" Much more focused on Maturin, than Aubrey. "
— Wendy, 11/28/2012 -
" So witty and wonderful, beyond "great" "
— Don, 11/18/2012 -
" Conflicts with America escalate to open war and Dr Maturin's espionage during Desolation Island is starting to have repercussions on Aubrey. "
— Nicole, 11/13/2012 -
" Good book on tape. "
— Wendy, 6/23/2012 -
" These are consistently good stories. "
— Tom, 6/10/2012 -
" My favorite Aubrey/Maturin book so far. "
— Floyd, 6/3/2012 -
" As ever with O'Brian, he doesn't write what you expect. This was not the book I expected after Desolation Island...but it's charming. "
— Mackay, 2/15/2012 -
" another one of my favorites from the Aubrey-Maturin series "
— Lucas, 11/20/2011 -
" This was another good book in the Aubrey-Maturin series. I never get tired of the quality of the author's writing, or with the tales of derring-do. "
— John, 10/15/2011 -
" Goodness, I can't get enough of these books. Where have they been all my life? "
— Tiffin, 10/12/2011 -
" This continues to be a very enjoyable series. Although, this story seemed to be more of a "bridge" as it doesn't really come to a final resolution (in my opinion). The writing continues to be great and the characters full and real. "
— Sadie, 7/13/2011 -
" Typically fantastic. But, even given the incredibly diverse subject matter of these books, the heart and soul of the series is sailing and ship to ship battles, and most of this book is set on land and concerns espianage. (There are a couple of battles, but they are peripheral to the main story.) "
— Bill, 6/2/2011 -
" Conflicts with America escalate to open war and Dr Maturin's espionage during Desolation Island is starting to have repercussions on Aubrey. "
— Nicole, 3/29/2011 -
" If I remember correctly, this one has less sea action and more spy intrigue with the French figuring out that the doctor isn't just a ship's surgeon and noted natural philosopher but also their nemesis in espionage. Capt. Aubrey and the doctor are captured and tossed in a French tower. "
— Kendra, 3/28/2011 -
" continues to make me dream of sailing into the sunset... "
— Andre, 3/16/2011 -
" continues to make me dream of sailing into the sunset... "
— Andre, 3/16/2011 -
" Previously read in late 2008. Read again in September 2010. "
— Greg, 3/1/2011 -
" Previously read in late 2008. Read again in September 2010. "
— Greg, 3/1/2011 -
" This novel focuses on the English/American war of 1812 and it provides an excellent view of the darker side of Stephen Maturin's life. The descriptions of the dangerous, fog filled city most of the book is set in are a perfect metaphor for the shady world of espionage O' Brian explores. "
— Maeve, 1/9/2011 -
" This novel focuses on the English/American war of 1812 and it provides an excellent view of the darker side of Stephen Maturin's life. The descriptions of the dangerous, fog filled city most of the book is set in are a perfect metaphor for the shady world of espionage O' Brian explores. "
— Maeve, 1/9/2011 -
" Another great Aubrey Maturin novel. I love the descriptions of historic sea battles, but particularly this installment as it involved the USS Constitution. "
— Tagg, 10/12/2010 -
" Another great Aubrey Maturin novel. I love the descriptions of historic sea battles, but particularly this installment as it involved the USS Constitution. "
— Tagg, 10/12/2010 -
" My favorite Aubrey/Maturin book so far. "
— Floyd, 10/11/2010 -
" My favorite Aubrey/Maturin book so far. "
— Floyd, 10/11/2010 -
" Much more focused on Maturin, than Aubrey. "
— Wendy, 9/28/2010 -
" Much more focused on Maturin, than Aubrey. "
— Wendy, 9/28/2010 -
" I am really enjoying this series and feel like I am catching on a bit (just a bit) to the unusual terms the author uses. "
— Marianne, 3/30/2010 -
" I am really enjoying this series and feel like I am catching on a bit (just a bit) to the unusual terms the author uses. "
— Marianne, 3/30/2010 -
" So witty and wonderful, beyond "great" "
— Don, 3/22/2010 -
" Book 6 in the famous sea-faring series. I just love this series; such a great example of historical fiction! "
— Kellyreaderofbooks, 3/22/2010 -
" So witty and wonderful, beyond "great" "
— Don, 3/22/2010 -
" Book 6 in the famous sea-faring series. I just love this series; such a great example of historical fiction! "
— Kellyreaderofbooks, 3/22/2010
About Patrick O'Brian
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.