The Golden Ocean Audiobook

" O'Brian is more famous for the Aubrey/Maturin series, but this book, his first seafaring adventure novel, is my favorite. He wrote it in six weeks, "laughing the whole time." The story is based on a true historical event, but the characters, most of them regular seamen or mid-shipmen, are all his making. "

" Before Maturin and Aubrey, there was this little volume, and it is a delight. Note the characters' names taken from James Joyce's Portrait of the Artist, and the plot of the actual chase and capture of a Spanish treasure ship only slightly fictionalized. But all the themes of his later books, sans ruminations on aging, truncated, with his wonderful rhythm and language intact. This is a fun book by a master, not much talked about. "

" I'm a huge fan of Patrick O'Brian and his long series of nautical books. This nuatical story is an early one, before he develped the 2 main characters that are so beloved in the later series. That said, this book falls short in comparison. It does not even seem as well written to boot. It is of some interest and relevance to me as a devoted fan but I would not recommend it to a first-timer; read the Aubrey/Maturin series first! "

" Recently been enjoying O'Brian's earlier works. This one was a treat. One gets to hear a slightly different take on life at sea from the perspective of an Irish midshipman. The book isn't quite as wrought with theme and tone as the Aubrey/Maturin series is. The pacing is also somewhat different and time lapses in jerking, shuddering leaps that take you by surprise. "

" I read this because Adrian loves Patrick O'Brien books, and has read them all - a significant undertaking ... I tried one once before, at his urging, and found it so full of maritime jargon that it was unreadable (by me). Adrian particularly recommended this one, so I had another go. It was readable, and I finished it, but wouldn't go back for more. Very 'boys own', I thought. "

" This book is O'brian's first seafaring adventure novel. It is my favorite of all of them. "

" The first Patrick O'Brian book I read. Not my favorite, but I'll try another before I pass judgement. "

" Very entertaining. Some parts seem a little disconnected, it is harder to follow than O'Brian usually is, but very good. I detect traits in the characters in this and The Unknown Shore that lead the development into the masterpieces Aubrey and Maturin are. "

" This earlier book by O'Brian foreshadows the excellent relationships between characters that make the Aubrey/Maturin "

" As charming and exciting as the Aubrey/Maturin series. "

" Fantastic work. As good as Master and Commander. O' Brian is a top rate story teller. "

" Delicious. I read this in the middle of the Aubrey/Maturin series and it was easy to see how O'Brian developed the series once I read this book. He really does have a superb attention to detail and his love for the ocean and those that love her is just so beautiful to behold. "

" Thanks Bill and Agi, this book was great. I really liked seeing the whole voyage from a midshipman's point of view, that's missing from the Aubrey books. "

" Very good, but not quite up to the Aubrey Maturin series. Here O'Brian is getting his feet wet in the nautical genre. "

" I read this frequently. Great story, wonderful writing. "

" Just as good as his Aubrey/Maturin series. "

" I listed to this one and really enjoyed the humor and the way it was read. "

" Not O'Brian's best but interesting as a precedent to his Aubrey/Maturin series. "

" Typical O,Brian "

" One of O'Brian's earlier works and a forerunner of his seafaring, Aubrey/Maturin series. It does not reach the excellence of writing his later work attains, but this is well-done and quite enjoyable. "

" This is is a great way to get into the POB cult (and a great book to read if you've already exhausted the AUbrey-Maturin series). A wonderful, funny, touching, page-turning adventure on the high seas with 2 great main characters. I'm just sorry he didn't follow Peter and Sean for 19 more books! "

" Much better than "The Unknown Shore" as a precursor to the Aubrey/Maturin novels. "

" Great sailing yarn. "

" I really liked the story. I had a hard time with all the nautical jargon not being familiar with ships, but to me some of it was just too much because of my lack of knowledge. "

" As charming and exciting as the Aubrey/Maturin series. "

" Delicious. I read this in the middle of the Aubrey/Maturin series and it was easy to see how O'Brian developed the series once I read this book. He really does have a superb attention to detail and his love for the ocean and those that love her is just so beautiful to behold. "

" Very good, but not quite up to the Aubrey Maturin series. Here O'Brian is getting his feet wet in the nautical genre. "

" Much better than "The Unknown Shore" as a precursor to the Aubrey/Maturin novels. "

" This is is a great way to get into the POB cult (and a great book to read if you've already exhausted the AUbrey-Maturin series). A wonderful, funny, touching, page-turning adventure on the high seas with 2 great main characters. I'm just sorry he didn't follow Peter and Sean for 19 more books! "

" Fantastic work. As good as Master and Commander. O' Brian is a top rate story teller. "

" This earlier book by O'Brian foreshadows the excellent relationships between characters that make the Aubrey/Maturin "

" Thanks Bill and Agi, this book was great. I really liked seeing the whole voyage from a midshipman's point of view, that's missing from the Aubrey books. "

" Not O'Brian's best but interesting as a precedent to his Aubrey/Maturin series. "

" I listed to this one and really enjoyed the humor and the way it was read. "

" I read this frequently. Great story, wonderful writing. "