For years, critics have celebrated best-selling author Patrick O'Brian's seafaring adventures for their magnificent blend of swashbuckling excitement and historical accuracy. With The Hundred Days, he transports you to the high seas of the Napoleonic era when the French demagogue is making a desperate attempt to control the European world. While Napoleon pursues the British across Europe, rumors fly about him forging a secret link with the forces of Islam. Soon an ominous horde of Muslim mercenaries gather. In a desperate attempt to avert disaster, ship's doctor Stephen Maturin navigates oriental politics to uncover the truth. And blustery Commodore Jack Aubrey launches a daring mission to destroy the growing French-Muslim menace. Patrick O'Brian packs this brilliantly executed tale with elegant language, rich humor, and authentic period atmosphere. With his deep, rumbling voice, narrator Patrick Tull brings storm-tossed seas and gallant navy warships colorfully to life. For other entertaining yarns, sail through: Master and Commander and The Yellow Admiral.
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"This was another 3.5 stars really, a good read, but I still prefer the earlier books in the series. The thing that really stuck out in this one was the death of two important characters, one on land and one at sea. Considering who they were (I won't say to spoil things), I was surprised at how little it seemed to effect the other characters in the book, especially Aubrey and Maturin. One of the deaths you only hear about via idle gossip, the other you witness, but it was abrupt and barely mentioned afterwards. I kind of feel that the characters were somehow brushed aside by meeting their ends this way, almost like the author was tired of them and decided they had to go, but didn't want to take time over it. Maybe it's just me, but it didn't quite seem to sit right."
— Sam (4 out of 5 stars)
“One of the best novelists since Jane Austen….The Hundred Days may be the best installment yet.”
— Philadelphia Inquirer“O’Brian is far and away the best of the Napoleonic storytellers, and The Hundred Days is one of the best of the series: a classic naval adventure, crammed with incident, superbly plotted and utterly gripping…This is O’Brian at his brilliant, entertaining best and when he is on this form the rest of us who write of the Napoleonic conflict might as well give up and try a new career. Fans of the series will need no encouragement to buy this book, but if you are new to Aubrey and Maturin, then this is as splendid an introduction as you could wish for.”
— Bernard Cornwell, New York Times bestselling author" First Recorded Reading: November 17, 1999. "
— Kathryn, 2/18/2014" Second time through not as fun as the first because you know what's going to happen, but every book in this series is genius. I'll be reading it again in another couple of years. "
— Matt, 2/16/2014" Not one of the best in the series. I was about two-thirds of the way through before I realized I had read it before. Still, it is one of my favorite series. "
— Ian, 2/15/2014" First Recorded Reading: November 17, 1999. "
— Kathryn, 2/13/2014" More of a nautical romp than the last book, though not as light-hearted as some. "
— S., 2/10/2014" Another segment is folded into this one that is a bit tedious, but not so much as the others. Overall, this one is quite good, though the death of a couple of characters is dealt with in surprisingly-brief form. "
— J.E., 2/9/2014" My favorite character is dead! "
— Squeaky, 2/8/2014" see my review of The Wine Dark Sea. "
— Peter, 1/30/2014" Once again the story is secondary to the fascinating relationship of Jack Aubrey and Stephen Maturin. There are enough sea battles with Barbary pirates to keep the action going but the characters' give and take are primary to the enjoyment of the book. The worst thing about the novel is that this is the 19th installment and there is only one book left in the series. "
— John, 1/23/2014" A fine book, but not as good as previous O'Brian's. Maybe the series slowed down as Mr. O"brian came toward the end of his life. "
— Nathan, 1/22/2014" first read Dec 2007 "
— Chaundra, 1/16/2014" Aubrey and Maturin are successful once again. However, there is a human toll this time that saddened me. I'm enjoying the series and moving on to the next book, wondering what I'll read when I'm done. "
— ghostlibrarian, 1/12/2014" fine fine. "
— Aaron, 1/6/2014" see my review of The Wine Dark Sea. "
— Peter, 1/5/2014" I liked this entry better than the previous but the series is definitely on the downswing though it was still fun to catch up with Captain Jack and Stephen. After a one book hiatus I was able to find an audio read by Patrick Tull who really is the voice of this series. "
— Sandi, 12/26/2013" Very little about Napoleon! "
— Lladroluv, 12/14/2013" This book is like getting on a roller coaster...but without the slow windup at the beginning. Nonstop action and intrigue that is hard to put down and sends you looking for maps and history books to understand what is going on. "
— Morgan, 12/10/2013" If you've managed to get to this point in the Aubrey/Maturin series of novels, you undoubtedly love the characters and all of that wonderful story that O'Brian has managed to weave together. My only regret is finishing it, as I'm almost done with the entire series. "
— Alan, 12/2/2013" There is considerably more nautical information than I ever want to know, which totally obscured the storyline for me. "
— Terry, 11/26/2013" There is considerably more nautical information than I ever want to know, which totally obscured the storyline for me. "
— Terry, 7/31/2013" Another segment is folded into this one that is a bit tedious, but not so much as the others. Overall, this one is quite good, though the death of a couple of characters is dealt with in surprisingly-brief form. "
— J.E., 2/1/2013" Drawing near the end, The Master sketches a bit episodically in this one, and dispatches some characters - perhaps abruptly. Not enough Jack for my tastes, though there's a great Killick bit. "Patriotism, promotion, and prize money." "
— David, 1/30/2013" One character I loved died, and one I disliked a great deal died. These statement make the book seem more exciting then it is in reality. Not my favorite Patrick O'Brian book. "
— Will, 1/15/2013" I have really enjoyed this series and this book is no exception. When we think of Napoleon's return for the 100 days of the title we naturally think of his comeuppance at Waterloo. So this book is especially interesting since it addresses the much less well-known role of the English navy. "
— Bonnie, 11/17/2012" The Hundred Days by Patrick O'Brian (1999) "
— Kelly, 10/19/2012" Far too ticked about a couple of events in this book to rate it 5 stars. "
— Jane, 10/17/2012" Another great installment in Jack and Stephen's naval adventures. There were two big shockers, one near the beginning and one near the end, that I won't reveal here. "
— Karen, 7/26/2012" first read Dec 2007 "
— Chaundra, 5/24/2012" Previously read Nov. 9, 2009. "
— Greg, 3/21/2012" Very little about Napoleon! "
— Lladroluv, 2/26/2012" My favorite character is dead! "
— Squeaky, 2/25/2012" This was my second time reading this book. I love the whole series. "
— S.K., 2/11/2012" I have really enjoyed this series and this book is no exception. When we think of Napoleon's return for the 100 days of the title we naturally think of his comeuppance at Waterloo. So this book is especially interesting since it addresses the much less well-known role of the English navy. "
— Bonnie, 12/23/2011" #19 and said goodbye to one of the peripheral characters who have been in this series forever...only 1 1/2 books left in the series. That makes me sad to think of saying goodbye to characters who have become familiar in the pleasant way of old friends. "
— Sandy, 10/19/2011" This one made me a little sad, which made me happy that the series is almost over, which in turn made me sad that I was happy it was almost over. "
— Courtney, 7/28/2011" The Hundred Days by Patrick O'Brian (1999) "
— Kelly, 7/11/2011" If you've managed to get to this point in the Aubrey/Maturin series of novels, you undoubtedly love the characters and all of that wonderful story that O'Brian has managed to weave together. My only regret is finishing it, as I'm almost done with the entire series. "
— Alan, 7/3/2011" This one made me a little sad, which made me happy that the series is almost over, which in turn made me sad that I was happy it was almost over. "
— Courtney, 5/13/2011" Loss of Barrett Bondon was quite a shock to this reader. The man was an icon. He will be missed. "
— Patrick, 4/30/2011" Enjoyable - and glad that our good doctor expressed regret at killing the lion.<br/>A little unimpressive during the "I'm a doctor of natural philosophy but don't know<br/>about how that moon thingy changes every night." Still, it was a good installment <br/>of the series. "
— R., 4/29/2011" Enjoyable - and glad that our good doctor expressed regret at killing the lion.<br/>A little unimpressive during the "I'm a doctor of natural philosophy but don't know<br/>about how that moon thingy changes every night." Still, it was a good installment <br/>of the series. "
— R., 4/29/2011" Loss of Barrett Bondon was quite a shock to this reader. The man was an icon. He will be missed. "
— Patrick, 1/10/2011" Loss of Barrett Bondon was quite a shock to this reader. The man was an icon. He will be missed. "
— Patrick, 1/10/2011" Not one of the best in the series. I was about two-thirds of the way through before I realized I had read it before. Still, it is one of my favorite series. "
— Ian, 12/21/2010" Not one of the best in the series. I was about two-thirds of the way through before I realized I had read it before. Still, it is one of my favorite series. "
— Ian, 12/21/2010" Another segment is folded into this one that is a bit tedious, but not so much as the others. Overall, this one is quite good, though the death of a couple of characters is dealt with in surprisingly-brief form. "
— J.E., 11/29/2010" Another segment is folded into this one that is a bit tedious, but not so much as the others. Overall, this one is quite good, though the death of a couple of characters is dealt with in surprisingly-brief form. "
— J.E., 11/29/2010" I am despondent to think that after 19 journeys together, I will have to bid farewell to Aubrey and the Dr. after just one and a half more. How empty life will be without them after these years together. "
— Richard, 11/5/2010" I am despondent to think that after 19 journeys together, I will have to bid farewell to Aubrey and the Dr. after just one and a half more. How empty life will be without them after these years together. "
— Richard, 11/5/2010" #19 and said goodbye to one of the peripheral characters who have been in this series forever...only 1 1/2 books left in the series. That makes me sad to think of saying goodbye to characters who have become familiar in the pleasant way of old friends. "
— Sandy, 10/7/2010" #19 and said goodbye to one of the peripheral characters who have been in this series forever...only 1 1/2 books left in the series. That makes me sad to think of saying goodbye to characters who have become familiar in the pleasant way of old friends. "
— Sandy, 10/7/2010" This is book 19 of 20. I am in the home stretch and will miss these guys when I am finished with the series. These are rich historical novels, not just for men. "
— Paul, 4/24/2010" This is book 19 of 20. I am in the home stretch and will miss these guys when I am finished with the series. These are rich historical novels, not just for men. "
— Paul, 4/24/2010" This book is like getting on a roller coaster...but without the slow windup at the beginning. Nonstop action and intrigue that is hard to put down and sends you looking for maps and history books to understand what is going on. "
— Morgan, 11/27/2009" This book is like getting on a roller coaster...but without the slow windup at the beginning. Nonstop action and intrigue that is hard to put down and sends you looking for maps and history books to understand what is going on. "
— Morgan, 11/27/2009Patrick 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.