Captain Jack Aubrey, R. N., ashore after a successful cruise, is persuaded by a casual acquaintance to make certain investments in the City. This innocent decision ensnares him in the London criminal underground and in government espionage-the province of his friend Stephen Maturin. Is Aubrey's humiliation and the threatened ruin of his career a deliberate plot? This dark tale is a fitting backdrop to the brilliant characterization and sparkling dialogue which O'Brian's readers have come to expect.
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"This book and the nest in the are transitional. Jack Aubrey has been set up for criminal manipulation on the stock market and dismissed from the navy. In the next book, "The Letter of Marque," he begins the process of his reinstatement by undertaking a secret mission as the captain of a private man-of -war."
— Joshua (5 out of 5 stars)
" This installment shines for its character development, with Jack coming into his own as a mature, adult man. For once, Stephen, although not Jack's inferior by any means, is overshadowed by Jack's strength of character. "
— ILRose, 10/12/2023" While I drive, I'm re-listening to all of Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey/Maturin series read by Patrick Tull (and you have to get Patrick Tull who knows the naval jargon and all the characters) - for me this was the best way to experience the books. "
— Carolyn, 2/18/2014" More time on shore than I'd have liked. Strong ending. "
— Jack, 2/12/2014" One of the best Aubrey/Maturin Novels. "
— Nolan, 2/9/2014" Such a portrait of the era. My goodness. Only I read the book, not the audio book! "
— Mackay, 2/6/2014" Another fine novel in the series. Transports its fans to an era lost and loved. A terrific niche read. "
— Kathy, 2/5/2014" A little sadder than many of the other installments, but beautifully written and delightful. "
— Kat, 2/3/2014" I have read one or maybe two of O'Brian's Aubrey/Maturin novels. However,I am not an avid fan. I picked up The Reverse of Medal because I was wanting some nautical fiction and this one was easy to hand. I did not finish it. It just isn't my style. I am a Hornblower kind of guy. O'Brian is just too tangential. Oh well, I guess I will just have to remain faithful to C.S. Forester in the future. "
— Jeffrey, 2/2/2014" Yet another fabulous Aubrey/Maturin book! Patrick O'Brian was truly a masterful author. I am looking forward to reading more in this series. "
— Beth, 1/29/2014" I like the historical fiction and the wooden ships details. "
— Mike, 1/18/2014" Another solid read in this excellent series. "
— David, 1/15/2014" Loved this one! O'Brian is always excellent, but this one stands out. Can't wait to read the next one in the series! "
— Dan, 1/10/2014" 1st Recorded Reading: August 2001 "
— Kathryn, 1/9/2014" PErhaps the best book in the series yet. "
— Jeff, 1/9/2014" This is a bridging novel. It takes our heroes from the Caribbean seas on the Surprise back to England, where Aubrey gets embroiled in a stock market scandal. As usual, the story is best when the boys are at sea, and tends to flounder a little on land--luckily, the action moves along swiftly. "
— Emily, 1/9/2014" Captain Jack Aubrey becomes embroiled in the murky circles of espionage more usually the province of ship's surgeon Stephen Maturin. Stephen's behind the scenes actions enable the situation to be rescued, but at a high price to Jack and his career. "
— JoTownhead, 12/27/2013" I defy anyone to keep his or her emotions in check during the pillory scene near the end of this extraordinary, complex, deeply humane novel. One of O'Brian's best -- and in light of the uniform excellence of the Aybrey/Maturin series, that's saying something. "
— Bencosgrove, 11/28/2013" Over half of this book is spent on land, which isn't my favorite, but it moves fast, and contains hugely important plot points that allow the series to continue forward in a refreshed way, and in that, it contains some very smart writing by O'Brian. "
— Andrea, 11/27/2013" Yet another fabulous Aubrey/Maturin book! Patrick O'Brian was truly a masterful author. I am looking forward to reading more in this series. "
— Beth, 10/3/2013" Yet another masterpiece. Two books ago in the series, I said that I had ran out of adjectives to describe this series. I'm not going to even try anymore. "
— Moses, 7/18/2013" Thanks to my Australian friends, I even understood the cricket match description. This volume has no cliches, no predictability, plenty of reasons to empathize and seethe. Great narration on all of these--so far I've listend to the audio versions of all. "
— Jane, 7/5/2013" This book built up to surprising and unexpected ending. Poor Jack. The pillory scene was particularly evocative. "
— Heath, 4/28/2013" I've thoroughly enjoyed every O'Brian book I've ever listened to...I only wish I could remember which ones they were. "
— Lisa, 4/21/2013" While I drive, I'm re-listening to all of Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey/Maturin series read by Patrick Tull (and you have to get Patrick Tull who knows the naval jargon and all the characters) - for me this was the best way to experience the books. "
— Carolyn, 4/4/2013" Not as much sailing as previous volumes, but still an interesting insight into the British judicial system of the early 1800's. "
— Mike, 3/29/2013" I'm not listening to the audio book, but that's the only one that comes up... "
— Sverre, 1/30/2013" Not as much sailing as previous volumes, but still an interesting insight into the British judicial system of the early 1800's. "
— Mike, 1/16/2013" This book was great, but painful given that it is clear from page 1 that nothing good will happen to our heroes... "
— Morgan, 12/9/2012" Relatively short on naval action, but long on the securities fraud trial and why everyone agrees that English justice is the best in the world. "
— Jonathan, 12/3/2012" 1st Recorded Reading: August 2001 "
— Kathryn, 7/5/2012" This book built up to surprising and unexpected ending. Poor Jack. The pillory scene was particularly evocative. "
— Heath, 6/20/2012" Another fine novel in the series. Transports its fans to an era lost and loved. A terrific niche read. "
— Kathy, 5/30/2012" Over half of this book is spent on land, which isn't my favorite, but it moves fast, and contains hugely important plot points that allow the series to continue forward in a refreshed way, and in that, it contains some very smart writing by O'Brian. "
— Andrea, 1/29/2012" This book was great, but painful given that it is clear from page 1 that nothing good will happen to our heroes... "
— Morgan, 1/4/2012" first book in a while that i cannot really put it down -- i had to finish otherwise i cannot really do anything else "
— Jie, 9/21/2011" Thank heavens for Dr Maturin, the intelligent half of the twosome. Don't get me wrong I like Aubrey too, but Maturin is the star of the series for me. "
— Deanne, 9/11/2011" Though based on historic events and no less well-written than other episodes of the Aubery/Maturin saga, it's all getting a bit repetitive.<br/><br/>Die-hards will enjoy it; others will wonder what the fuss is about. "
— Ron, 5/18/2011" Though based on historic events and no less well-written than other episodes of the Aubery/Maturin saga, it's all getting a bit repetitive.<br/><br/>Die-hards will enjoy it; others will wonder what the fuss is about. "
— Ron, 5/18/2011" These books get easier and easier to follow as I go through them. Partly because I think his writing style has improved and because I am getting used to the old-timey way everyone talks, etc. I enjoyed the legal trials in this one, as a barrister myself. "
— Aaron, 4/5/2011" These books get easier and easier to follow as I go through them. Partly because I think his writing style has improved and because I am getting used to the old-timey way everyone talks, etc. I enjoyed the legal trials in this one, as a barrister myself. "
— Aaron, 4/5/2011" Taut and excellent, as always. One if the more emotionally gripping installments in the series. "
— K.M., 1/5/2011" Taut and excellent, as always. One if the more emotionally gripping installments in the series. "
— K.M., 1/5/2011" It's almost pointless to separately review what's now one long, continuous series. Big changes for our heroes in this installment. Great fun as usual, even if the plot is maybe just a little too neat. "
— Matthias, 9/5/2010" It's almost pointless to separately review what's now one long, continuous series. Big changes for our heroes in this installment. Great fun as usual, even if the plot is maybe just a little too neat. "
— Matthias, 9/5/2010" Now I am just over the half way mark in this series of sea adventures. Our navy captain's career is in ruins; our ship's doctor and captain's friend comes to the rescue...can there be satisfactory resolution? I'll see when I read book #12. O'Brian is a terrific story teller! "
— Sandy, 8/29/2010" Now I am just over the half way mark in this series of sea adventures. Our navy captain's career is in ruins; our ship's doctor and captain's friend comes to the rescue...can there be satisfactory resolution? I'll see when I read book #12. O'Brian is a terrific story teller! "
— Sandy, 8/29/2010" I defy anyone to keep his or her emotions in check during the pillory scene near the end of this extraordinary, complex, deeply humane novel. One of O'Brian's best -- and in light of the uniform excellence of the Aybrey/Maturin series, that's saying something. "
— Bencosgrove, 8/20/2010" I defy anyone to keep his or her emotions in check during the pillory scene near the end of this extraordinary, complex, deeply humane novel. One of O'Brian's best -- and in light of the uniform excellence of the Aybrey/Maturin series, that's saying something. "
— Bencosgrove, 8/20/2010" I'm not listening to the audio book, but that's the only one that comes up... "
— Sverre, 7/11/2010" I'm not listening to the audio book, but that's the only one that comes up... "
— Sverre, 7/11/2010Patrick 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.