Jack Aubrey and Stephen Maturin are ordered home to bring news of their latest victory. But Maturin is a marked man for the havoc he caused to the French intelligence network in the New World and the British packet carrying them is shadowed by two American privateers. The chase that follows through the fogs and shallows of the Grand Banks is as tense, and as unexpected in its culmination of this seventh Aubrey/Maturin adventure, as anything Patrick O'Brian has ever written. "Vividly detailed 19th-century settings and dramatic tension punctuated with flashes of wry humor make O'Brian's nautical adventure a splendid treat." (Publishers Weekly)
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"O'Brian never fails. All the humor, adventure, suspense and historical detail of the previous Aubrey/Maturin novels. And finally some loose ends are settled, or so we are led to believe. For pure escapism history buffs can do no better than this master novelist. "
— Ian (5 out of 5 stars)
" Another fine Aubrey-Maturin entry. "
— Jack, 2/18/2014" Fun. O'Brian is still finding ways to keep it fresh. "
— Aneel, 2/5/2014" Another great Aubrey/Maturin novel. Some parts dragged a bit, but there was plenty of sea battle action and naval companionship to liven my days! "
— Kiri, 1/24/2014" More. What could I say? Putty in the man's hands. "
— Mackay, 1/22/2014" Interesting that they are in America. "
— Darlene, 1/17/2014" From the author of Master and Commander. Great read. "
— Beth, 1/15/2014" I love Patrick O'Brian, 'nuff said... "
— Chris, 1/2/2014" Very good read. All I can say re: the plot is... it's about time! You'll see, in the last 25 pages or so ;-) "
— Paul-Dad-TheAged, 12/31/2013" Like all of the Aubrey/Maturin books, this was just a ripping good tale. O'Brian lets you smell the powder, hear the tearing canvas and feel the salt spray. And his characters and plots are not only believable but very much alive. "
— Dan, 12/27/2013" A good addition to the continuing story of Jack A. and Stephen M. The ending was a bit of a surprise for me, which is always a plus. "
— Tlnorz, 12/23/2013" I took it as a light holiday read and that is exactly what it is. Thoroughly enjoyable. "
— David, 12/12/2013" Just a few chapters in right now, but if Diana Villiers doesn't marry Stephen this time then I hope she dies a violent death... "
— Towens23, 12/1/2013" On to the "Ionian Mission." "
— Joshua, 11/29/2013" Finally Dr Maturin displays his abilities in this last three books resolving several story lines with his work in espionage. He even gets Diana to finally marry him. "
— Nicole, 9/22/2013" Good. I have read it before. "
— Alec, 9/19/2013" 1st Recorded Reading: August 2001 "
— Kathryn, 9/1/2013" Another solid, charming entry in the series, flocked with high-seas adventure and O'Brian's signature straight-faced humor. "
— K.M., 7/26/2013" Another excellent chapter in what has basically become, by this point, one enormously long book. A delightful ending. "
— Matthias, 11/12/2012" Boat Book #7. Yay for the fewer boat battles! Stephen's cool. But I still dislike Diana. "
— Drianne, 5/5/2012" Patrick O'Brian's seventh masterpiece. I won't waste much time reviewing it, because I'm busy reading the eighth. Highly recommended. "
— Moses, 8/13/2011" Jack returns home and Stephen achieves success romantically. "
— Todd, 6/24/2011" Another in O'Brian's series of Aubrey-Maturin historical novels, set in the British navy during the Napoleonic era. Thoroughly enjoyable and meticulously researched as always. "
— Eric, 5/22/2011" I have loved this entire series so far, but The Surgeon's Mate was one of O'Brian's better ones. The plot is a lot of fun, as always, but he also explores some interesting insights into human nature that I found fascinating. "
— Tagg, 1/6/2011" This series continues to thrill... for an erstwhile sailor like myself, and lover of the Great Ships, this stuff is like eye and brain candy. "
— Rob, 12/26/2010" I love Patrick O'Brian, 'nuff said... "
— Chris, 12/9/2010" Good. It was more of the same from the series, but I've enjoyed them all, so that's not a bad thing. There was some action at the end of this one that actually made me a little anxious. So that was good. "
— Motorcycle, 9/10/2010" In this book our heroes are held captive by the French...but there is hope: Book #8! What a delightful serial experience; at the end of one book, you look forward to the next! "
— Sandy, 7/19/2010" I took it as a light holiday read and that is exactly what it is. Thoroughly enjoyable. "
— David, 6/25/2010" One of the best books in the series ... only 4 stars because of extensive typos in the Norton hardcover version I am reading now. "
— doug, 5/13/2010Patrick 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.
Tim Pigott-Smith is an award-winning English actor of film, television, and stage and an audiobook narrator. He has narrated several notable television documentaries, including Crimes That Shook the World. He has won two AudioFile Earphones Awards, for The Honorary Consul by Graham Greene and The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyesvky. He was a three-time finalist for the 2006 Audie Award for Best Original Work for the three-part Eyewitness series by Joanna Burke. His film career includes roles in major motion pictures, including V for Vendetta, Quantum of Solace, The Remains of the Day, Gangs of New York, and more. His numerous television credits include Downton Abbey, The Jewel in the Crown, and North and South. He is also a noted radio actor, appearing in many productions on BBC Radio 4, and a regular stage actor in Shakespearean and Greek roles.