Captain Jack Aubrey and Stephen Maturin set sail aboard the Diane for the South China Sea, shepherding a diplomatic mission to prevent links between Bonaparte and the Malay princes. If their mission fails, English merchant shipping in the area will be threatened. At the barbaric court of Pulo Prabang, the stage is set for a duel of intelligence agents, pitting the savage cunning of Stephen Maturin against the French envoys-who are already entrenched in the Sultan's favor.
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"This one, in my opinion, represents something of a lull in the series (really that started with The Letter of Marque, but that one had enough momentum from a few key events to keep it going to the end). There are a couple of very satisfying points, and the closing of a particular loop (having to do with "spies") keeps this one going, but the end almost jumps the shark-- almost."
— J.E. (4 out of 5 stars)
" O'Brian can be difficult to read but is wonderful to listen to when read by narrators like Patrick Tull. The language is sumptuous and period-perfect. Moreover, the author's mastery of details of the British Navy circa 1803 is unmatched. "
— Yovo, 10/23/2019" Only decent. Again, this one was too easy. "
— Aneel, 2/19/2014" Only decent. Again, this one was too easy. "
— Aneel, 2/19/2014" Previously read March 15, 2009. Aubrey is restored to the Navy List and begins the circumnavigation that will continue for several books. "
— Greg, 2/6/2014" Previously read March 15, 2009. Aubrey is restored to the Navy List and begins the circumnavigation that will continue for several books. "
— Greg, 2/6/2014" This one, in my opinion, represents something of a lull in the series (really that started with The Letter of Marque, but that one had enough momentum from a few key events to keep it going to the end). There are a couple of very satisfying points, and the closing of a particular loop (having to do with "spies") keeps this one going, but the end almost jumps the shark-- almost. "
— J.E., 2/2/2014" My favorite O'Brian books are the ones that read like Napoleonic John LeCarre novels, only funnier and with naval actions. This was one such book. I love it when Stephen gets to shine as an intelligence agent, and there was great satisfaction in seeing some villains getting no happiness or reward for their treachery. "
— Brackman1066, 1/29/2014" My favorite O'Brian books are the ones that read like Napoleonic John LeCarre novels, only funnier and with naval actions. This was one such book. I love it when Stephen gets to shine as an intelligence agent, and there was great satisfaction in seeing some villains getting no happiness or reward for their treachery. "
— Brackman1066, 1/29/2014" STarting to feel guilty about reading so many of these. But I just can't help myself "
— Tagg, 1/27/2014" STarting to feel guilty about reading so many of these. But I just can't help myself "
— Tagg, 1/27/2014" 1st Recorded Reading: August 2001 "
— Kathryn, 1/27/2014" This was as just good as the preceding twelve books in the series. Seafaring historical adventure fiction is better than most other genres. "
— Justin, 1/27/2014" 1st Recorded Reading: August 2001 "
— Kathryn, 1/27/2014" This was as just good as the preceding twelve books in the series. Seafaring historical adventure fiction is better than most other genres. "
— Justin, 1/27/2014" As always a good Patrick O'Brian story. "
— Blake, 1/11/2014" Was listening, but had to return the tapes.... "
— Alex, 1/11/2014" Was listening, but had to return the tapes.... "
— Alex, 1/11/2014" As always a good Patrick O'Brian story. "
— Blake, 1/11/2014" These books always end at the most exciting moments. "
— Colette, 1/1/2014" These books always end at the most exciting moments. "
— Colette, 1/1/2014" Captain Jack Aubrey gets back his heart's desire and once again escorts ship's surgeon Stephen Maturin on important diplomatic missions. Espionage activity is uppermost but Stephen still manages to pursue flora and fauna, and Jack's excelllent seamanship skills once again protect from peril at sea. "
— JoTownhead, 12/22/2013" Captain Jack Aubrey gets back his heart's desire and once again escorts ship's surgeon Stephen Maturin on important diplomatic missions. Espionage activity is uppermost but Stephen still manages to pursue flora and fauna, and Jack's excelllent seamanship skills once again protect from peril at sea. "
— JoTownhead, 12/22/2013" Think I'm burning out a bit on the series. May not finish them all. I miss the battles. I'm sure I wasn't working as hard as I should have been, but I could barely follow the French/English/envoy intrigue. "
— Tom, 12/16/2013" Think I'm burning out a bit on the series. May not finish them all. I miss the battles. I'm sure I wasn't working as hard as I should have been, but I could barely follow the French/English/envoy intrigue. "
— Tom, 12/16/2013" O'Brian's usual excellent writing, but this book is long on explication and short on action. Perhaps my least favorite in the series thus far, but the bar is high: for me this is an all-time outstanding series. "
— Stan, 11/12/2013" O'Brian's usual excellent writing, but this book is long on explication and short on action. Perhaps my least favorite in the series thus far, but the bar is high: for me this is an all-time outstanding series. "
— Stan, 11/12/2013" Ended with a cliff-hanger. Will start the Nutmeg of consolation in a moment. Can't wait to see what's going on next. "
— Tao, 11/10/2013" Ended with a cliff-hanger. Will start the Nutmeg of consolation in a moment. Can't wait to see what's going on next. "
— Tao, 11/10/2013" It just dawned on me (after reading the 13th book in this series) that the reason Patrick O'Brien is so good is that he assumes an intelligent reader. One of the best in the series, beloved by niche fans. "
— Kathy, 9/5/2013" It just dawned on me (after reading the 13th book in this series) that the reason Patrick O'Brien is so good is that he assumes an intelligent reader. One of the best in the series, beloved by niche fans. "
— Kathy, 9/5/2013" yeah, book 13 and it is still the best novel series i have touched. and i still don't understand any of the naval terms. "
— Chris, 1/13/2013" yeah, book 13 and it is still the best novel series i have touched. and i still don't understand any of the naval terms. "
— Chris, 1/13/2013" The thirteenth in the series seems a bit "flat", with relatively little happening until more than three-quarters of the way through. The closing action sets the scene nicely for book 14. "
— Stephen, 9/9/2012" The thirteenth in the series seems a bit "flat", with relatively little happening until more than three-quarters of the way through. The closing action sets the scene nicely for book 14. "
— Stephen, 9/9/2012" This is 13 of a 20 book series. Although they are getting alarmingly similar I still love reading about life on the ships. And the doctor is such a hoot. "
— Sandi, 8/30/2012" This is 13 of a 20 book series. Although they are getting alarmingly similar I still love reading about life on the ships. And the doctor is such a hoot. "
— Sandi, 8/30/2012" O'Brian is always a delight, but after the wild ride of the previous volume, this one felt like a bit of a breather..Mautarin's sojourn with the organutans is one of the most moving sequences of the series. "
— Richard, 7/28/2012" O'Brian is always a delight, but after the wild ride of the previous volume, this one felt like a bit of a breather..Mautarin's sojourn with the organutans is one of the most moving sequences of the series. "
— Richard, 7/28/2012" Another winner from Patrick O'Brian, but if you're up to the 13th in a series, you don't need to read any reviews. No battles at sea, which knocks it down to 4 stars. "
— Hal, 3/24/2012" Another winner from Patrick O'Brian, but if you're up to the 13th in a series, you don't need to read any reviews. No battles at sea, which knocks it down to 4 stars. "
— Hal, 3/24/2012" #13 in this series...and off to the South China Sea, negotiating a treaty and a shipwreck...on to #14 with just a whisper of regret because the series ends at #20 1/2. This has been my summer of Master and Commander. "
— Sandy, 3/1/2012" #13 in this series...and off to the South China Sea, negotiating a treaty and a shipwreck...on to #14 with just a whisper of regret because the series ends at #20 1/2. This has been my summer of Master and Commander. "
— Sandy, 3/1/2012" I was disappointed. Not enough action. Too much time on land in the orient or the middle east or wherever it was that they went. Not enough cannons. "
— Aaron, 4/22/2011" I was disappointed. Not enough action. Too much time on land in the orient or the middle east or wherever it was that they went. Not enough cannons. "
— Aaron, 4/22/2011" Absolutely fabulous, so good to be back in the company of Jack and Stephen. "
— Patricia, 3/14/2011" Absolutely fabulous, so good to be back in the company of Jack and Stephen. "
— Patricia, 3/14/2011" This is 13 of a 20 book series. Although they are getting alarmingly similar I still love reading about life on the ships. And the doctor is such a hoot. "
— Sandi, 2/26/2011" This is 13 of a 20 book series. Although they are getting alarmingly similar I still love reading about life on the ships. And the doctor is such a hoot. "
— Sandi, 2/26/2011" This is the first book in the series which does not have one naval battle. "
— Josh, 12/7/2010" This is the first book in the series which does not have one naval battle. "
— Josh, 12/7/2010" The whole series is a wonder of historical fiction. "
— Alain, 11/26/2010" The whole series is a wonder of historical fiction. "
— Alain, 11/26/2010" Ended with a cliff-hanger. Will start the Nutmeg of consolation in a moment. Can't wait to see what's going on next. "
— Tao, 11/2/2010" Ended with a cliff-hanger. Will start the Nutmeg of consolation in a moment. Can't wait to see what's going on next. "
— Tao, 11/2/2010" Rip roaring adventure in the South Seas in the late 19th century! What more could you ask for? Really a hoot and a cure for every day worries. "
— Pam, 10/16/2010" Rip roaring adventure in the South Seas in the late 19th century! What more could you ask for? Really a hoot and a cure for every day worries. "
— Pam, 10/16/2010" #13 in this series...and off to the South China Sea, negotiating a treaty and a shipwreck...on to #14 with just a whisper of regret because the series ends at #20 1/2. This has been my summer of Master and Commander. "
— Sandy, 9/3/2010" #13 in this series...and off to the South China Sea, negotiating a treaty and a shipwreck...on to #14 with just a whisper of regret because the series ends at #20 1/2. This has been my summer of Master and Commander. "
— Sandy, 9/3/2010" Only decent. Again, this one was too easy. "
— Aneel, 2/9/2010" Only decent. Again, this one was too easy. "
— Aneel, 2/9/2010Patrick 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.