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Comments (19)

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Mar 04, 2023N13m4nd rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
This novel's rich historical detail vividly transports the reader to the world of a sailor of the British navy in the early 1800s. O'Brian presents the characters as people of their times, neither praising nor condemning their differing…
Feb 23, 2023JCLCharlesH rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
The first of a series of books featuring the Captain Jack Aubrey and his friend Dr. Maturin, this Napoleonic naval combat book explores the life of a new captain during a tumultuous era of maritime conflict. The book sets up the whole…
Sep 02, 2022ismillie rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
O’Brian wrote 21 books in the Jack Aubrey series about sailing during the Napoleonic wars. This was the first, which I finally consumed after many recommendations over the years. I nearly gave up around pg. 100 – far too much detail about…
Mar 18, 2022ga7175 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
The beginning of what is said to be “one novel in many parts”. I started reading books from this series, out of sequence, many years ago. I ended up reading the entire series through three separate times. Yes, this one wasn’t my absolute…
Dec 01, 2019aplbrandon rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
The movie is better.
Oct 16, 2018Hillsboro_ChrisK rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
Starts a bit slowly, but it picks up and by the end you'll be hooked for the whole 20-book series.
Jan 12, 2018sarahcharlotte999 rated this title 1 out of 5 stars
Just can't get through it. Aubrey has almost no sympathetic qualities. I hope that the French mock him, the Dutch fleece him, the Spanish thumbscrew him, and the Brits throw him in Newgate.
Jun 06, 2017RoyalJellyIII rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
The opening salvo of the Aubrey-Maturin epic, in which the surgeon introduces himself to the captain by driving an elbow into his ribs during a chamber-music recital. Fortunately for millions of readers, the two quickly make up. Then they…
May 08, 2017D_Kyle rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
The Aubrey-Maturin novels of Patrick O'Brian begin with Master and Commander (the series is loosely represented in the movie version starring Russell Crowe), and follow the exploits of Royal Navy captain, "Lucky" Jack Aubrey and his…
Dec 02, 2016InsJavert rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
An enjoyable very fun book. I would highly recommend this book (and possibly the series) anytime you are looking for something new to read. But let me qualify and get myself into tons of trouble with the female persuasion. This is a mans…
May 27, 2016Enna_W rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
This is a wonderfully warm book to read. Just get through the initial avalanche of naval terms and I promise it's a funny, fascinating, and touching story.
May 09, 2012zlboj rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
This is more like a time machine portal- an entry to a world that teems with vivid characters, exciting exploits and beauty. The entire series is over 6,000 pages long-but I was ready to begin again when I finished it the first time. A…
Nov 20, 2011wallyb rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
My friend John has been recommending this series to me for a few years - he's read it through 3 times now - and I finally had a chance to pick it up and read it, uninterrupted. O'Brian throws the reader into the Napoleonic era, and between…
hermlou
Apr 15, 2011hermlou rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
The British navy in the time of Lord Nelson was strictly run, with the captain having complete control. Jack Aubrey is promoted to captain and runs the ship Sophie. We learn about discipline, food, and the surgeon's ways of treating…
GJohnMarmet
Apr 09, 2011GJohnMarmet rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
The beginning of, without a doubt, the finest series of historical novels ever written, and arguably the finest series of novels ever. To classify these 20+ novels as sea going tales of the Napoleonic wars is to miss their humor, their…
Sep 29, 2010debwalker rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
For the Guys: This is the first title in a compelling series about life in the Royal Navy during the war with France, late 18th into early 19th century. Lots of guts and glory, colourful language, moments of tragegy and humour, and…
unreg_72049281
May 25, 2010unreg_72049281 rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
was turned in a great movie
unreg_71576492
Apr 08, 2010
Even those who aren't particularly interested in naval history (like myself) can enjoy this book. Great characters and very interesting history. At times I did feel it moved a bit slow but I've heard the next books in the series are much…
Mar 25, 2008
Film title: Master and Commander-the Far Side of the World