Patrick O'Brian - Master and Commander

[TheJimi]

Any fans on here?

I'm about to give it a bash

[tertius]

Yes, absolutely fabulous. Unmatched in its genre.

[anonymous-user]

Excellent story telling and excellent writing. But be aware that the first few pages of every book in the series (at least this is how I remember it) give you a primer on ships, wind and ranks, none of which is needed if you have been paying attention.

[Baron Greenback]

Thoughly enjoyed the series, glad I live in the in the naughties and not 1800, especially dentistry!

[Paul Dishman]

Brilliant books, need a bit of perserverance to get into at first

[jmorgan]

Superb books. All mine on audio books and waiting for some more to catch up on audible. But they ain't half losing your self in them.

Different to hHornblower of course, different styles.


Edit. Am I right I thinking cochrane was an inspiration for both authors?

Edited by jmorgan on Wednesday 15th April 20:10

[CuckooInMyNest]

jmorgan said:

Edit. Am I right I thinking cochrane was an inspiration for both authors?

Don't know about Hornblower but I believe Jack Aubrey was based on Thomas Cochrane.

A good example of fact being stranger than fiction.

Cracking book about Cochrane here:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cochrane-Britannias-CASSEL...

[Pixel Pusher]

Yep, loved them. Lucky enough to read the entire series back to back.

Also then did the entire Sharpe series.

Fantastic stuff.

[cardigankid]

Superb, enjoyed it so much I wrote to Patrick O'Brien who kindly signed a dedication for me and sent it back. Sadly he passed away not long after that.

The books just get better and better as you go through the series.

[Skywalker]

They are brilliant. Actually accurate eough to be informative and 'right ripping' adventures as well.

[Nom de ploom]

Paul Dishman said:

Brilliant books, need a bit of perserverance to get into at first

thanks for his in particular as I gave up on book one after about 3 or 4 chapters....

i lost count of the explicit details around rank, appearance, naval history etc etc...

shall I give it another go?

[Paul Dishman]

Nom de ploom said:

Paul Dishman said:

Brilliant books, need a bit of perserverance to get into at first

thanks for his in particular as I gave up on book one after about 3 or 4 chapters....

i lost count of the explicit details around rank, appearance, naval history etc etc...

shall I give it another go?

Yes, it's worth it

[cardigankid]

CuckooInMyNest said:

Don't know about Hornblower but I believe Jack Aubrey was based on Thomas Cochrane.

A good example of fact being stranger than fiction.

Cracking book about Cochrane here:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cochrane-Britannias-CASSEL...

I think that Hornblower was conceived as a young protege of Nelson - certainly very much in the Nelson mould without being quite as eccentric. The rest, from Ramage to Aubrey, were based on Hornblower, with variations. They all used some of Cochrane's adventures - and you would be right to say that HMS Surprise was based on HMS Speedy. However, all of these heroes are died in the wool natural sea captains and patriots. Cochrane, in the great Scottish tradition, was an, er, pirate.

[cardigankid]

Nom de ploom said:

thanks for his in particular as I gave up on book one after about 3 or 4 chapters....

i lost count of the explicit details around rank, appearance, naval history etc etc...

shall I give it another go?

Definitely. His technique is to immerse you in the detail to the point that you think that you are one of the deckhands. its not a fashionable approach, but the way to go is to stick with it.

[DuncanM]

tertius said:

Yes, absolutely fabulous. Unmatched in its genre.

This!

My favourite books of all time, can't recommend highly enough

[DuncanM]

It's the humour I love, I always forget how bloody funny they are until a re-read

[TheHangingJudge]

cardigankid said:

Nom de ploom said:

thanks for his in particular as I gave up on book one after about 3 or 4 chapters....

i lost count of the explicit details around rank, appearance, naval history etc etc...

shall I give it another go?

Definitely. His technique is to immerse you in the detail to the point that you think that you are one of the deckhands. its not a fashionable approach, but the way to go is to stick with it.

Seconded. Let it wash over you, if anything really needs to be understood the doctor will be along to ask the question and you'll get an explanation.

[rupert the dog]

Magnificent series of books. I've read and reread them several times, and will undoubtedly go back to them again. Totally recommended.

[williredale]

rupert the dog said:

Magnificent series of books. I've read and reread them several times, and will undoubtedly go back to them again. Totally recommended.

Me too. I've read the series twice and will do so again at some point.

[JeremyH5]

Only twice?! I've read the whole lot six times and still find nuances that had passed me by in earlier read through's. I think I'll leave it a year before I start again. Yes, I am very keen on the writing style and the stories. Perfection.
Be aware that O'Brian spent years researching actual British naval actions and using the story lines from them whilst placing his characters in the story.

I think you'll find that it was Aubrey's first command HMS Sophie that was based on Cochrane's HMS Speedy not Surprise.