Master and Commander cover art

Master and Commander

Aubrey-Maturin Series, Book 1

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Master and Commander

By: Patrick O'Brian
Narrated by: Ric Jerrom
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About this listen

Master and Commander is the first of Patrick O’Brian’s now famous Aubrey-Maturin novels, regarded by many as the greatest series of historical novels ever written. It establishes the friendship between Captain Jack Aubrey RN and Stephen Maturin, who becomes his secretive ship’s surgeon and an intelligence agent. It displays the qualities which have put O’Brian far ahead of any of his competitors: his depiction of the detail of life aboard an early 19th century man-of-war, of weapons, food, conversation and ambience, of the landscape and of the sea. O’Brian’s portrayal of each of these is faultless and the sense of period throughout is acute. His power of characterisation is above all masterly. Ric Jerrom reads this classic sea story from Patrick O’Brien.

©2014 Audible, Inc.; 1970 The Estate of the late Patrick O’Brien CBE Action & Adventure Espionage Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Medical Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Spies & Politics Thriller & Suspense War & Military
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I adore these books - such detail and characterisation. The first book in the Aubrey Maturing series discusses how they first met, and the development of their esteem for each other. The language is formal and precise and very well read by the narrator. An absolute pleasure! Huzzah!

A masterful job of a marvellous book

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Very hard to follow the story, lacked clarity with respects location within the story line. Couldn’t work out if I was in a dining room one moment or in a fire fight on a warship. Highly technical with respects to ships rigging, sale names etc etc.
Avid sail ship connoisseurs may love this book. Not for me.

Ahoy where??

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The real master is Patrick O'Brian and his ability to transport you back to the early 19th century. Don't know anything about Napoleonic naval warfare? He has you covered!!

The original and the best!!!

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I enjoyed every aspect of this book, though some of the sailing details were beyond me. I had read the book previously and listening to it confirmed my opinion of its quality.

Excellent in detail and drama

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Having read all the books in the series three times and this is the second listening I consider that this first book is amongst the best. It is such a pity that no one has written a similar account of the Navy's actions of this period as O'Brian.

The best of the series

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The vivid depth of detail in his characters, history, geography and period life is (for me) unsurpassed.

Love these PO’b books.

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What about Ric Jerrom’s performance did you like?

Ric Jerome's performance is very characterful, each character carefully distinguished in accent, tone and attitude. Brilliant.

Any additional comments?

One of my favorite series - having read the series I was hesitant about listening to it, but it is a great joy.

Escape to the sea

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Was a good listen had me looking for more by the end of the book

Story line

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As with all series, some stories are better than others, but if you are into Jack and Stephen you won't really care, you can't skip a book because it isn't quite up to the others. Having read them all many years ago I am now listening on the drive to work, which means I sometimes have to sit in the car waiting for an especially exciting segment to come to a climax. It is a good thing I am in the country because the excitement of the sea battles can be a little distracting. The wonderful descriptions of the life at sea, and the brief periods on land are thoroughly researched. The quieter interludes provided by the philosophical musings of Stephen would not be to everyone taste, but provide a more intellectual stimulation in contrast to the rest.They are a very humane pair, particularly Jack, who knocks an incompetent footpad on the head, then not knowing what to do about the unconscious body on land, carries him home and gives him to Stephen to nurse back to health, then, feeling a vague responsibility for him, they give him a job. I am very happy in the knowledge that I have many more of them to listen to.

The whole series is excellent

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Even better than I had hoped. Very talented Author helped by a great voice actor.

Brilliant

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