[Onkel Neal]

Yes, and thanks. Click on the link below to go to the store, then type in "Master and commander" in the search box. Will take you right away to our Amazon affiliate. We get $1.09 for each book we sell on average and it really helps.

You would want to being with book #1, Master and Commander. The epic tale begins with young Jack Aubrey searching the shops for an epaullete to sew on his coat, he has just been made a Master and Commander, a rank which allows him to captain a ship in the Royal Navy. That rascal Napoleon is making noises that ensure Jack will have many busy years ahead. I wish I could go into more detail but you want to make these discoveries for yourself, trust me.

It's ironic and pathetic how I discovered O'Brian's Aubrey/Maturin novels. I am a voracious reader, it's my all-time favorite pastime and passion. I've read a lot of the classics, biographies, histories, and mainstream fiction over the last 35 years. Hugo (I visited his apt. in Paris), Dostoyevksi (I visited his apt. in St. Petersburg, Russia), Somerset Maugham, Thomas Hardy, Theodore Dreiser, et al. I thought I knew where all the treasures on the map were.

And then one evening about 4 years ago I caught a preview in a movie theater for a film with Russell Crowe called Master and Commander. Looked interesting... saw the movie when it came out and loved it. I thought, "Ok, this has to be based on a novel, let me check it out." Discovered it was based on a series of 20 novels! Hmmm...ok, I bought the first in the series, Master and Commander, and very soon learned that no matter how extensively one has read, there are certainly undiscovered gems out there.

I began reading each book nonstop until book 10...then it dawned on me--crikey! I'm halfway through, I got to slow the pace and make this last!! I tried to read only 1 book a month and read other stuff inbetween. But the salty allure of Aubrey's world was too strong... I finished the series a year ago.

I have loaned my original M&C book to several friends and my father. Every one has told me what a fantastic find O'Brian is. My father liked them so much, he read them non-stop and finished before me, even though I was at book 6 when he started. I warned him that he would soon finish the series at his pace--what did he plan to do to cope? His answer: "Heck, I'll just start over and read them again."

My buddy Richard like the series so much, he bought the hardcover set, and to show me his appreciation he bought another hardcover set and had it sent to me! Lol, so now I have two sets of the series, the paperback that I bought and the hardcover set my friend gave me.

It's not just about sailing ships and naval engagements, it's also about a powerful friendship, about discoveries and learning one's strengths, about espionage and intrigues, and mainly, just damn fine prose.

cheers
Neal