Blue at the Mizzen

Name: Blue at the Mizzen
Brand: Recorded Books
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.25 (4 reviews)
Author: Patrick O'Brian
ISBN: 9781440781889

Author: Patrick O'Brian

Series: Aubrey/Maturin #20

Narrator: Patrick Tull

Unabridged: 9 hr 36 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Recorded Books

Published: 12/25/2003

Categories: Fiction, Historical Fiction

Synopsis

With his swashbuckling adventures, best-selling novelist Patrick O'Brian transports you to the high seas of old where privateers lurk in the mist, and great ships fight to control the waterways. Blue at the Mizzen hoists the excitement to new heights as British frigate commander Jack Aubrey stakes everything on a desperate raid against the mighty Spanish fleet. Ever since Napoleon was defeated at Waterloo, Captain Aubrey's prospects in the new peacetime navy have looked dim. Even worse, his frigate Surprise was badly damaged in a nighttime collision. While Aubrey waits for repairs, ship's doctor Stephen Maturin brings him intriguing information about the New World. Soon Aubrey is leading a bold expedition that will determine the fate of a rising South American nation - and his own. Critically-acclaimed author Patrick O'Brian blends authentic period atmosphere, rich humor, and elegant language in each of his seafaring yarns. You can almost hear the thunder of the waves and smell the salty sea air as you listen to Patrick Tull's dramatic performance.

About Patrick O'Brian

Patrick 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.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Clemens on December 21, 2021

Read this book in 2009, and its the 20th wonderful volume of the great "Aubrey/ Maturin" series. This tale starts off in AD 1815, after the Battle of Waterloo, and thus peace in Europe, and because of that peace Aubrey will see that many of his crew deserts him and their ship the "Surprise". On their......more

Goodreads review by Phillip on August 05, 2024

What I like about this book is how a deserving commander comes out on top in the end despite facing the dangers of the sea and the politics behind the scenes. Jack Aubrey and Stephen Maturin are now involved in the Chilian war of independence and take part openly as British naval officers. The Briti......more

Goodreads review by Brackman1066 on October 08, 2011

I can't believe it's over. I know, it's a little ungrateful to complain about the end of a 20-book series, but I'm still not ready. I also know that it's probably gotten tedious, my always giving 5 stars to the Patrick O'Brian books, but you know what? They're just better than most other books. I co......more

Goodreads review by David on November 04, 2015

This is another excellent historical novel by Patrick O'Brian, in the Jack Aubrey/Stephen Maturin series. In this story, Aubrey starts to feel passed over, as other, less experienced captains are promoted to the rank of admiral. Meanwhile, naturalist and surgeon Maturin falls in love with a beautifu......more