The Far Side of the World

This is when audiobooks are better. Just as hearing a talented English actor speak Shakespears archaic language makes its meaning much clearer, so too does Simon Vances absolutely perfect rendition of OBrians prose allow the meaning to be effortlessly understood. Therefore, to those who find reading OBrians version of 18th century language to be difficult, I urge you to listen to the audiobook.

Captain Aubrey of the British Royal Navy is sent to the South Seas to prevent the American frigate Norfolk from harassing English whalers. It's an excellent book all around, but there are moments of pure perfection in it. The prim parson Martin shows Maturin the letter he wants to woo his lady-love......more

Call me Ishmael! I think of this one as "Jack and Stephen Meet Moby Dick." They spend the first half of the book chasing an American frigate through whaling waters, gathering information from those they come across much the way Melville handled the bulk of his Great American Novel. Of course, that's......more

Read this book in 2008, and its the 10th wonderful volume of the awesome "Aubrey/Maturin" series. With the War against France of Napoleon Bonaparte still going on in AD 1812, Aubrey and Maturin re set on a mission towards Cape Horn. While arriving at Cape Horn, Aubrey and his crew willencounter a powe......more

If anything, more beautiful than the previous nine books in the series. O'Brian captures the hardship, joy, adventure, and primitive innovation of the sail-powered British navy of two centuries ago. This installment is slightly different in that the entire book takes place on-board Aubrey's ship, wi......more