Master and Commander
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4.3 • 447 Ratings
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- $10.99
Publisher Description
The classic first novel of the epic Aubrey/Maturin series, widely considered “the best historical novels ever written” (Richard Snow, New York Times).
Ardent, gregarious British naval officer Jack Aubrey is elated to be given his first appointment as commander: the fourteen-gun ship HMS Sophie. Meanwhile—after a heated first encounter that nearly comes to a duel—Aubrey and a brilliant but down-on-his-luck physician, Stephen Maturin, strike up an unlikely rapport. On a whim, Aubrey invites Maturin to join his crew as the Sophie’s surgeon. And so begins the legendary friendship that anchors this beloved saga set against the thrilling backdrop of the Napoleonic Wars.
Through every ensuing adventure on which Aubrey and Maturin embark, from the witty parley of their lovers and enemies to the roar of broadsides as great ships close in battle around them, O’Brian “provides endlessly varying shocks and surprises—comic, grim, farcical and tragic.… [A] whole, solidly living world for the imagination to inhabit” (A. S. Byatt).
Customer Reviews
One of the best writers in the English language
The Aubrey Maturin series is one of the great accomplishments in English letters. O'Brian brings together a mastery of the era and of language into an epic exploration of friendship and loyalty. I am thrilled to see them finally in the iBook store.
One warning. These can be incredibly addictive. Once you begin to read them, you won't want to stop. There are three authors I will read again and again: O'Brian, Austen, and Terry Pratchett. O'Brian is the better writer.
Simply the best historic naval fiction
Without question, the best of its kind. Beware, this is highly addictive!
Disappointment at the price
I am a huge fan of the series, and I go back and re-read them every few years- they never get old. I would love to also have the books in digital form, but cannot bring myself to pay full price all over again for the convenience.
Please issue the full set of books at a discounted price! The books are available in paper form as a set, why not the electronic versions? You might tempt those of us who already own the paper copies.