Master and Commander: The Aubrey-Maturin Series by Patrick O'Brian
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Ranked #98 in Books, #6,963 overall
Master and Commander
"The best historical novels ever written." - Richard Snow, The New York Times
The "Master and Commander" series of books written by Patrick O'Brian is full of action, adventure, intrigue and historical insight. Set during the early 19th century, these books are a joy to read for any fan of historical fiction, sailing, naval history or just great literature.
O'Brian's storytelling and character development abilities are incredible. I recently finished reading last book of the series and recommend that you read the series in order (see list below) to maintain plot continuity and get the most enjoyment from each novel.
This series of novels is commonly referred to as the "Aubrey-Maturin" series since it is centered on the close relationship and adventures of the two main characters, Captain Jack Aubrey and naturalist/intelligence agent Dr. Stephen Maturin. Some fans also refer to it as the "Aubreyad".
Contents at a Glance
Official Websites
- About Patrick O'Brian
- A tribute to the author by his publisher, W.W. Norton & Company.
- The World of Patrick O'Brian
- Information about the series as well as other books by Patrick O'Brian.
- Master and Commander - The Novel
- Publisher's website for the 1st book of the series.
The Books
The series in order of publication.
Master and Commander
Introduces the main characters to the reader and each other. A lot of battle action and detail about life on board ship. A great read, even if you don't intend to read the series.
Amazon Price: $10.04 (as of 12/17/2009) 
Post Captain (Vol. Book 2) (Aubrey/Maturin Novels)
The 1st half started a little slow for me (all on land), but it sets up several pieces for storylines in the following books and the action picked up in the 2nd half.
Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 12/17/2009)
H. M. S. Surprise (Vol. Book 3) (Aubrey/Maturin Novels)
Aubrey takes his 1st command of the Surprise and sails to the East Indies and India. Lots of action when the Surprise meets up with the British China fleet then the French squadron sent to capture them.
Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 12/17/2009)
The Mauritius Command
Another exciting read as Aubrey is given command of a squadron to take the island of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean from the French.
Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 12/17/2009)
Desolation Island (The Aubrey/Maturin Novels, Book 5)
A thrilling encounter with a larger enemy warship drives Aubrey and his crew into the lower forties of the Atlantic.
Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 12/17/2009)
Books 6-10
The Fortune of War (Vol. Book 6) (Aubrey/Maturin Novels)
This book finds Aubrey and Maturin returning to England as the War of 1812 begins. They are witness to the dramatic real life battle between HMS Java and USS Constitution in the South Atlantic and the battle between HMS Shannon and USS Chesapeake off of Boston.
Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 12/17/2009)
The Surgeon's Mate (Vol. Book 7) (Aubrey/Maturin Novels)
After an exciting chase across the North Atlantic, Aubrey and Maturin are ordered to the Baltic Sea on a challenging mission.
Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 12/17/2009)
The Ionian Mission (Vol. Book 8) (Aubrey/Maturin Novels)
Aubrey and Maturin return to the Mediterranean to join the Toulon blockade and conduct diplomatic missions with the Turks of the Ionian islands.
Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 12/17/2009)
Treason's Harbour (Vol. Book 9) (Aubrey/Maturin Novels)
As the title suggests, plenty of espionage and adventure.
Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 12/17/2009)
The Far Side of the World (Reprint) (Vol. Book 10) (Aubrey/Maturin Novels)
The one the movie was based off of. Great story and much more different from the movie than I expected.
Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 12/17/2009)
Books 11-15
The Reverse of the Medal
Starts with the voyage back from the far side of the world and new problems arise for Aubrey and Maturin upon their return to England.
Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 12/17/2009)
The Letter of Marque
Aubrey begins to rebound from his difficulties in the previous book and takes on a new role.
Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 12/17/2009)
The Thirteen-Gun Salute
Aubrey and Maturin are sent to the East Indies to ensure the success of an important diplomatic mission.
Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 12/17/2009)
The Nutmeg of Consolation (Vol. Book 14) (Aubrey/Maturin Novels)
Aubrey takes command of a new ship and sails for the penal colony of New South Wales.
Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 12/17/2009)
The Truelove (Vol. Book 15) (Aubrey/Maturin Novels)
Titled "Clarissa Oakes" outside of the US. Discontent and jealousy emerge in the gunroom when one of the midshipmen stows away a female convict from New South Wales.
Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 12/17/2009)
Books 16-20
The Wine-Dark Sea (Vol. Book 16) (Aubrey/Maturin Novels)
Plenty of excitement in this one as Maturin finally gets to conduct his mission in South America and the Surprise battles both an enemy and the elements while rounding Cape Horn.
Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 12/17/2009)
The Commodore (Vol. Book 17) (Aubrey/Maturin Novels)
Aubrey takes command of a squadron assigned to disrupt the slave trade and intercept a French task force on its way to invade Ireland.
Amazon Price: $10.04 (as of 12/17/2009)
The Yellow Admiral (Vol. Book 18) (Aubrey/Maturin Novels)
Aubrey is stuck on the Brest blockade squadron serving under an admiral intent on ruining his career.
Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 12/17/2009)
The Hundred Days (Vol. Book 19) (Aubrey/Maturin Novels)
Aubrey and Maturin are on a mission to disrupt Napoleon's plans in the Mediterranean.
Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 12/17/2009)
Blue at the Mizzen
The Surprise attempts to sail around the Horn on its way to support the Chilean independence effort.
Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 12/17/2009)
Collector's Items
The Complete Aubrey/Maturin Novels
The complete set in hardcover. A great value if you intend to read the entire series or want a set that you can pass down through the generations.
Amazon Price: $126.00 (as of 12/17/2009)
21: The Final Unfinished Voyage of Jack Aubrey (Aubrey/Maturin Series)
This book presents the unfinished handwritten and typed manuscripts that O'Brian had written for the 21st book before his death.
Amazon Price: $14.93 (as of 12/17/2009)
About the Author
The Patrick O'Brian web ring and other resources.
Patrick O'Brian [ Join Now | Ring Hub | Random | << Prev | Next >> ]Patrick O'Brian was born Richard Patrick Russ and died in January 2000 at the age of 85. During his lifetime he was an ambulance driver, a hunter, a World War II intelligence analyst, a winemaker, a translator of books and an author.
O'Brian authored several novels and numerous short stories prior to writing the Aubrey-Maturin series. He also won acclaim for his biography, Picasso. Given the quality and number of Aubrey-Maturin books, it is amazing to learn that O'Brian didn't begin writing the series until he was in his 50s.
The Patrick O'Brian Compendium
A site honoring the author and full of additional reference links.
Patrick O'Brian Visits the HMS Rose
As part of the release of The Commodore, Patrick O'Brian visited the HMS Rose in New York City in 1995. This ship would later play the role of Jack Aubrey's HMS Surprise in the 2003 movie, "Master and Commander - The Far Side of the World".
Patrick O'Brian : A Life
An interesting biography of Patrick O'Brian that effectively relates elements of O'Brian's life to his Aubrey and Maturin characters and their stories. I am nearly finished reading it, but have to delay reading the last 60 pages since they include plot details from the books I haven't read yet.
Amazon Price: (as of 12/17/2009)
Patrick O'Brian: The Making of the Novelist, 1914-1949
This biography is written by O'Brian's stepson and covers the first half of O'Brian's life before he began writing the Aubrey-Maturin series.
Amazon Price: $21.86 (as of 12/17/2009)
Companion Books
For "Master and Commander" fans...
A Sea of Words, Third Edition: A Lexicon and Companion to the Complete Seafaring Tales of Patrick O'Brian
A guide to the nautical terms and other references of the time used in the books.
Amazon Price: $11.56 (as of 12/17/2009)
Patrick O'Brian's Navy
A very educational primer on the history, ships, wars, leaders and traditions of the Royal Navy during Jack Aubrey's lifetime.
Amazon Price: $21.60 (as of 12/17/2009)
Man-Of-War : Stephen Biesty's Cross-Sections
Cut-away views and descriptions of Lord Admiral Nelson's flagship, the HMS Victory.
Amazon Price: (as of 12/17/2009)
Harbors and High Seas, 3rd Edition : An Atlas and Geographical Guide to the Complete Aubrey-Maturin Novels of Patrick O'Brian, Third Edition
Provides background info along with maps and charts organized for each of the Aubrey-Maturin books.
Amazon Price: $14.96 (as of 12/17/2009)
Master and Commander Cover Art Posters
by Geoff Hunt
Master and Commander
The Mauritius Command
The Thirteen Gun Salute
Experience The Life Of Jack Aubrey
- Tour A Tall Ship
- A fun way to learn more about life aboard ship and increase your enjoyment of these books is to tour a ship of the era. This site is a directory of tall ships around the world that you can tour. It includes info on touring the HMS Rose (which played the role of HMS Surprise in the movie), the USS Constitution and Admiral Nelson's flagship, HMS Victory.
- Sail A Tall Ship
- For the adventurous, this site highlights tall ships around the world that you can sail on as a trainee crew member. Most are also available for charter cruises.
See The Movie
Master and Commander - The Far Side of the World
Master and Commander - The Far Side of the World (Widescreen Collector's Edition)
I have this version. Great extra feature on the making of the movie.
Amazon Price: $29.49 (as of 12/17/2009)
Log Book
Are you a fan of the Master and Commander series or interested in reading it? Please leave your entry in the log...
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Reply
- Tiflopondikas Tiflopondikas Dec 14, 2008 @ 3:12 pm
- I must be one of the original addicts - I read them all, pretty much as they were published. I am also a fan of Thomas Cochrane, Earl of Dundonald, on whose exploits many of Aubrey's are based. (Likewise Hornblower, of course). Tom Muir
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Reply
- BFuniv.com BFuniv.com May 10, 2008 @ 2:58 pm
- Exciting and informative books so far, I still have several to read.
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Reply
- Crystal_Booth Crystal_Booth Apr 20, 2007 @ 7:59 pm
- Wonderful lens here! Thanks for joining the Favorite Authors and Novels Group. Hope to see you in the members area! ~ Crystal
by Mac33
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