Patrick O'Brian is one of the best authors of the 20th century.
His most famous novels are the Aubrey-Maturin (aka Master and Commander) series. Less well known is that O'Brian authored a variety of works including novels, short stories, critically acclaimed biographies and translations of French literature.
Photo Credit: WW Norton
Three reasons to read Patrick O'Brian
2. His attention to detail and character development are incredible.
3. A captivating and challenging writing style that draws you into the story and doesn't let you go.
Patrick O'Brian at a Glance
'Patrick OBrian, CBE (12 December 1914 - 2 January 2000; born as Richard Patrick Russ') was an English novelist and translator, best known for his Aubrey?Maturin series'' of novels set in the Royal Navy during the Napoleonic Wars and centered on the friendship of English Naval Captain Jack Aubrey and the Irish-Catalan physician Stephen Maturin. The 20-novel series is known for its well-researched and highly detailed portrayal of early 19th century life, as well as its authentic and evocative language. A partially-finished twenty-first novel in the series was published posthumously containing facing pages of handwriting and typescript.
O'Brian's First Book
Caesar: The Life Story of a Panda-Leopard
Amazon Price: $11.00 (as of 10/06/2008)
O'Brian The Biographer
Picasso
O'Brian knew Pablo Picasso personally and wrote what some reviewers consider the best biography of him.
Amazon Price: (as of 10/06/2008)
Joseph Banks: A Life
Sir Joseph Banks was an 18th century British naturalist who explored the globe with Captain Cook and served as president of the Royal Society.
Amazon Price: $12.24 (as of 10/06/2008)
Interviews with Patrick O'Brian
- The NY Times - 1993
- An interview by Francis Clines of the NY Times following the release of the 16th Aubrey-Maturin book, The Wine-Dark Sea.
- Audio of NPR Interview - 1995
- The article itself is about the 2003 release of the movie, Master and Commander, but there is a link at the top for an NPR interview with O'Brian from 1995.
- Recollections of America
- Technically not an interview, O'Brian documented some of his reflections on his trip to the United States in 1993 for a publicity tour. This is followed by answers to a few reader questions.
- BookPage Interview
- A brief Q&A with the author.
- Barnes & Noble - 1999
- A brief bio followed by a Q&A with O'Brian.
Early Adventures at Sea
Predecessors to the Aubrey-Maturin series...
The Golden Ocean
Amazon Price: (as of 10/06/2008)
The Master and Commander Series
aka the Aubrey-Maturin series
Master and Commander
This first novel of the series introduces Aubrey and Maturin to each other and is a thrilling read. Plenty of action at sea and detail about life aboard ship.
Amazon Price: $11.16 (as of 10/06/2008)
The Complete Aubrey/Maturin Novels
After you read the first one, you'll want to read the whole series. This hardcover set is a great value.
Amazon Price: $110.25 (as of 10/06/2008)
Men-Of-War: Life in Nelson's Navy
Not part of the series, O'Brian wrote this non-fiction book as a reference to provide more detailed descriptions of daily life at sea in Nelson's Navy.
Amazon Price: $13.80 (as of 10/06/2008)
Other O'Brian Novels
Hussein: An Entertainment
Amazon Price: $13.00 (as of 10/06/2008)
The Road to Samarcand: An Adventure
Amazon Price: $17.13 (as of 10/06/2008)
Richard Temple: A Novel
Amazon Price: $9.56 (as of 10/06/2008)
Testimonies
Amazon Price: (as of 10/06/2008)
The Catalans: A Novel
Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 10/06/2008)
How many Patrick O'Brian books have you read?
O'Brian Short Stories
Collected Short Stories
Amazon Price: (as of 10/06/2008)
Patrick O'Brian: Critical Essays and a Bibliography
Amazon Price: (as of 10/06/2008)
O'Brian Tribute Sites
- In Memoriam by Geoff Hunt
- A tribute to O'Brian by Geoff Hunt who created the cover art for each of the Aubrey-Maturin books.
- The Patrick O'Brian Compendium
- A site honoring the author complete with glossaries, additional reference links and a comparison of the 2 most popular O'Brian biographies.
- Gunroom Guide to Patrick O'Brian
- A very comprehensive guide to O'Brian web resources.
- WikiPOBia
- A collaborative project to provide "information and analysis intended to increase readers' understanding, appreciation, and enjoyment of O'Brian's work and world."
Books Translated by Patrick O'Brian
The Coming of Age
Amazon Price: $11.90 (as of 10/06/2008)
De Gaulle: The Rebel 1890-1944 (Norton Paperback)
Amazon Price: $29.95 (as of 10/06/2008)
Memoirs; translated from the French by Patrick O'Brian
by Clara Malraux
Amazon Price: (as of 10/06/2008)
Biographies of Patrick O'Brian
Patrick O'Brian : A Life
An interesting biography of Patrick O'Brian that relates elements of O'Brian's life to his Aubrey and Maturin characters and their stories.
Amazon Price: (as of 10/06/2008)
Patrick O'Brian: The Making of the Novelist, 1914-1949
Written by O'Brian's stepson, this biography covers the first half of O'Brian's life before he began writing the Aubrey-Maturin series.
Amazon Price: $23.36 (as of 10/06/2008)
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