Master and Commander cover art

Master and Commander

Aubrey-Maturin Series, Book 1

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Master and Commander

By: Patrick O'Brian
Narrated by: Ric Jerrom
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About this listen

Master and Commander is the first of Patrick O’Brian’s now famous Aubrey-Maturin novels, regarded by many as the greatest series of historical novels ever written. It establishes the friendship between Captain Jack Aubrey RN and Stephen Maturin, who becomes his secretive ship’s surgeon and an intelligence agent. It displays the qualities which have put O’Brian far ahead of any of his competitors: his depiction of the detail of life aboard an early 19th century man-of-war, of weapons, food, conversation and ambience, of the landscape and of the sea. O’Brian’s portrayal of each of these is faultless and the sense of period throughout is acute. His power of characterisation is above all masterly. Ric Jerrom reads this classic sea story from Patrick O’Brien.

©2014 Audible, Inc.; 1970 The Estate of the late Patrick O’Brien CBE Action & Adventure Espionage Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Medical Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Spies & Politics Thriller & Suspense War & Military Fiction War Suspense

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What made the experience of listening to Master and Commander the most enjoyable?

The Aubrey/Maturin series are classics. They are quite simply the best historical novels ever written.

They open a window into a world two hundred years gone - the world of the Royal Navy during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. This was a time of blood and thunder, of maritime siege, a war of long, patient endurance against a tenacious and powerful enemy.

The story follows the adventures of two heroes in this war: Captain 'Lucky' Jack Aubrey and the physician, naturalist, and secret agent Stephen Maturin.

And what adventures! O'Brian's books are filled with espionage, warfare and the stinking reek of gunpowder. They are also full of humanity: perverse and humorous, dear and terrible, wonderfully alive.

The narration is excellent - Ric Jerrom is a revelation. He gives a supremely able and assured performance - certainly on a par with Audible's other star narrators (for instance Rupert Degas and Toby Longworth).

Start with book one today! There is not a moment to be lost!

Jack! You have debauched my Sloth!

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Exciting with out being over the top, interestingly technical without becoming unintelligible and evocative of the period. I look forward to hearing more.

The perfect historical type of novel

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This was my first audio book and I took a little time to get used to the medium.

I found the early in-depth descriptions of the rigging of a ship a little tedious as I had no drawings to refer to and I had read in the past series such as the Captain Bolitho novels which gave a very good grounding. However, as the book rapidly progressed beyond the scene-setting, I really got into the novel. I loved the narration and thought Ric Jerrom applied just the right amount of inflection to the the voices of the characters without going over the top. Listening became so addictive that I had to go out and buy a more comfortable set of earphones.

If I was to make any criticism, I thought that the description of places sometimes lacked a little detail and I found myself having to fill in the details - perhaps a good writing technique??

Overall, an excellent listen and I have already downloaded my next novel.

Grows on you

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This is an addictive story which will lead you in to the rest of the series. Although the books don't have to be read/listened to in order, this one sets the background and personalities of the key characters. They are developed wonderfully well, with all their charms and their faults. Very sympathetic reading by Ric Jerrom. The play on language and the use of the vernacular is very entertaining and it's altogether rivetting stuff. And you learn about an important time in British naval history at the same time.

Seafaring, adventure and great history

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Very well read. Maturin sounds like I imagined, sea battles had me hyperventilating. Recommend this.

Brings the book to life

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Well I usually go for something totally different. But this tale had me gripped right from the start. There’s a lot of technical detail about sails, set up, tactics and manoeuvres. But more than that, this is a ripping yarn. Battles,politics, international relations, strong characters and a brilliant start to a series. Enjoyed it and I’ll follow the story further.

Narration brings this story to life

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Brilliantly told,transported me aboard the Sophie, Ric Jerrom mesmerising voice drew me back 300 years ..pure adventure, I did not want the book to end.. thank you!

17 hours of poetry.....

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As a long time fan of the Aubrey / Maturin books and having read all 20/1 several times I expected to enjoy this recording but had not expected to find additional understanding, drama and a deeper feel for O’Brians humour. Tic Jerrom is a talented voice actor and I shall look out for more of his work.

For anyone who has not ventured into this series, if you enjoy impeccably researched, wittily written and character driven pacy plotting you are in for a treat. The only shoals that lie in wait for the newcomer to naval literature (as I was when I first picked up Master and Commander) are the many naval terms, but Maturin is a fine vehicle for patiently explaining to a landlubber until even ‘the meanest understanding’ will find the jargon penetrable.

Adds real depth to an already fine book

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I originally got a refund for this book as I was really disappointed to hear it was not the Robert Hardy version. However, I want THIS version back on my kindle agasagasin after finding out the Hardy version is drastically truncated! Such a pity.

Change of Heart....

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This book captivated me from start to finish, a wonderful read for anyone with an interest in history

Just brilliant

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