Please see my comments on Vol. 1, Master and Commander.
Despite the 5-star review, which I have given to each book in this series, "21" was sad (because it was unfinished and because it's the last I'll read of Aubrey and Maturin) and frustrating (because the hand-written portions were practically indecipherable. I think the drawing by Geoff Hunt on the back cover of this book of the "H.M.S. Surprise in Mourning," along with his inscription, was the perfect touch.
"May I contribute to the general mourning this little drawing of the 'dear Surprise.' Captain Aubrey, sailing his ship somewhere in the Elysian Seas, has anchored awhile to salute his creator. In the prescribed navy manner, the yards are hoisted cockbilled, the flags and pennants droop at half-mast; cannon boom out the salute, while on board, perhaps, the hands are mustered, black is the colour of the day, swords are reversed, and maybe the Dead March is played. It will not last long. There will be another tide to catch, another wind to profit by; she will not lose a minute. The man may be gone, but Surprise and her well-known crew will sail on forever in our hearts."
Despite the 5-star review, which I have given to each book in this series, "21" was sad (because it was unfinished and because it's the last I'll read of Aubrey and Maturin) and frustrating (because the hand-written portions were practically indecipherable. I think the drawing by Geoff Hunt on the back cover of this book of the "H.M.S. Surprise in Mourning," along with his inscription, was the perfect touch.
"May I contribute to the general mourning this little drawing of the 'dear Surprise.' Captain Aubrey, sailing his ship somewhere in the Elysian Seas, has anchored awhile to salute his creator. In the prescribed navy manner, the yards are hoisted cockbilled, the flags and pennants droop at half-mast; cannon boom out the salute, while on board, perhaps, the hands are mustered, black is the colour of the day, swords are reversed, and maybe the Dead March is played. It will not last long. There will be another tide to catch, another wind to profit by; she will not lose a minute. The man may be gone, but Surprise and her well-known crew will sail on forever in our hearts."
Please see my comments on Vol. 1, Master and Commander.
Please see my comments on Vol. 1, Master and Commander.
Please see my comments on Vol. 1, Master and Commander.
Please see my comments on Vol. 1, Master and Commander.
Please see my comments on Vol. 1, Master and Commander.
Please see my comments on Vol. 1, Master and Commander.
Please see my comments on Vol. 1, Master and Commander.
Please see my comments on Vol. 1, Master and Commander.
Please see my comments on Vol. 1, Master and Commander.
Please see my comments on Vol. 1, Master and Commander.
Please see my comments on Vol. 1, Master and Commander.
Please see my comments on Vol. 1, Master and Commander.
Please see my comments on Vol. 1, Master and Commander.
Please see my comments on Vol. 1, Master and Commander.
Please see my comments on Vol. 1, Master and Commander.
I absolutely lost myself in Patrick O'Brien's Aubrey-Maturin series. Somehow I had never heard of this series until the Master and Commander movie, which I enjoyed so much I bought the DVD. The making-of portion of the DVD discussed the entire series of books, so I began reading and did not stop until the last, partially completed "21." I have now read the series through twice. In a way I am glad that I did not become aware of the series until after Patrick O'Brien's death because I was able to "chain read" the series. I am in awe of the author's writing, his meticulous research, and his ability to create such memorable characters and spin an incredibly good yarn.
I've been meaning to read this for years, and I finally worked it in. Before I began, I thought I knew a lot about the Civil War, but I was so wrong. Now I want to read about the author himself.