Master and Commander

I liked the movie and was thinking about getting the EP series. Have any of y'all subscribed to this one or read any of the books? What did you think?

This will be my first EP subscription.

I can't comment on the EP edition as I have the UK hardbacks from Harper Collins. As a reading experience, the series is truly magnificent. Aubrey and Maturin will become your friends for life.

Take a look at the Folio Society editions as well - they are currently on sale offer. Textually, I understand they are better than the EP volumes which incorporate the many typos which crept into the US hardback edition of the novels.

I was also considering getting this series but I'm not sure if I should get the EP edtion which are leather bound and have all 20 in the series, or the FS edtion which only have the first 10 books in print so far, but are cheaper since they are part of the intro offer... so I'm not sure whether the EP or FS are better looks-wise.

I have the first 9 folio and the rest in EP editions. I generally don't mix collections, but after the 9 FS volumes, I decided that I really didn't like the design (particularly the bunch illustrations/pictures) and decided to get the rest in EP volumes. I really like the EP volumes in terms of shape and overall look and feel. I also like not having to wait to own the whole series.

Found a EP Master and Commander. On page 30. Oh what a true joy this book is turning out to be. I must subscribe. I hope the rest of them will be as enjoyable.

> 6

They get better until after about the 13th volume where they start to tail of a little, but still remain enjoyable. You will be fully hooked by then.

That was an awesome book. Need moar. What exactly do mean by tail off?

Scotch.

> 7

Simply that the quality is not quite as good as the proceeding volumes. By this stage O'Brian was ageing and his creative powers started to dim a little. The latter books, for me at least, lacked some of the magic and sparkle of the earlier volumes.

Thank you so much Quick.

> 10

You're welcome. I envy you reading this series for the first time. My first reading was one of the best reading experiences I have ever had.

I have the Harper/Collins hardcover edition and the nine FS volumes...perhaps the EP editions will fill out the B'Brian universe.

> 12

You have both ?

I have the UK Harper Collins hardbacks and have resisted the temptation to buy the FS volumes. I am not sure that I don't find the FS cover designs a bit "twee" with the nautical ropes and drums and so on.

Do you like the FS volumes and what do you think they offer over the Harper Collins hardbacks.

Just interested.

Yes I have both. I do love the dust covers of the HarperCollins editions but the quality of the FS books in terms of binding and papers is much better than the HP ones. I saw the Easton Press which looked good but someone somewhere else (and I cannot remember where) stated that the EP editions were not as good as the FS editions. Do I really need a third set of the O'Brian books? Maybe not but ask me in a year. I have both the EP and FS editions of th Da Vinci books and both are good in their own way, hum...
(Edited for typos)

I don't own any edition, but a purchase is in the offing (I hope). I've read that FS has a nice set of maps specific to each volume's adventures, which intrigues me no end. I've read good things about the illustrations, too, but that is gravy. The maps: much more integral to my reading experience for this series.

I'm always interested to get other viewpoints, since I've not yet made my decision, and while FS have withdrawn the O'Brien intro offer for those of us Stateside.

Sorry to revive this old thread, but thought it would be better than making a new one about the same thing. I am also debating between the FS or EP editions of this series. Of course, I love that the EP books are bound in leather, however, they also all have the same cover design, whereas, the FS books have different covers and spines.

I think one of the main factors that would help me decide would be whether the EP editions are illustrated, or not. Could anyone fill me in, please? I am aware that there are at least color frontispieces.

16: I believe that the books are not illustrated except for the frontispiece. However, I don't know how "good" the illustrations are in the FS edition. I think they are not full illustrations, but I might be mistaken.

>16 Arknight: & 17 The FS series are all illustrated, mostly with historically relevant pictures, no commissioned artwork.

Again sorry to revive an old thread, but does it annoy anyone else that the print in the EP volumes is kind a grayish color rather than black? Anyone else feel that there is not enough contrast here?

>15 elenchus:

To pick up where I left off: I ended up deciding on the FS, and do not regret the decision at all. The maps are indeed great, there are specially-designed tailpieces to most chapters (space providing, as dictated by the length of the chapter), and usually 3 sets of bound-in illustrations. As noted in 18>, nothing specially commissioned but instead, historically relevant paintings, line drawings, etchings, and so forth. In many cases, these are specific to the personage or ship discussed, but just as often they are a representative illustration of the flora & fauna, shipboard activity, and what have you.

I've not seen the EP editions to compare, but ... well, I love the FS series and plan to complete it.

I too went with the FS editions, which I believe are better quality and more to my taste. I have read up to book 16, with a few more to go. The series is great.

I've actually read the whole thing about 4 or 5 times so I figured I'd treat myself to the deluxe set. At the time I started my subscription I didn't know about FS. Hopefully they do it better than EP. I've received about 15 books so far in random order and still have yet to receive book 1.

>23 Sargon13: Seems rather bizarre to ship in a random order. I bought my FS set over two years and in chronological order so I could read the series in sequence.

Various books are on back order and they said they will ship when they print more. It's been two months with no shipments. Sometimes I lay awake at night wondering what to do if I only get an incomplete set.

Master of the house, doling out the charm
Ready with a handshake and an open palm
Tells a saucy tale, makes a little stir
Customers appreciate a bon-viveur
....

The above starts playing in my head ever time I hear "Master and Commander" :)

>27 astropi: The above starts playing in my head ever time I hear "Master and Commander"

Damn. I suppose it will for me too now...

So I was 10 months since my last book in the series shipped and upon checking the EP web site I didn't see the series listed any longer. I called and it appears they are special printing the remainder of the series and sending out the stragglers. I did get number one, so at least I can start reading them now!

I missed out on this series unfortunately. I tried to order it during the last 20% off sale and they said it has been out of production and unavailable since 6/2014.

I would so love to see Russell Crowe do another movie based on this series of books. The original of course of one of my favorites!

A few stragglers from the series for sale.

The Truelove
The Commodore
Blue at the Mizzen

>31 Wootle: It's a shame that Easton Press misspelled O'Brian's last name on these "last chance" pages.

I don't imagine to many people would be looking for these, but you never know.

>32 Betelgeuse: Correct spelling is not required to work for a publishing business. lol

Wow! That is just plain sloppy!

It is right there in the photo for reference!

>35 sdawson: Yes, it is. Really makes you wonder!

Not only did they goof the spelling, but they goofed it three times per listing!
- URL
- Title
- Description

>37 treereader:
doh!

And EP has fixed the links and the description.

yea!

https://www.eastonpress.com/all-categories/literature/patrick-o’brians-the-com...

Makes ya wonder if EP has a house rule, where anyone caught making a spelling mistake on the website has to bring in donuts to work.

(mole, feel free to spread this rumor around...)

>40 treereader: 🤣

>39 sdawson: I'm glad they corrected it!