Men-of-War: Life in Nelson's Navy

Patrick O'Brian's Men-of-War: Life in Nelson's Navy explores life in the Royal Navy during the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. By no means an exhaustive look at Nelson's Navy, O'Brian's book works best as a companion to his Aubrey-Maturin series as it explains how the watch system worked, the rigging of sails, and the weaponry aboard ships. O'Brian alternates between explanation and detailed descriptions of battles as examples of his subjects, bringing to bear the writing style he previously demonstrated in his novels. This volume also features paintings and illustrations from the period.

This is a short book about the 18th century novels written by Patrick O'Brian as background to his Aubrey and Maturin series. Understanding naval terminology in detail is pretty much essential to really appreciating his novels - something that I haven't managed to do. Has some useful diagrams of ships and tables with useful information about ships sizes and naval ranks, etc.

I've had this book for a while, to look at and get a better idea about the wonderful details in O'Brian's Aubrey/maturin series. This was a very helpful, but still entertaining guide to the major ideas of the books - the ships themselves, types, sails,gunnery; the officers and men, ranks, duties; the typical day;

The illustrations and diagrams really added to the book, and O'Brian used them effectively, pointing out different things in the same painting.

The only drawback is remembering O'Brian is now 'sailing the further seas.'

Nice little book on the Nelson-era navy. Not exhaustive by any means, but would be a good companion for the person just venturing into the Aubrey novels.

Interesting background to the Patrick O'Brian novels, which I will get back to eventually.