Description

The higher one climbs, the further there is to fall.
As war with Napoleon seemingly draws to a close, opportunities for advancement are limited and Jack Aubrey faces the ultimate indignity – the possibility of being ‘yellowed’, or retired, and set aside with no squadron of his own. But the blockade of Brest presents dangers to equal those of the furthest shores.

Who poses the greater threat to a naval man through and through? A resurgent Bonaparte or the Admiralty itself?

‘On every page [O’Brian] reminds us with noble artistry of the most important of all historical lessons: that times change but people don’t, that the griefs and follies and victories of the men and women who were here before us are in fact the maps of our own lives.’
RICHARD SNOW, New York Times

‘These novels are a brilliant achievement. They display staggering erudition on almost all aspects of eighteenth-century life.’

Times Literary Supplement

Publisher Review

'If O'Brian's novels have become a cult, this is because they are truly addictive. . . They are, quite magnificently, adventure yarns whose superb authenticity never distracts from the sheer thrill of the action.' Caroline Moore, Sunday Telegraph 'The Aubrey-Maturin novels, by Patrick O'Brian, are so addictive that after I finish one I have to hide the next from myself for a little while in order to do anything else but read.' Louise Erdrich 'In Aubrey and Maturin, Patrick O'Brian has created two of the most enjoyable characters in twentieth-century fiction. Their relationship sustains an absorbing and thrilling sequence of naval stories, unrivalled in their complexity, full of impeccable detail and psychological insight. O'Brian switches from the intimate to the epic with equal assurance. One of the greatest authors to sail with.' Michael Palin 'My hero is Patrick O'Brian. It's basically impossible to write that well.' David Mamet 'One of the most compelling and brilliant novelists of his time . . . Beyond his superbly elegant writing, wit and originality, Patrick O'Brian showed an understanding of the nature of a floating world at the mercy of the wind and the sea which has never been surpassed.' Max Hastings, Evening Standard 'I devoured Patrick O'Brian's twenty-volume masterpiece as if it had been so many tots of Jamaica grog.' Christopher Hitchens 'Written with most engaging enthusiasm that can't fail to give pleasure to anybody who enjoys historical adventure flavoured with more than a dash of realism.' The Sunday Times 'One of the most brilliantly sustained pieces of historical fictional writing this century.' James Teacher, Spectator 'Patrick O'Brian brings depth to his sea-stories with outstanding dialogue, characterisation, humour and a golden thread of romance. You don't have to love books about naval battles to become entranced.' Katie Fforde