Previously unregistered copy from my permanent collection (1978 copy).

Just reread it. Somehow I must have only read it half way through, last time.

From the author's note; ".......the groundwork of the tale, a little known campaign in the Indian Ocean, is factual; and as far as the geography, the manoeuvres, the ships taken, burnt or destroyed, the battles, triumphs, and disasters are concerned, the writer has kept cllose to contemporary accounts, to the log-books anddespatches of the officers who fought the actions, and to the Admiralty records. Apart from the necessary fictions at the beginning and at the very end, he has done nothing to neaten history except for the ommission of a few confusing, unimportant ships whose fleeting presence was neither here nor there; nor has he thought fit to gild the lily by adding in any way to the Royal Navy's pugnacious resourcefulness in time of adversity."

I did find it a little confusing at times. Some of the ships were changing hands from one page to the next. Imagine what it must have been like to be there. You think a ship is one of yours, and next minute up runs the enemy flag! To this POB adds his usual blend of humour and nautical knowledge. Fantastic!

This copy will become available when I can find a newer copy, so don't be afraid to ask.

I first discovered Patrick O'Brian's books, when searching for Alexander Kent's Bolitho series. I've been hooked ever since.

Book arrived safely. Many thanks for sharing I look forward to reading it.

In many respects this book marks a sea change in the characters of Stephen Maturin and in particular Jack Aubrey. They are older and less energetic than in previous books and Jack in particular seems less gung-ho. In fact the book opens with Aubrey as a fairly ineffective home-owner, husband and father. Both he and his wife wishes to see him back soon in his true element, at sea.

However, in truth it is probably two minor characters that are more significant. Captain Corbett, a vicious "flogging captain" whose idea of discipline is so severe that the men under his command are threatening to turn mutinous, and Lord Clonfert, a son of an Irish aristocrat with whom Jack once served as a youngster but despite being a favourite of his betters has failed to match Jack's military success since much to Clonfert's chagrin. The difficulties with Corbett are fairly straight forward but Clonfert is a different case altogether. Clonfert in contrast is loved by his men but in truth is fairly ineffective as a real leader. He mounts an all-out campaign to prove that he's just as good as his old shipmate, with disastrous results. Fortunately for Jack, he is also working closely with an army officer Colonel Keating whom is almost an army shadow as Jack and together they manage to overcome most of the obstacles in front of them placed their by their enemies on both sides.

Going out as a RABCK. Enjoy!

In the morning, I received the intriguing SMS announcing that something was waiting for me in the packstation.

During lunch break, I retrieved this book which had been on my wishlist since 2015-01-19. Thank you very much for the RABCK, it's much appreciated!

My other works by this author

Other BC activities during this day

The first third of the book was quite a long row to hoe, but then the action started and the tale picked up more and more tempo. The book contains everything covered by the old naval toast "Blood and gore, prizes galore!".

Material for The Great English Book Swap on Sunday. Left it on the shelf next to the German version "Geheimauftrag Mauritius".