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  • Master and Commander

  • Aubrey/Maturin Series, Book 1
  • By: Patrick O'Brian
  • Narrated by: Patrick Tull
  • Length: 16 hrs and 45 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (7,266 ratings)

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Master and Commander

By: Patrick O'Brian
Narrated by: Patrick Tull
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Publisher's summary

This, the first in the splendid series of Jack Aubrey novels, establishes the friendship between Captain Aubrey, Royal Navy, and Stephen Maturin, ship's surgeon and intelligence agent, against the thrilling backdrop of the Napoleonic wars. Details of life aboard a man-of-war in Nelson's navy are faultlessly rendered: the conversational idiom of the officers in the ward room and the men on the lower deck, the food, the floggings, the mysteries of the wind and the rigging, and the road of broadsides as the great ships close in battle.
Don't miss the rest of the Aubrey/Maturin series.
©1984 Patrick O'Brian (P)2003 Recorded Books, LLC.

Critic reviews

"The best historical novels ever written." (The New York Times Book Review)
"No writer alive can move one as O'Brian can; no one can make you laugh so loud with hilarity, whiten your knuckles with unbearable tension or choke with emotion. He is the master." (Irish Times)

Featured Article: The 20 Best Military Audiobooks from History to Fiction and Beyond


The titles that fall under the designation of military audiobooks are more varied and diverse than you might think. From firsthand combat accounts to imaginative works of fiction, these listens cover a lot of ground on both domestic and international disputes, scientific and sociological analyses, male and female perspectives, lessons from victory and loss, and more. What they have in common, though, are themes of courage, loss, and determination.

Editor's Pick

A historical masterpiece
"I came to this book through my dad, whose initial recommendation may have garnered an eye roll. But, like Young Frankenstein and yacht rock, sometimes his favorites end up being…cool!?! The first in the Jack Aubrey series takes you on a naval adventure, set against the backdrop of the Napoleonic wars and packed with period detail so meticulously authentic you can go on your own Master & Commander weekend getaway, complete with historically accurate menus and accommodations, should you choose. Or you can just listen to the epic audiobooks, handsomely narrated by the incomparable Patrick Tull. If there’s such a thing as a "dadsterpiece," this is it."
Kat J., Audible Editor

What listeners say about Master and Commander

Average customer ratings
Overall
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

The voice of a history professor.

The only issue I have is the narration. It's a bland droning elderly voice wholly unfitted to the subjects of the story. If at any moment during the narration, he should break into Bueller, bueller, Bueller, I shouldn't be surprised in the least.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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The book is so entertaining

The writing is superb. I would read anything Patrick O'Brian wrote and would listen to anything narrated by Patrick Tull. I love the narration and have never laughed so much at the funny parts.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Great narrator, terrific story and details

Finest narrator I’ve ever listened to. terrific historic narrative of 18th & 19th century sea life. I was not a war or sailing buff, but this drew me in and educated me while delighting me

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Wonderful

Have read the series in its entirety five times over 20 years. Listening to it is coming to it afresh, and with a heightened sense of drama. Superb.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Riveting Tale and Reading

The exquisite command of naval detail and language of the time were equaled by a reading that was stunning in its phrasing, pacing and voice. One of the best audio books I’ve enjoyed out of dozens.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A Masterpiece of Adventure Literature

take this book as an audible gift.—
The narrator is beyond excellent
The story is easy to embrace and
the characters exquisitely drawn .
I literally could not stop listening from start to finish.

Do not pass this up!

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Great adventure

Third read (well listen this time) in my lifetime and never gets old, humor, action and a compelling tale of the sea. Don’t listen to the kids, Patrick Tull is an amazing narrator

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Everything

Quite superb overall, the performance by Patrick Tull was very good, excellent narrator and story

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A very enjoyable book.

The book was very enjoyable. Yes there is a lot of nautical jargon but I didn’t find it too difficult to follow. Only negative for me was that it felt strange how unaffected the characters seemed to be from the carnage and loss from battles. Overall it was very good, but I haven’t decided whether I’ll continue with the others in the series or not.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great narration - unparalleled performance

Would you listen to Master and Commander again? Why?

I've read the book 7 times in the past 10-15 years. It is magnificent. I have listened to it read by at least three different narrators. Patrick Tull is the only one who does it justice. His performance is wonderful. His accents make a huge difference to the pleasure I get from listening to stories like this read.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Master and Commander?

It begins wonderfully - at the concert.

Which character – as performed by Patrick Tull – was your favorite?

Jack and Stephen are equally well portrayed.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

you couldn't do it, though I did drive almost non-stop from Palatine Illinois to Lookout Mountain Tennessee listening to Tull read another book in the series. I stopped for gas. I ate takeout so I could keep listening.

Any additional comments?

Why has anyone else recorded it - a waste of time and space.

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1 person found this helpful