Post Captain

Aubrey/Maturin Series, Book 2

By: Patrick O'Brian

Narrated by: Patrick Tull

Length: 19 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's summary

The Peace of Amiens has left Jack Aubrey with no ship, no enemy to pursue, and no possibility of prize money to supplement his meager income. His decision to seek refuge from his troubles, and creditors, in France proves doubly disastrous.

Don't miss the rest of the Aubrey/Maturin series.

©1972 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)

Can’t ask for better

I always great no matter how many times I listen
I think you will like it too

Whole series is Awesome!

There’s not a bad or even mediocre story in the entire series! I highly recommend them all!

Excellent!!

This is my second reading of the series (listening this time). Patrick Tull is incredible -- lends a whole new dimension to the story. Highly recommend!

slow, however enjoyable

These books are sooooo drawn out and wordy. Great story and love the history.

Great adventures and fun on land and sea!

It boggles my mind how someone who is so contemporary as O'Brian can write with a voice that is so true to the period, especially given the fact that sailing tall ships is essentially a lost art. I am also impressed at the scope of topics that he tackles, from sailing to music, to matters of the heart. Tull's narration is spot on, and adds so much to the joy of "reading" these Aubrey-Maturin books.

Even better than the first book!

Finally some female characters! And pretty good ones too. You get the sense P. O'B really challenged himself to make up for what the first book was lacking and perhaps brushed up in his Austin before writing this installment. We get to learn more of the mysterious doctor machurin and see a softer side of JA. Of course there is nautical adventure and historical detail aplenty. I really enjoyed this book, and am loving he series.

A terrific story of friendship, and sailing when Great Britain ruled the seas.

A terrific story of friendship, and sailing when England ruled the seas. Perfectly narrated by Patrick Tull. Historically true to the era, and seamanship. O'Brian's attention to detail of the tall ships of that time is well known and respected.

I'm a poor sleeper, and my nights are filled with these tales of "Lucky Jack" who is not always lucky in terms of finances, love, or the men he reports to at the Admiralty.

great writing and great reading

Tge 21 Aubrey-Maturin volumes by Patrick O'Brian may constitute the longest novel in the English language. Patrick Tull (RIP) loves the stories and the characters and gives each one his own unmistakable voice. In 30 years of listening to recorded books I've found nothing else that comes close.

Might be the best in the series.

It's on the slow side compared to some of the others, but it opens up the world of 1800 London in a way that truly pleases the soul. A marvelous work of fiction.

Fleshes out the characters and sets the foundation

Would you consider the audio edition of Post Captain to be better than the print version?

I loved this book, but its longwinded in parts and I doubt Id have made it through it in print.

Which scene was your favorite?

The cutting out expedition was great as are some of the scenes where you start to see inside Maturin's head. (also bees love the bees)

Any additional comments?

The author went back and greatly widened the base of the characters for this book. The greatly added depth makes for a novel that is quite slow in parts, but is necessary to create characters strong enough to support such a massive series.