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)

Awesome

The best historical novel I've ever read. A real step up from the first in character development and plot. Great read.

One of the Best - Superb - Tull Reigns Supreme

The Aubrey/Maturin series is, as a body of work, the greatest set of novels in the English language. Post Captain is one of the best.

Post Captain introduces both the ladies' auxilary of the series, with fierce Diana and beautiful Sophie, and also shows us the hilarious social commentary of the Austen-loving O'Brian at his best. There is plenty of war action - Jack and Stephen are on a number of ships - and a harrowing, wonderful trek across the Pyrenees with Jack disguised as a bear, ending in a visit to Stephen's castle. (This is a real castle - I have seen it.)

And it introduces us to Stephen's identities as a natural historian and intelligence agent, that give so much color to the books over time.

If you consume these auditorially, accept no substitutions for Patrick Tull as narrator. He is magnificent.

Seamanship, leadership, geography are soaking in.

This is the current book, but I've been listening to these at random for about a year now, have really been surprised how much has soaked into my consciousness.

Saw a picture the other day of a small boat by a breakwater at what was obviously at high tide and a high sea. My first thought was not "nice picture"--it was--but "lee shore!!! does it have enough leeway?"

Appalled listening to Richard Zacks' book on the Barbary Pirates--total incompetence of an American naval captain, both as a leader and as a sailor. "HowEVER did the American Navy get to the point that they could best the Royal Navy by 1812?"

And a lot of that insight came from Post Captain, with that dreadful ship and flogging mad first officer.

And it is nice to finally know how our guys meet Sophie and Diana.

A dramatic adventure!

As Jack and Stephen's relationship grows and takes unexpected turns, as does Jack's luck. Finding himself at risk of debtor's prison, the captain desperately goes to sea to seek his fortune.

O'Brian once again captures the era with stunning accuracy and grace in this thrilling novel which will have you on the tops shouting "Sails to windward!"

I'm an O'Brian fan.

Patrick O'Brian has created a wonderful book about the 1700 British Naval Service. The detail of interactions, sailing, fighting, and life is amazing. The narration by Patrick Tull brings the book to life! I know this is only the 2nd book in the series but I can hardly wait listen to the next book because of these first two being tops on my list.

Capital! start to finish

The author makes Captain Jack more lovable while good Steven struggles with matters of the heart. Love the series!

The plot was not as fast paced as the first book.

Good book. Love the narrator. Loved the setting. Not as fast paced as the first book. Not sure I will sit through book number three. I was in love with the first book… The bloom is off the rose?

Hurrah for Jack Aubrey!

If you could sum up Post Captain in three words, what would they be?

Humor. Drama. History. 2nd in a seafaring series. Absolutely delightful.

What other book might you compare Post Captain to and why?

The entire Aubrey-Maturin series by Patrick O'Brien is extraordinary.

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

Patrick Tull has no equal. He does a boatload of cockney sailors & stuffy British admirals with great elan.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Stephen Maturin being fished out of the drink & berated by his boat mates. Hilarious.

Any additional comments?

Both author and narrator have passed away. Makes these books doubly precious.

Another great<br /> story

but an abrupt ending which I thought would be more developed...on to the next one

good yarn, but too much expository background

good narration, good story, but I kept getting lost and mired in a belabored side plots and exposition.