The Far Side of the World: Aubrey/Maturin Series, Book 10

Listening to Patrick Tull is like having an endlessly patient, wonderfully entertaining grandpa who will read and read and read. Combine Patrick Tull's narration with Patrick O'Brian's brilliant, heroic and funny world and you are off on a barefoot cruise every day. But stop right here, go back, and start at the beginning with Master and Commander. And, haul down the mizzen topgallant on your way back. There's not a moment to lose.

What a great sailing story. Not much of a story about naval battles but this story give a fabulous insight into Naval life of the 1790's. The information on whaling and the tension between British and U.S. whales was great. Patrick Tull is the best narrator of the series that I have listen to. The excitment displayed by the parson and the doctor regarding the exploration of nature was the best part of the story. The description of the Galapagos Island was magnificent.

The flow of the story with the charactors parts, Also I found it interesting with the Royal navy against the American navy in the worlds seas

Againg I liked the end with the cavalry arriving in the nick of time

When Steven and Jack are picked up by the native girls

I liked both Jack and Steven for their parts are a cement that holds the story together

I look forward to listening to the next one

I have never listened to a "Master and Commander" book before and after seeing the movie my expectations were very different than the actual book. I guess the movie makers just used the title "Far Side of the Earth". With that said I liked the story in general but had a very difficult time understanding the reader. So before you purchase this book you should listen to the clip, if you can understand the reader then this book is a good read.

This ending is like those of a weekly Television serial. There must be a next one.

I have listened to this series twice already, and will again in a few years I'm sure.

The relationship of the the Captain and the Surgeon are so much fun and so very real.

I much perfer the reading of Patrick Tull to Simon Vance. I have listened to both and for this eries Tull is much better for these books. Simon Vance is great in others, but not these books.

Patrick O'Brian deftly opens up a different side of the world for Aubrey and Maturin. Although not one of my favourite this series is always entertaining and leaves you anxious for the next book.

I nearly gave this 4 stars but for the abruptness of the ending. It was another excellent performace by Patrick Tull though. I thought the book lacked an action or two and at times i lost interest. I found the story began to mingle with the last couple of books in this series and I, like O'Brien, seem to be running out of patience. You eagerly listen to hour after hour of superb narration anticipating a good solid action or a point where the Royal Navy reasserts its dominance and you hear.."The End". You eagerly rush to the next book in the hopes that you will find out what happened and you are left wanting, as your characters are 'back in London.' Where Jack will, no doubt, get screwed over by the Navy and Stephen will save the day after an interview with an old friend. Like I said predictable but I am sure I will move on now to number 11!

I'm a real warship captain. I served in the USN for 31 years and was privileged to have three commands. I envy James Tiberius Kirk because he was allowed to remain a starship captain for his whole career. There's nothing like it really; best job on the planet. Sure it's demanding, carries a lot of responsibility, but one thing it is hardly ever is boring. But these books are. A fellow naval officer is a devoted fan of the series and I kept reading them hoping to find out why. I've now read four: Far Side of the World, Post Captain, HMS Surprise and The Ionian Mission and I give up. They're terrible unless you like listening for half an hour or more to discourse on some archane bug or other. The constant stress of Jack's financial perils becomes just plain tedious. If this era is your interest then I suggest the Hornblower series by CS Forester (sp) or the Bolitho novels by Douglas Reeman both of which are much better.

I thought I would try P. Tull as a reader for this book in the series. What a mistake I listened for about an hour then went and bought the book again read by S. Vance. I think the readed makes or breaks the book.

One reviewer said P. Tull is like listening to a grandfather tell a story and I agree. That is not what I want in a audio book, I want the change of inflection of voice so I can tell that a character in the book is talking not just the narrator. I can't listen to this, I will have to re-buy the book with S. Vance narrating.