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Master and Commander
- Aubrey/Maturin Series, Book 1
- Narrated by: Patrick Tull
- Series: Aubrey/Maturin, Book 1
- Length: 16 hrs and 45 mins
- Categories: Literature & Fiction, Action & Adventure
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The H.M.S. Leopard pulled into the bay of Pulo Batang looking more like a shabby merchant ship that a man-of-war. The crew had endured a calamitous voyage plagued by gaol-fever, pursued by the Dutch Waakzaamheid, and struck by an iceberg. Suffice it to say, Jack Aubrey was ready for home.
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Great series
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Shoved into a temporary command in "that rotten old Worcester," Aubrey is off to the Mediterranean to join the Royal Navy's blockade of the French port of Toulon, where he will be dispatched by Admiral Harte (unfortunately the same Admiral Harte he cuckolded years ago) on a secret mission that promises to embroil Aubrey in political conflict. His friend Stephen's help notwithstanding, Aubrey faces some of the choppiest waters of his career.
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What lies beyond is the far side of the world...
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Every book gets better
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Shaking off this label, a shy and lonely 17-year-old, Horatio Hornblower, embarks on a memorable career in Nelson's navy on HMS Justinian. In action, adventure, and battle he is forged into one of the most formidable junior officers in the service.
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Jack Aubrey is back in London after a successful mission. On the advice of an acquaintance he uses the time to invest some of his prize money. However when the investments link him to London's powerful criminal element and land him in jail it looks as if he has lost his post captaincy and the H.M.S. Surprise. It is once again up to ship's surgeon and covert agent Stephen Maturin to rescue his hapless friend.
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Most Moving
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AKA "Beat to Quarters"
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Having received strict and confidential orders from high above, C.S. Forester's inimitable hero must recapture The Flame, a brig which has been taken over by a band of mutineers. Voyaging to the Bay of Seine in order to rescue the captive Lieutenant Augustin Chadwick from his disloyal crew, Horatio Hornblower must once more fight for the freedom and safety of his people and country.
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The Letter of Marque
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In The Letter of Marque, Jack is once again aboard his beloved Surprise but stripped of his post captaincy for a crime he did not commit. Bought by Stephen, the Surprise has become a privateer. Sailing into French waters, the two concoct a desperate mission which, if successful, may redeem Aubrey from his state of disgrace.
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Missing last chapter
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The Wine-Dark Sea
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
At the outset of this adventure, Jack Aubrey and Stephen Maturin pursue a heavy American privateer through the Great South Sea. Their ship, the Surprise, is now also a privateer, the better to escape diplomatic complications from Stephen's mission, which is to ignite the revolutionary tinder of South America.
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Patrick Tull is the only narrator to choose
- By Margaret on 10-05-08
By: Patrick O'Brian
Publisher's Summary
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: 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
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What listeners say about Master and Commander
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall
- Michael
- 03-23-04
An Authentic Naval Story
I have listened to several of this series previously (mostly on cassette from the Public Library--some with parts damaged, etc.). This recording is pretty good, technically, but I can hear a faint echo in the background on my player, leading me to believe it was transcribed from tape. The reader is not the same guy as in later books (Richard Brown later, Patrick Tull on this one). Mr. Tull has a much more raspy, colorful voice, and gives particular accent to the "Irish" characters--no so in the Brown-read books. Tull is quite good.
I can't say enough about this series. I love it, and look forward to all 20 books being available on Audible. It was great to finally "read" the first book after knowing how the realtionship developes later on. As a former US Navy guy, it is also scary to see just how much from this era is EXACTLY the same today. If you saw the movie, it is not the same (entirely) as this book, as that plot draws from several books in this series. It is almost as though Patrick O'Brian really lived in 1800 (OK, he only missed it by 100 years!), because every aspect of his story is so totally authentic. He takes no liberty in modernizing anything at all. Obviously, the nautical aspect is exact, but so are the tiny details of everything else. His main characters are very likable, yet he leaves them with very human faults which remain fairly consistent throughout the series.
The website for the movie by this name (the one with Russell Crowe) explains some of the nautical details that are rattled off matter-of-factly all through the book and might be worth looking at to avoid some initial confusion. I did note that this first book did take some time to explain some of this by the device of explaining it to Stephen by a young midshipman. It can be a little confusing in fast action sequences without some idea what the characters are shouting about.
An excellent book and well read. I am hooked on this series, obviously.
64 people found this helpful
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Overall
- Frank R. Adams
- 04-23-10
Choice of Narrators
This is a marvelous series - one which I've purchased to continue as I did not want to wait on my monthly membership credit. The characters are engaging and I personally thoroughly enjoy the period language and historical naval theme.
One thing that is a bit confusing is that there are two versions of most if not all the audio books - one narrated by Patrick Tull and one by Simon Vance. The first in this series I listened to was narrated by Patrick Tull and then I inadvertently purchased the second book narrated by Simon Vance. Although I have listened to several other books narrated by Simon Vance who always gives a laudable performance, in my view Patrick Tull is the ideal narrator for this series. His portrayal of the various period accents is pitch perfect to my ear and perfectly fits the spirit of these books. From the other reviews not everyone seems to share this opinion. As most if not all the series is available from both narrators, I suggest listening to the sample of each and deciding which you prefer.
185 people found this helpful
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Overall
- Craig
- 03-24-10
Give it time...
This series is over 20 volumes long. To hear others say "I gave up after two hours" makes me want to laugh. Did you not realize there are 20+ books in this series, with antiquated language, sailing ship descriptions and military terms.
If you plan on getting into this series, plan on not understanding the plot or language for the first half of this book (unless you're familiar with the period or Royal Navy). However, once the action starts and you get into the characters, it's very rewarding. I consider this series the cornerstone of military histories. It is well worth the time and investment in the story and characters. I was depressed when I finished book 21 and realized there would be no more new stories of Jack or Steven...
I've "read" over 300 books on Audible and these books are my favorites.
73 people found this helpful
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Overall
- Robert Mahowald
- 01-27-04
What O'Brian began, Tull completes
I've read the entire series, re-read several, and read again the really choice ones (Master and Commander, Post Captain, Far Side of the World, etc). I enjoyed -- but not loved -- the abridged versions from Audible but felt that unlike other fairly long books, those in this series didn't suffer from poor editing, etc., and abidgement left off choice passages and subtle details. I want to praise Patrick Tull, however-- his phrasing, timing, delivery are perfect. He knows when to pause, when to hurry over a sentence, when to express disgust, happiness, etc. O'Brian fans will know the subtlety of Tull's reading and love it, and newcomers to the series will have their best possible introduction. This is a great place to start!
75 people found this helpful
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Overall
- gbreite
- 02-14-04
It begins here
Some will find the Aubrey/Maturin series a great literary treasure. Others will not. Over the years I have read the series and listened to both abridged and unabridged versions read by various readers. Each reader has given Jack and Steven somewhat different characters. Tull's renditions are among my favorites and he is to be complemented. Listening to the clean Audible versions is a treat after struggling thru cassettes of varying quality.
When compared to the Aubrey/Maturin series, most other historical fiction is reduced to the category of "pulp fiction." Both male and female characters (the women arrive in later volumes) are invariably complex and complete, their relationships marked by contrasts in ability, perspective and disposition. The plots are also an exercise in contrasts between civility and barbarism, good and evil, boredom and excitement. O'Brian captures the age of sail. The rhythm of the story telling is that of sailing itself: long periods of inactivity where shipmates and dinner are the primary focus punctuated with periods of exhilaration where thought and action mean the difference between life and death. If this appeals, begin at the beginning.
51 people found this helpful
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Overall
- Joel D Offenberg
- 10-18-09
Excellent Book
A fun book, telling the story of a Royal Navy Officer, Lieutenant/Captain Jack Aubrey and his friend Dr. Stephen Maturin. It gives an interesting (and, as far as O'Brian could manage it) authentic view of life in the Royal Navy during the Napoleonic era.
One word of caution: this is a naval book steeped in the lingo of the age of sail with no attempt at translation. If you want to know what a mizzen topmast is, or how many bells there are in the dog watch, you'll have to look it up. I made several visits to Wikipedia while listening to this one.
Many other reviewers have voiced strong opinions comparing Patrick Tull's narration to that of the other version, narrated by Simon Vance. My tuppence:
Tull's gravelly voice, lively story-telling and (South England?) accent make him a very good story-teller...but if Americans who weren't brought up on a steady diet of Monty Python and the like might find it a little hard to follow. Vance's story-telling is perhaps a little less lively and exciting, but his accent is a bit friendlier to American ears. Personally, I prefer Tull's version.
26 people found this helpful
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Overall
- Kindle Customer
- 01-08-04
Superb Adventure, Interesting Characters
I heard this book on tape and am thrilled that it is now available from Audible. O'Brian's characters are truly that, fully rounded human beings, whose faults are viewed as candidly as their virtues. The adventures are based on actual events during the Napoleonic Wars, and the author brings them to life with his portrayal of the telling details and the sweeping political events. The narrator's gritty voice, rather like that of an old salt, adds to the tale well told.
53 people found this helpful
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Overall
- Paul
- 06-14-08
Tull as the first choice for a reader
My review is to commend Patrick Tull as the narrator of choice in the Aubrey series. I listened to Tull on book #1 and Vance on book #2. I have returned to Tull for the remainder in the series. While Vance is excellent with the various accents (French, Italian, Spanish, etc) I find his Maturin lacking any touch of the Irish and his Aubrey forced in its tone. In contrast, Tull gives his two main characters all the character they deserve. The key to Tull's reading is that while Vance narrates Tull tells the tale. It's as if he is sitting in the room with you and telling you a story. And if you don't mind him taking more time in telling the story--he is in no rush--it's worth every minute you listen.
39 people found this helpful
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Overall
- Michael
- 12-08-07
First of a wonderful series
For those whose only exposure to the Aubry/Maturin series has been the Master and Commander movie, you are in for a joyful surprize! The books, of which this is the first, are incredible on a number of levels, not the least of which is the consistant quality of the writing. The books are roaring adventures, spy novels, highly educational, and often absolutely hilarious.
As good as the printed books are, I must say that Patrick Tull's readings have added to the series. His facility with the many dialects and accents is nothing short of amazing. At the same time, these shifts are so natural and subtle that they don't "pull the reader from the page" but more fully engage one in the story.
Wonderful books, wonderfully performed.
22 people found this helpful
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
- Aengus L. Jeffers
- 01-23-08
Great reading from Patrick Tull
This is the classic reading by Patrick Tull. Fantastic. A wonderful performance which i've enjoyed listening to several times.
21 people found this helpful