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In lugnet.pirates, Jeff Johnston writes:
> Anyone out there looking for some good, Age-of-Sail-era related reading
> material?
> While I was in the bookstore looking for reading material to take on the
> plane, I
> came across a series of novels by Patrick O'Brian. They deal with the
> life of a
> British naval officer in the early 19th century, during the Napoleonic
> wars - a bit
> out of the pirate era but at the height of the tall ships' glory. The
> first book in the
> series is called _Master and Commander_, and I highly recommend it.
This is probably the best series in this time frame and consists of a
staggering 20 books (Patrick O'Brian, alas, passed away at the start of this
year). The first book is on the overly fussy technical side and can be a
bit of a chore to read. The 3rd through 5th books are outstanding. I'm on
the 13th one at the moment. Others to consider are Dewey Lambdin's Alan
Lewrie series, not as good, but a lot more bawdy. Peter Bolitho series by
Alexander Kent, but the character is a goody-two shoes type. Of course,
Horatio Hornblower.
>
> Also, if any of you get the chance to visit the UK, do try to make it to
> the National
> Maritime Museum in Greenwich. It's a very short train ride from central
> London
> and is well worth it. The _Cutty Sark_, last of the great tea clippers,
> is also on
> display nearby.
I'm embarrased to admit I passed through Boston and didn't even think to
hunt up the U.S.S. Constitution (didn't really have time, but geez, my
favorite ship and it still is there to see).
>
> (We didn't make it down to Portsmouth on this trip (too much to see in
> London
> itself) but for sail buffs it's well worth the trip - the Royal Naval
> Museum and
> Nelson's flagship the _HMS Victory_, as well as the remnants of a ship
> built
> by Henry VIII, the _Mary Rose_.)
>
> J
Ahhhhh, if I ever get to England....
Bruce
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In lugnet.pirates, Bruce Schlickbernd writes:
> This is probably the best series in this time frame and consists of a
> staggering 20 books (Patrick O'Brian, alas, passed away at the start of this
> year). The first book is on the overly fussy technical side and can be a
> bit of a chore to read. The 3rd through 5th books are outstanding. I'm on
> the 13th one at the moment.
Hi Bruce,
Can you tell me if a person who started reading the books by O'brian would
be lost if they did not read them in chronilogical order. They sound really
interesting. Any idea if there is an online bookstore I could purchase
Hardbacks from?
Thanks,
Gerry
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In lugnet.pirates, Gerry Venteicher writes:
> In lugnet.pirates, Bruce Schlickbernd writes:
>
> > This is probably the best series in this time frame and consists of a
> > staggering 20 books (Patrick O'Brian, alas, passed away at the start of this
> > year). The first book is on the overly fussy technical side and can be a
> > bit of a chore to read. The 3rd through 5th books are outstanding. I'm on
> > the 13th one at the moment.
> Hi Bruce,
> Can you tell me if a person who started reading the books by O'brian would
> be lost if they did not read them in chronilogical order. They sound really
> interesting. Any idea if there is an online bookstore I could purchase
> Hardbacks from?
> Thanks,
> Gerry
The two books I'd most likely skip are the first two, but at the same time,
these books set up characters that appear throughout the series, and both
have their good points. I'd stick with chronological order.
www.amazon.com has at least some hardbacks (the whole set is available from
them in hardback). I know the Barnes & Noble in old town Pasadena has them
in hardback, so you might wish to check their website, too. I just get the
trade paperbacks - haven't seen them in standard "pocketbook" format.
Bruce
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"Gerry Venteicher" <MRBEAR569@aol.com> wrote in message
news:G4qzo5.LxM@lugnet.com...
> In lugnet.pirates, Bruce Schlickbernd writes:
>
> > This is probably the best series in this time frame and consists of a
> > staggering 20 books (Patrick O'Brian, alas, passed away at the start of • this
> > year). The first book is on the overly fussy technical side and can be a
> > bit of a chore to read. The 3rd through 5th books are outstanding. I'm • on
> > the 13th one at the moment.
> Hi Bruce,
> Can you tell me if a person who started reading the books by O'brian • would
> be lost if they did not read them in chronilogical order. They sound • really
> interesting. Any idea if there is an online bookstore I could purchase
> Hardbacks from?
> Thanks,
> Gerry
Hi,
Do read them all - start with book one and continue in sequence.
The initial collision of the principals is entertaining in itself.
You'll enjoy the experience all the more going from #1 onward (I guess, as
it's what I've done.)
Certainly the early books weren't overly technical or O'Brian would not have
sold many more.
I suppose I hadn't a clue a lot what the various widgets and winds were most
of the time,
but like children don't fully understand what they read or watch, this
leaves plenty of room for the
imagination, which aids in the escapism.
I'm nearing the end of #19 now and when #20 is done I'll be thoroughly
saddened.
I'll have lost some good friends in Maturin & Aubrey. Some meandering,
lifeless passages on the way,
but absolutely top-class taken altogether.
Enjoy.
Ronan
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In lugnet.pirates, Ronan Webb writes:
> "Gerry Venteicher" <MRBEAR569@aol.com> wrote in message
> news:G4qzo5.LxM@lugnet.com...
> > In lugnet.pirates, Bruce Schlickbernd writes:
> >
> > > This is probably the best series in this time frame and consists of a
> > > staggering 20 books (Patrick O'Brian, alas, passed away at the start of • this
> > > year). The first book is on the overly fussy technical side and can be a
> > > bit of a chore to read. The 3rd through 5th books are outstanding. I'm • on
> > > the 13th one at the moment.
> > Hi Bruce,
> > Can you tell me if a person who started reading the books by O'brian • would
> > be lost if they did not read them in chronilogical order. They sound • really
> > interesting. Any idea if there is an online bookstore I could purchase
> > Hardbacks from?
> > Thanks,
> > Gerry
>
> Hi,
> Do read them all - start with book one and continue in sequence.
> The initial collision of the principals is entertaining in itself.
> You'll enjoy the experience all the more going from #1 onward (I guess, as
> it's what I've done.)
> Certainly the early books weren't overly technical or O'Brian would not have
> sold many more.
Just the first book. The *constant* refrain from people who see me lugging
around an Aubrey/Maturin novel is, "Does it get better after the first one?"
I'd rather warn people that the first can be a little difficult, but calmer
waters are ahead, rather than have them expect a typhoon of technicalia in
every book. And this is coming from someone who spent a considerable amount
of time sailing boats as a teenager - someone who is clueless about such
basics as larboard, abaft, leeward, and stays might find it (as does Dr.
Maturin) a little much to absorb all at once.
In any case, I'd recommend chronological order if only because O'Brian often
starts the next novel exactly at the point the previous one ends.
Bruce
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Bruce Schlickbernd wrote:
> In lugnet.pirates, Ronan Webb writes:
> > Certainly the early books weren't overly technical or O'Brian would not have
> > sold many more.
>
> Just the first book. The *constant* refrain from people who see me lugging
> around an Aubrey/Maturin novel is, "Does it get better after the first one?"
Really? I loved the first one, thought the beginning of the second was rather
slow,
but now that he's on his bizarre double-bowed ship, things are picking up again.
The technical terminology didn't bothe rme at all...but it did cause me to pick
up a
copy of the _Oxford Companion to Ships & the Sea_.
Even without that, though, Maturin is a complete 'lubber and often has to have
nautical things explained to him during the course of the book, so it's possible
to follow the important stuff.
J
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In lugnet.pirates, Jeff Johnston writes:
> Bruce Schlickbernd wrote:
>
> > In lugnet.pirates, Ronan Webb writes:
> > > Certainly the early books weren't overly technical or O'Brian would not have
> > > sold many more.
> >
> > Just the first book. The *constant* refrain from people who see me lugging
> > around an Aubrey/Maturin novel is, "Does it get better after the first one?"
>
> Really? I loved the first one, thought the beginning of the second was rather
> slow,
> but now that he's on his bizarre double-bowed ship, things are picking up again.
I think he learned after the first not to go quite so overboard on pages and
pages of nautical jargon explanation. But then again, once you go through
it, you are better prepared for the succeeding novels. And yes, I have
gotten that comment above at least a half a dozen times.
The second novel is slow at the start, but again, this is developing
characters and situations that are going to last the entire series.
If you are happy with the first two books, you should be delighted with the
next three. Desolation Island is perhaps my favorite so far.
>
> The technical terminology didn't bothe rme at all...but it did cause me to pick
> up a
> copy of the _Oxford Companion to Ships & the Sea_.
Mostly they (the technical lectures) were boring. He gets better about
slipping the stuff into the story smoothly. Personally, I like Stephen
Biesty's Cross-sections Man of War book.
>
> Even without that, though, Maturin is a complete 'lubber and often has to have
> nautical things explained to him during the course of the book, so it's possible
>
> to follow the important stuff.
>
> J
And remains a steadfast clueless lubber (and convenient expository device).
:-)
Bruce
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