- Paperback: 368 pages
- Publisher: HarperCollins (5 May 1998)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0002224062
- ISBN-13: 978-0002224062
- Product Dimensions: 21.6 x 13.8 x 4 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,828,920 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
The Surgeon's Mate: Aubrey/Maturin series, book 7
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More About the Author
Product Description
Review
‘…full of the energy that comes from a writer having struck a vein… Patrick O’Brian is unquestionably the Homer of the Napoleonic wars.’
James Hamilton-Paterson
‘You are in for the treat of your lives. Thank God for Patrick O’Brian: his genius illuminates the literature of the English language, and lightens the lives of those who read him.’
Kevin Myers, Irish Times
‘A swelling tide of intrigue and adventure in the best tradition.’
Guardian
‘The author, master of his period and of the techniques of ships under sail, keeps his story moving with panache and ingenuity.’
John Bright-Holmes, Daily Telegraph
‘This is a splendid excursion into the glorious history of the Royal Navy. It is also highly authentic. There are real characters, believable dialogue, fine descriptive writing, excitement…’
Now Magazine
‘The tang of saltwater voyages and pungent aroma of man-o’-war gunsmoke contrasts with some equally gripping events on land. Another collector’s item for those following the career of this impressive – and very human – naval officer.’
Bolton Evening News
Product Description
Patrick O’Brian’s Aubrey-Maturin tales are widely hailed as the greatest series of historical novels ever written. All eighteen books are to be re-issued in hardback by HarperCollins with stunning new jackets.
Jack Aubrey and Stephen Maturin are ordered home by despatch vessel to bring the news of their latest victory to the government. But Maturin is a marked man for the havoc he has wrought in the French intelligence network in the New World, and the attentions of two privateers soon become menacing.
The chase that follows through the fogs and shallows of the Grand Banks is as thrilling, as tense and as unexpected in its culmination as anything Patrick O’Brian has written. Then, among other things, follows a shipwreck and a particularly sinister internment in the notorious Temple Prison in Paris. Once again, the tigerish and fascinating Diana Villiers redresses the balance in this man’s world of seamanship and war.
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First Sentence
The long harbour of Halifax in Nova Scotia on a long, long summer's day, and two frigates gliding in on the tide of flood under their topsails alone: the first, since she had belonged to the United States navy until a few days before, wore the Stars and Stripes under a white ensign; the second showed no more than her own shabby colours, for she was HMS Shannon, the winner in that short and bloody action with the Chesapeake. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt
The long harbour of Halifax in Nova Scotia on a long, long summer's day, and two frigates gliding in on the tide of flood under their topsails alone: the first, since she had belonged to the United States navy until a few days before, wore the Stars and Stripes under a white ensign; the second showed no more than her own shabby colours, for she was HMS Shannon, the winner in that short and bloody action with the Chesapeake. Read the first page
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
26 of 27 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I have fallen for these novels since a sceptical encounter with master and Commander I have hurtled through about one a week .
This is the best so far . The development of the characters especailly Aubrey and Maturin never stales and the interplay between the recurring characters is never boring.
The eye for detail is amazing and the shipboard writing accurate but not impenetrable.
These are beautifully written and exciting novels .
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
For anyone who has yet to read one of Patrick O'Brian's novels; please do not be put off by the film Master & Commander, if you have seen it.
These books are superb and, in my view, this is the best so far.
The Surgeon's Mate (his 7th in the Aubrey/Maturin series) focuses more on the intelligence activities of Dr Maturin - something sadly not even acknowledged in the film. Dr Maturin usually contrives to get Jack Aubrey ordered to transport him to his various assignments and therefore become somehow involved in them. In this story Jack is quite desperate to flee England (to escape the threatened visitation from an earlier extra-marital liason), only to end up with both men captured by the French.
The build up in tension is brilliant, as we read of the French Intelligence's successes in piecing together the evidence that will eventually see our heroes standing before a firing squad, while our boys plot and execute their escape - a true race against time.
The story is spell-binding - the book difficult to put down - and ends with their eventual aid coming from a most unexpected source.
Patrick O'Brian's mastery of both the English language and history of Naval warfare is unbeatable. His equal touches of comedy, grief and humanity really do put him way out ahead of the competition.
Great stuff - but don't take it on holiday with you. Your family will pine for want of your attention and the in-laws will never speak to you again ... I'll get yours in the post, shall I?
These books are superb and, in my view, this is the best so far.
The Surgeon's Mate (his 7th in the Aubrey/Maturin series) focuses more on the intelligence activities of Dr Maturin - something sadly not even acknowledged in the film. Dr Maturin usually contrives to get Jack Aubrey ordered to transport him to his various assignments and therefore become somehow involved in them. In this story Jack is quite desperate to flee England (to escape the threatened visitation from an earlier extra-marital liason), only to end up with both men captured by the French.
The build up in tension is brilliant, as we read of the French Intelligence's successes in piecing together the evidence that will eventually see our heroes standing before a firing squad, while our boys plot and execute their escape - a true race against time.
The story is spell-binding - the book difficult to put down - and ends with their eventual aid coming from a most unexpected source.
Patrick O'Brian's mastery of both the English language and history of Naval warfare is unbeatable. His equal touches of comedy, grief and humanity really do put him way out ahead of the competition.
Great stuff - but don't take it on holiday with you. Your family will pine for want of your attention and the in-laws will never speak to you again ... I'll get yours in the post, shall I?
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I'm now on my third re-reading of this 20 volume history of characters Captain Aubrey and Dr Maturin. The volumes are best read in sequence by starting at Master & Commander through to Blue at the Mizzen, rather than dipping in and starting part-way through the story. Take a long holiday, a long convalescence...they are twenty page turners.
As well as a good yarn and good history, they are also very amusing: full of jokes you want to share with your partner.
As well as a good yarn and good history, they are also very amusing: full of jokes you want to share with your partner.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
books
The books by Patrick O'Brian are a fascinating read and would recommend them to anyone who likes a good yarn.
Published 6 months ago by Maggieb
Battles and bold action
Lots of adventures and intrigue as Captain Jack Aubrey's ship transports ship's surgeon and spy Stephen Maturin on a sensitive espionage mission. Read more
Published 7 months ago by JoTownhead
Disappointed
Never judge a book by its cover is an excellent saying. The cover and written contents are excellent as O'Brian always is, but the actual paper and cut of the pages are a disgrace... Read more
Published 13 months ago by Aberech
daftoldgit
Great series of swash buckling books must be read in order of publishing.
Hard job to put the book down to do work. Read more
Hard job to put the book down to do work. Read more
Published 19 months ago by daftoldgit
Naval Fiction and Relkated matters
The book arrived on time and in good condition. Just started reading it. As always, very well written by O'Brian. Read more
Published 24 months ago by Lex Thomas
Another great book in the series
I have become quite hooked on this author, since discovering him last year and I was unable to get this book from my local library.
Published on 7 April 2010 by P. J. King
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