Patrick O Brian s Navy: The Illustrated Companion to Jack Aubrey s World
£12.90
good book but doesn t feel like it was written for the purpose - This book is good and the illustrations and photos are great but it really seems as if the book was written as a generic guide to the Royal navy and then they added on the Jack Aubrey stuff later on. There is no real understanding of Aubrey and Maturin and the books in the series - it s a bit generic. Pity
Hazard warning! - This is a very useful book to read as background for the Aubrey series, BUT it should come with a warning - if you read it before you finish the series (as indeed you would want to) it will spill the beans on some of the story lines...
Marvelous! Even better than I d hoped! - I really must say I loved this book. It s quite beautiful, with many stunning paintings and illustrations. Plus, it is full of helpful and interesting information the time period of the M & C books. I had primarily been looking for some maps, more detail about the ships and perhaps a more detailed explanation of naval ranks and uniforms, and I found all of this and so very much more. Books like this one add so very much to one s enjoyment of the novels. I heartily recommend it.
The Real Life of Jack Aubrey - Fans of Patrick O Brian will love it and so should anyone who loves the sea, sailing ships and our fascinating maritime history.At first glance this seems like a coffee table book - to be admired, but not necessarily read. Closer examination reveals an impressively well-researched book, packed full of excellent illustrations. There is a wide range of well-reproduced paintings of famous ships and battles. There are maps, sketches, cartoons, engravings, diagrams, portraits and water-colours. Every aspect of a 19th century sailor s life is described clearly, accurately and in an interesting manner.Links to Jack Aubrey are scattered through the book, with a welcome Cast of Characters on 4 pages, as well as a glossary of nautical terms found in the Patrick O Brian books. You might want to buy two of these books - one for your coffee table and one to read and re-read.