Honest Book Reviews by Namsu

The Fortune of War

Published: 1979

Genres: Action, Adventure, British & Irish, Family Life, Fiction, Historical, Literary, Literature, Medical, Military, Navel, Saga, Sea, Suspense, Thriller, Travel, War

Check the summary of this book here:

The Fortune of War Summary

The Review:

The Fortune of War is the sixth installment in Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey/Maturin series. This one depicts the interactions between the British and American warships under Bonaparte's reign. While the entire series recounts navy stories — action against other ships, ship component names, sailors' day-to-day lives, and crew language and appropriate conduct — this one is unique due to its American naval history. It was another fantastic addition to an already great series with an excellent narrative delivered by an expert historian and master storyteller.

Never one to disappoint his readers, Patrick O'Brian pits the USS Constitution against British battleships, with Aubrey and Maturin playing bystanders and passengers. As "the fortune(s) of war" would have it, both are apprehended and transported to Boston during the conflict.

Maturin's history comes up to catch him in the form of characters from two previous books "Desolation Island” and "HMS Surprise." In reality, the story spends a lot of time focusing on Maturin's past and the perilous situation he finds himself in as a prisoner with so many dangers.

As I go through Patrick O'Brian's work, I'm seeing that there is always at least one occurrence or event that jumps out in his narrative. It is his fluency with early 19th-century American politics, the war's unpopularity with Massachusetts' Federalists, the social (and political) differences between Democratic-Republicans and Federalists, and the economic (and political) differences between New England and the Piedmont that distinguishes him in "The Fortune of War."

On some words by the main character, I want to say that it astounded me that an Englishman could have such a deep and sophisticated grasp of the nuances of American politics at the time, and articulate them so honestly and simply. Perhaps I shouldn't have been surprised, given Patrick O'Brian's attention to detail in everything naval, but I was.

Once again, Patrick O'Brian's narrative crafting is at its finest. There's a lot of action here, as well as a lot of everything else. I have to say that this is one of the best books in the series, and I only say so because every book I read by him has the same great quality. I know that the others are excellent as well, but for now, I'll say this is the finest so far until I review the next book in the series.

Again, this work will immerse you in the plot by capturing historical attitudes, historical places, historical background, amazing conversation, exceptional descriptive abilities, and absolute immersion.

I admit I'm a latecomer to Patrick O'Brian's works; after reading Sharpe, Hornblower, Bolitho, and others, I finally got around to starting the Aubrey-Maturin series. They have a literary quality and a sense of realism that the above-mentioned works, as delightful as they are, can't match. I like the balance of etiquette and 19th-century life descriptions intermingled with spurts of violence and drama.

In some respects, this novel outperforms the fifth book, Desolation Island, which, despite a great ending, seemed to lose the wind in its sails at moments. The Fortune of War demonstrates that Patrick O'Brian's ideas and narrative are still robust and vivid in this series, which is heartening given the number of volumes left to come.

Final Thoughts:

Without a doubt, the finest naval historical fiction ever written. Every volume was meticulously studied and imbued with a lifetime of passion, experience, and emotion by Patrick O'Brian. The books are not only endlessly readable, but they're also page-turners, with excellent character development and environmental descriptions that immerse you in the story. You'll need a dictionary, thesaurus, and map when you start reading since there's so much detail. Trust me when I say that you should buy them all because you won't be able to put them down once you start reading them, and if you finish one, you'll be compelled to read the next.

As I proceed through this series, I keep thinking to myself that each book is the finest one I've read so far. I believe this will be one of the most difficult to defeat.Patrick O'Brian takes the main cast on a perilous voyage that leads them to Boston, where he builds the series' most compelling plot to date. Patrick O'Brian, as usual, provides us with vivid settings, rich characters, action, and humor to keep us engrossed in the story.

The story's main theme, political intrigue, is entirely surrounded by brief but vivid and frequently brutal conflicts on the open seas, portrayed only as Patrick O'Brian can. I've said it before in previous reviews of this series, and I'm sure I will again, that everything I say about it is true - it's great and nearly obsessive reading once you get started, and I highly recommend it.

Synopsis:

“"A marvelously full-flavored, engrossing book, which towers over its current rivals in the genre like a three-decker over a ship's longboat." —Times Literary Supplement

Captain Jack Aubrey, R. N., arrives in the Dutch East Indies to find himself appointed to the command of the fastest and best-armed frigate in the Navy. He and his friend Stephen Maturin take passage for England in a dispatch vessel. But the War of 1812 breaks out while they are en route. Bloody actions precipitate them both into new and unexpected scenes where Stephen's past activities as a secret agent return on him with a vengeance.”

Useful Search Related Words & Keywords:

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Rating: 95/100

Recommended: 95/100 Yes.

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Desolation Island Review

Desolation Island

Published: 1978

Author: Patrick O'Brian

Book 5 of 21: Aubrey/Maturin Novels

Genres: Action, Adventure, British & Irish, Family Life, Fiction, Historical, Literary, Literature, Medical, Military, Navel, Saga, Sea, Suspense, Thriller, Travel, War

Check the summary of this book here:

Desolation Island Summary

The Review:

Even though “Desolation Island” is the fifth novel in the Aubrey/Maturin series, I believe this is when Patrick O'Brian truly found his form in terms of both stories and characters. Both Jack Aubrey and Stephen Maturin have a wonderfully nuanced depth of character by this point, far more so than nearly any other character I've encountered in hundreds of years of reading novels, and especially so in the case of age-of-sail storylines. This might be due to the fact that they are both flawed. You'll find yourself laughing at certain elements of their characters, seeing great intelligence and humanity in others, and disliking some features of each. To put it another way, they resemble actual humans.

Patrick O'Brian writes to appeal to almost any taste among those willing to learn a little 18th-century language and elegance, but I know that anyone expecting uninterrupted action from these works would be disappointed. Although there is some truth to it, "Desolation Island" fills that need for those who require it, particularly mariners and sea lovers.

In the realm of maritime history, Mr. Patrick O'Brian leaves nothing to chance, and all of his works are packed with the type of marine knowledge and vocabulary that will make any sailor - especially antiquarians - grin, but "Desolation Island" takes things to a new level.

Captain Aubrey controls "the dreadful old Leopard" in this novel, the same HMS Leopard that nearly sparked the American War of 1812 before its time in the Leopard-Chesapeake Affair, but with a different Captain in command.

The events of the novel culminate in a beautifully constructed story of cat and mouse between HMS Leopard and the Waakzamheid, a far more dangerous Dutch 74. I won't tell you how it ends, but the Waakzamheid's pursuit of the Leopard across and beneath the ocean is by far the greatest suspenseful page-turner I've ever read from the Age of Sail.

The focus appears to alter in this work as well; although Aubrey was the dominant character in the earlier volumes, with Maturin progressively becoming more prominent, the tale is much more centered around Maturin in Desolation Island, which is all the better for it.

I'd want to talk about something that is virtually unavoidable in a maritime saga: the fight with the Dutch 74-gun Waakzaamheid was the most exciting sea battle I've ever read about, partly because it was so different from the usual clashes. I'm not going to say much more since I don't want to give anything away to other readers about this hidden treasure. However, it must be noted that, at the time, Patrick O'Brian's writing was on par with literary greats such as William Golding and Graham Greene.

Other events in this superb novel make it one of the most exciting in the Aubrey/Maturin series at this point, although sailors will probably like it even more than the average reader. That is if extreme horror is considered a sort of entertainment. Once again. This was a fantastic read!

Final Thoughts:

Maturin's clever "handling" of American and French spies was a masterstroke; it took longer than the conflicts, but the intensity never dropped throughout the tale.

I usually read five to ten novels at a time to avoid becoming bored or used to one type, but every now and then I come across books that I simply cannot put down, and I read them until I am through, as occurred with Patrick O'Brian's Desolation Island and then the cliffhanger ending of Desolation Island drew me straight to Fortunes of War, the sixth book in the series.

If you are not a naval person, the books may be difficult to read, but the narrative flow is so captivating that you will be compelled to continue, and I am confident that as you proceed, you will get familiar with the terminology. You only need to read the first book in the series and verify the terminology as you go, and by the time you're done, you'll be ready to understand and go through the rest of the series.

I'm not going to go into detail about the plot; instead, I'd recommend these volumes to anybody looking for a fantastic adventure series with excellent writing. Start with the first book in the series Master and Commander and keep going since they grow better as the series progresses.

Synopsis:

“"The relationship [between Aubrey and Maturin]...is about the best thing afloat....For Conradian power of description and sheer excitement there is nothing in naval fiction to beat the stern chase as the outgunned Leopard staggers through mountain waves in icy latitudes to escape the Dutch seventy-four." —Stephen Vaughan, Observer

Commissioned to rescue Governor Bligh of Bounty fame, Captain Jack Aubrey and his friend and surgeon Stephen Maturin sail the Leopard to Australia with a hold full of convicts. Among them is a beautiful and dangerous spy—and a treacherous disease that decimates the crew. With a Dutch man-of-war to windward, the undermanned, outgunned Leopard sails for her life into the freezing waters of the Antarctic, where, in mountain seas, the Dutchman closes.”

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Rating: 95/100

Recommended: 95/100 Yes.

Buy The Kindle Version Here:

https://amzn.to/3DpZaDo

Free With Free Audible Trial:

https://amzn.to/3rxfArj

The Complete Aubrey/Maturin Novels (Hardcover):

https://amzn.to/3xCFZVv

Master and Commander (2003) (PG+):

https://amzn.to/3I7yZos

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The Mauritius Command Review

The Mauritius Command

Published: 1977

Author: Patrick O'Brian

Book 4 of 21: Aubrey/Maturin Novels

Genres: Action, Adventure, British & Irish, Family Life, Fiction, Historical, Literary, Literature, Medical, Military, Navel, Saga, Sea, Suspense, Thriller, Travel, War

Check the summary of this book here:

The Mauritius Command Summary

The Review:

Patrick O'Brian is like a magnificent guide into another time and place in The Mauritius Command, and his writing abilities are fascinating to experience. His ability to depict a former age both perplexes and befuddles the reader because the reader has no way of knowing whether the sophisticated terminologies he deploys in his conversations and descriptions are the result of painstaking study or are masterfully made up out of thin air.

I know enough about battle sailing during the Napoleonic era to know that the maritime descriptions are spot-on, leading me to imagine that the dialogues are as accurate, but this is not the case, and this portion is simply coming from the author's brilliant story-telling intellect and it confuses the reader as I mentioned in the previous paragraph.

As is customary for Patrick O’Brian, he draws heavily on history, and this novel is based on a little-known operation against the French in the Indian Ocean, which provides both action and tension to the storyline. As always, Commodore Aubrey and Dr. Maturin's illustrations of all things navel are a wonderful contribution to the readers’ continuous love for this book series and the sea.

This is one of the most action-packed books in the series. One of the many reasons I read this book series is because I adore the idea of living aboard a sailboat, and having at least one 65-foot catamaran, ideally a trimaran, is one of my life goals. Most individuals started reading these books after seeing the film "Master & Commander."

But after reading the first 200 pages of Master & Commander, many of them realized that the action wasn't quite as close as it would be in the subsequent novels. Captain Aubrey and a fleet face French naval off the coast of Mauritius in this one, which is action-packed. It's thrilling and really creative!

But for Patrick O’Brian, it's all about the language. You'll be referring to literature (or websites) to better grasp the various antique terms and phrases his characters use, whether nautical, medicinal, and zoological or gourmet. Context allows for a basic understanding, but a better comprehension necessitates a deeper study.

The same caution applies to the reader's understanding of sail-powered naval fighting – Patrick O’Brian provides a basic introduction, but further understanding and enjoyment may be gained with a little exploration. After all, the Internet is always there at your disposal!

His writings will not only delight you, but they will also make you think and work a bit. These aren't the books for you if you find this an irritation or an inconvenience – Only inquisitive minds will like and want more of these fantastic novels.

Although the series is set on the sea, you don't need to be a sailor or have a lot of nautical expertise to appreciate it. As I previously stated, this is the fourth book in the Aubrey-Maturin series, but it can be enjoyed on its own or as part of the series. However, I strongly advise reading all of the previous books in the series before reading this one so you can get a sense of what is going on in the lives of all of the characters involved, as well as all of the back stories that may be useful in future reads, including this one.

I'm assuming that the readers have read at least the previous three novels, which is why I'm using certain keywords that may be considered spoilers, so just in case, skip this paragraph... okay, moving on, so Captain Jack Aubrey is a talented sailor who has been given instructions to lead a frigate to the Cape of Good Hope with two other captains under his command, and Stephen Maturin is a medical companion who serves as the ship's doctor/surgeon and is also an intelligence operative.

Whether reading the book or listening to the Audiobook version, the narrative is intriguing and difficult to put down. Rick Jerrom skillfully narrates the Audiobook from beginning to end, perfectly capturing the mood, pacing, and characters.

Final Thoughts:

These novels may appear to be simple naval battle stories, but they are much more, and they immerse the reader in unexpected events around every turn.

He's a fantastic storyteller with a knack for both inside and outside discourse. His stories are full of flawed human beings that you'll grow to love and adore over the course of the series. The concept of books as time machines is embodied perfectly in this series.

If you enjoy one Patrick O'Brian book, you'll want to read the rest of the series. It's atmospheric, humorous, and tragic all at the same time. The discourse is enthralling and feels historically accurate. Every book has social history, naval technology, navigational science, and a rip-roaring excellent tale.

I haven't had such a good time since Ken Follett’s epic "Pillars of the Earth," but while Follett’s sequels failed to live up to the original, O'Brian did, and now I want to reread Captain Sinbad by Graham Diamond, even though these books are unrelated except that they remind me of the sea and sailing.

Synopsis:

“"Jack's assignment: to capture the Indian Ocean islands of Réunion and Mauritius from the French. That campaign forms the narrative thread of this rollicking sea saga. But its substance is more beguiling still." —Elizabeth Peer, Newsweek

Captain Jack Aubrey is ashore on half pay without a command—until Stephen Maturin arrives with secret orders for Aubrey to take a frigate to the Cape of Good Hope under a commodore's pennant, there to mount an expedition against the French-held islands of Mauritius and La Réunion. But the difficulties of carrying out his orders are compounded by two of his own captains—Lord Clonfert, a pleasure-seeking dilettante, and Captain Corbett, whose severity pushes his crew to the verge of mutiny.”

Useful Search Related Words & Keywords:

Rating: 95/100

Recommended: 95/100 Yes.

Buy The Kindle Version Here:

https://amzn.to/3ogbpxU

Free With Free Audible Trial:

https://amzn.to/3EicqLN

The Complete Aubrey/Maturin Novels (Hardcover):

https://amzn.to/3xCFZVv

Master and Commander (2003) (PG+):

https://amzn.to/3I7yZos

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Honest Book Reviews by Namsu

Pages

The Fortune of War Review

The Fortune of War

Author: Patrick O'Brian

Genres: Action, Adventure, British & Irish, Family Life, Fiction, Historical, Literary, Literature, Medical, Military, Navel, Saga, Sea, Suspense, Thriller, Travel, War

Check the summary of this book here:

The Review:

Final Thoughts:

Synopsis:

Useful Search Related Words & Keywords:

Buy The Kindle Version Here:

Free With Free Audible Trial:

The Complete Aubrey/Maturin Novels (Hardcover):

Master and Commander (2003) (PG+):

Desolation Island Review

Desolation Island

Author: Patrick O'Brian

Genres: Action, Adventure, British & Irish, Family Life, Fiction, Historical, Literary, Literature, Medical, Military, Navel, Saga, Sea, Suspense, Thriller, Travel, War

Check the summary of this book here:

The Review:

Final Thoughts:

Synopsis:

Useful Search Related Words & Keywords:

Buy The Kindle Version Here:

Free With Free Audible Trial:

The Complete Aubrey/Maturin Novels (Hardcover):

Master and Commander (2003) (PG+):

The Mauritius Command Review

The Mauritius Command

Author: Patrick O'Brian

Genres: Action, Adventure, British & Irish, Family Life, Fiction, Historical, Literary, Literature, Medical, Military, Navel, Saga, Sea, Suspense, Thriller, Travel, War

Check the summary of this book here:

The Review:

Final Thoughts:

Synopsis:

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