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  • Master and Commander

  • Aubrey-Maturin Series, Book 1
  • By: Patrick O'Brian
  • Narrated by: Ric Jerrom
  • Length: 15 hrs and 49 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (393 ratings)

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Master and Commander

By: Patrick O'Brian
Narrated by: Ric Jerrom
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Publisher's Summary

Master and Commander is the first of Patrick O’Brian’s now famous Aubrey-Maturin novels, regarded by many as the greatest series of historical novels ever written. It establishes the friendship between Captain Jack Aubrey RN and Stephen Maturin, who becomes his secretive ship’s surgeon and an intelligence agent. It displays the qualities which have put O’Brian far ahead of any of his competitors: his depiction of the detail of life aboard an early 19th century man-of-war, of weapons, food, conversation and ambience, of the landscape and of the sea. O’Brian’s portrayal of each of these is faultless and the sense of period throughout is acute. His power of characterisation is above all masterly. Ric Jerrom reads this classic sea story from Patrick O’Brien.

©2014 Audible, Inc.; 1970 The Estate of the late Patrick O’Brien CBE

What listeners say about Master and Commander

Average Customer Ratings
Overall
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A masterful job of a marvellous book

I adore these books - such detail and characterisation. The first book in the Aubrey Maturing series discusses how they first met, and the development of their esteem for each other. The language is formal and precise and very well read by the narrator. An absolute pleasure! Huzzah!

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Ahoy where??

Very hard to follow the story, lacked clarity with respects location within the story line. Couldn’t work out if I was in a dining room one moment or in a fire fight on a warship. Highly technical with respects to ships rigging, sale names etc etc.
Avid sail ship connoisseurs may love this book. Not for me.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

The original and the best!!!

The real master is Patrick O'Brian and his ability to transport you back to the early 19th century. Don't know anything about Napoleonic naval warfare? He has you covered!!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent in detail and drama

I enjoyed every aspect of this book, though some of the sailing details were beyond me. I had read the book previously and listening to it confirmed my opinion of its quality.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

The best of the series

Having read all the books in the series three times and this is the second listening I consider that this first book is amongst the best. It is such a pity that no one has written a similar account of the Navy's actions of this period as O'Brian.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Love these PO’b books.

The vivid depth of detail in his characters, history, geography and period life is (for me) unsurpassed.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Escape to the sea

What about Ric Jerrom’s performance did you like?

Ric Jerome's performance is very characterful, each character carefully distinguished in accent, tone and attitude. Brilliant.

Any additional comments?

One of my favorite series - having read the series I was hesitant about listening to it, but it is a great joy.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Story line

Was a good listen had me looking for more by the end of the book

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
  • V
  • 20-07-2016

a must!

I LOVED it ..just as everyone said O'brian is an àmazing author, technical depth and full characters...superb narraror, rich with accents and never falted..he even sings well!.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

fabulous!!

loved the story, Napoleonic Era naval stories are awesome and this one tops it!! Loooooved it!!

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