Blog Assignment #4-Sample: We Have Surprise on our Side!

AUBREY-MATURIN SERIES

I have always had a fascination with military history, although oddly I have never desired to participate directly in the armed forces. My interest moves geographically all the time: medieval Samurai, The Wars of the Roses and The French Foreign Legion to name but a few. Yet, my anchor has always been The Napoleonic Wars, and specifically Naval warfare during that period.

I had the pleasure in 1988 of visiting Great Britain, where I spent some of my time in Portsmouth. I greatly enjoyed the tours of the three historical ships stationed there: The Mary Rose (1511), HMS Warrior (1860), and of course, Admiral Nelson's flagship, HMS Victory (1765).

It was with great anticipation that I awaited for the release of Peter Weir's 2003 film, Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World-I am also a fan of Russell Crowe.

Little did I know at the time, that this was part of a series of books written by Patrick O'Brian (1914-2000). I was certainly familiar with C.S. Forester's (1899-1966) Horatio Hornblower series, which was loosely based on the life of Admiral Horatio Nelson, but I had no previous knowledge of this fantastic series of books.

The character of Captain Lucky Jack Aubrey is based on the life of one of the most successful Frigate Captains in British Naval History, Thomas Cochrane (1775-1860). The series covers 20 books, including an unfinished 21st novel. The novels extend

from 1800 to 1815, and follow the exploits of Jack Aubrey and his close friend and medical officer, Stephen Maturin, as they circumnavigate the globe in various vessels in search of glory and the prize.

O'Brian's works are praised not only for their historical accuracy (although some liberties are taken), but for their clear window into early nineteenth century British culture. The Aubrey-Maturin Series is now considered a part of the English literature canon.

I have all 21 novels in pdf format or paperback and a complete set of the unabridged audiobooks. I also possess a companion lexicon entitled, A Sea of Words, by Dean King (2000).