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The Commodore (Aubrey Maturin Series) Audio Cassette – Unabridged, January 1, 2007

by Patrick O'Brian (Author), Simon Vance (Narrator)

4.6 2,265 ratings

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On a strange decoy mission to the disease-ridden lagoons of the Gulf of New Guinea, Captain Aubrey and secret intelligence agent Maturin are ordered to suppress the slave trade, but the French are mounting an invasion that will give the men added problems. Read by Simon Vance. Book available.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Blackstone Pub; Unabridged edition (January 1, 2007)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1433204347
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1433204340
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 11.2 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.5 x 3 x 4.5 inches

Customer Reviews:
4.6 2,265 ratings

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Patrick O'Brian

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In addition to twenty volumes in the highly respected Aubrey/Maturin series, Patrick O'Brian's many books include "Testimonies," "The Golden Ocean," and "The Unknown Shore". O'Brian also wrote acclaimed biographies of Pablo Picasso and Sir Joseph Banks and translated many works from the French, among them the novels and memoirs of Simone de Beauvoir and Jean Lacouture's biographies of Charles de Gaulle. He passed away in January 2000 at the age of 85.

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The Commodore

Reviewed in the United States on May 29, 2014

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I am not going to waste your time by gushing about how wonderful Patrick O'Brian is. I'm willing to bet the vast majority of reviews before and after this one are going to do that for me.

Instead, I'll just mention that this novel works wonderfully well as a standalone work. Exposition, explanation and backstory are handled masterfully (not always the case in this series) and the wealth of scenes, characters and action absorb the reader immediately into a rich, varied, uncertain and, above all, authentic Regency world. Strangely, it is also this randomly chosen novel that had me scrabbling through bookstores to find 'Master and Commander', in order to begin one of the most continuously satisfying literary experiences of my entire life.

For long time fans of the series this, like many of the later instalments, is relatively short, but is nevertheless jam-packed with satisfyingly characteristic moments from some of our favourite denizens of the Aubrey/Maturin universe.

A standout entry in an outstanding series.

Reviewed in the United States on January 10, 2024

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Seemed glad to add it to his collection.

Reviewed in the United States on April 4, 2013

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Patrick O'Brien never fails to thrill in the high sea adventures of Aubrey/Maturin. It is a shame that Hollywood only made one movie off of these books and that being Master and Commander. It could have been a great franchise and money maker with some effort put into it. I find all of O'Briens novels in this series great reading with high adventure.

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Tromba Prima

Captain Aubrey and Dr. Stephen Maturin still have it!

Reviewed in the United States on December 28, 2019

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This is one of the best, if not the best, series of books I have ever read! Patrick O'Brian knew so much about the age of fighting sail in Great Britain, and he brings it to the written page, along with living, breathing characters. I feel as though I am there on the heaving deck fighting a storm as the green water pours over the deck and the crew clutch the ropes to avoid being washed overboard, or a hot frigate action as the guns roar and leap against their ropes and sailors and marines board the enemy ship to capture her. O'Brian is a masterful author; if you have never read him you don't know what you are missing!

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R. Williams

... should be required reading for anyone who loves a great story with compelling characters

Reviewed in the United States on February 21, 2018

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Every Patrick O'Brien novel - especially all of the Aubrey Maturin series - should be required reading for anyone who loves a great story with compelling characters, adventure, suspense and just the slightest touch of romance. Add to that that they are steeped in actual history - based on the logbooks of the RN captains who sailed in the era about which he writes - these are history lessons in the most entertaining form imaginable. Highest recommendation i could possibly give.

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Reader in the Pacific

A Changeling?

Reviewed in the United States on April 21, 2021

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Our 2 heroes return home at last. Needless to say, they should have stayed at sea. Maturin’s daughter seems to have been touched by the fairies and is mute untilPadeen converses with her in Irish!
The action revolves around the Bight of Africa and slavers.
Diana’s words to Stephen on his return and the last in the book are” Stephen, you must never go to sea any more.”

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Michaela Charlotte Sherman

A Great Read!

Reviewed in the United States on August 30, 2013

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Most excellent fictive account of a small mixed squadron late in the wars; the commodore sailing with a flag captain under him. Better than Commodore Hornblower, a similar squadron also with flag captain, though in disparate theaters. Exciting missions, locales, engaging new characters, and, of course, O'Brian's lucid, informed descriptions of action and engagements. Political intrigue and rich private lives of the main players, naturalism, and deeply human personal strife woven into and balancing the material naval aspect. An interesting point the book highlights is the micro-politics and personalities of the commanding officers of the squadron.

Reviewed in the United States on October 23, 2014

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I treasured the look into both Aubrey and Maturin that O'Brian gives us in the beginning of the book. They are well rounded and so artfully portrayed on the pages that I am caused to truly admire O'Brian's ability with a pen. This book has a depth the previous three lacked in the beginning. By far, this is one of the strongest starts of the series. I understand why O'Brian tried to extend the series and that it could only be done with trivial, or better said - inconsequential addendums such as the previous three books but if I had my druthers I would have edited the inconsequential out and finished the series with a complete book that is currently number 21. I have noted the previous four books have been slightly leaning towards the Stephen Maturin story but this one is more an equal Aubrey/Maturin novel. This one is strong through about 2/3 of the book. I rated this story higher than the last few. I recommend it but be prepared for the weaker finish.

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Clemens Schoonderwoert

A Classic Commodore!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 20, 2021

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Read this book in 2009, and its the 17th wonderful volume of the amazing "Aubrey/Maturin" series.

In this tale Aubrey and Maturin will at first return to England, after their exploits in the Great South Sea, with Jack Aubrey a happy man but for Stephen Maturin is a disaster, due to the fact that his daughter is autistic and his wife, Diana, gone.

While most of the tale is played out on land, with castles and sitting rooms in abundance, but when it is necessary to set sail Aubrey and Maturin are ready to go.

At first they are to go on a decoy mission to the Gulf of Guinea to suppress the slave trade, before returning to their ultimate destination, being Ireland.

For it is Ireland that the French have chosen as a place of invasion, and it will be Aubrey's seamanship and Maturin's cunning as a intelligence agent that will do the work for the British.

What is to follow is an astounding tale of seamanship, intelligence, and human emotions that will set this tale on its wonderful course, and all this is brought to us by the author in his own outstanding and authentic fashion.

Highly recommended, for this is another remarkable addition to this tremendous series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Classic Commodore"!

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Russell A. Dunn

Noch einandere Buch von Patrick O'Brian

Reviewed in Germany on January 28, 2013

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Diese Buch ist einandere den Aubrey Maturin Series. Was mehr kann Man sagen?
Und ein andere sieben Worter die arm Amazon System wollt

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Kindle Customer

Absolutely masterful

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 5, 2023

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A brilliant story told by a master of his craft, you can almost hear the wind and the creak of the masts. A wonderful enthralling book which can like all good books be read again and again

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Dave the Rave

A yellow admiral

Reviewed in Canada on December 4, 2019

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A little too much of admiralty ins and outs but the story continues