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The Commodore

Series: Aubrey-Maturin
4.43 goodreads logo

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( 9,451 ratings, 326 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Commodore by Patrick O’Brian is set during the Napoleonic Wars and follows the seasoned seafarer Captain Jack Aubrey and his close friend, Stephen Maturin, as they embark on a new naval mission. The engaging narrative weaves through the intricacies of their lives at sea and their personal challenges, offering a blend of nautical adventure, espionage, and historical detail. As they navigate both the vast ocean and the shifting tides of friendship and morality, readers are drawn into a richly textured maritime world.
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Format: Paperback / softback
$2300
Elsewhere:
$2500
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you are drawn to meticulously crafted maritime adventures with thrilling naval battles intertwined with espionage and intrigue. Fans of richly detailed historical settings and dynamic character development will appreciate the seamless blend of naval prowess and riveting suspense.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

From the author of Master and Commander, Post Captain and HMS Surprise, a sea story featuring Jack Aubrey, who is promoted to the rank of Commodore and given a squadron of ships to command. His mission is to make a dent in the slave trade off the coast of Africa and to intercept a French fleet set for Bantry bay.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey-Maturin tales are widely acknowledged to be the greatest series of historical novels ever written. All eighteen books are being re-issued in hardback by HarperCollins with stunning new jackets to coincide with a new film based on the adventures, and to introduce these modern classics to a new generation.

Jack Aubrey's long service is at last rewarded: he is promoted to the rank of Commodore and given a squadron of ships to command. His mission is twofold: to make a large dent in the slave trade off the coast of Africa and, on his return, to intercept a French fleet set for Bantry Bay with a cargo of weapons for the disaffected among the Irish.

Invention and surprise follow at every turn in this tale of nineteenth-century seamanship, as rich, as compelling, as masterly as any of its predecessors.

Series: Aubrey-Maturin

View all
  • On Sale
    17% off
    Master and Commander
    Master and Commander by Patrick O’Brian is the enthralling first instalment in the acclaimed Aubrey-Maturin series, celebrated as one of the finest collections of historical novels ever penned. The story sets sail in the early 19th century during the Napoleonic Wars and introduces the reader to Captain Jack Aubrey RN and Dr Stephen Maturin, a ship’s surgeon with a covert...
    Paperback
    $1900
    Elsewhere:
    $2500
    In Stock
    Ships Tuesday
  • The Hundred Days
    'If we had only two or three of O'Brian's Aubrey/Maturin series, we would count ourselves lucky; with six or seven the author would be safely among the greats of historical fiction. But this is his nineteenth volume!' WILLIAM WALDEGRAVE, Literary Review Following the extraordinary success of The Yellow Admiral, this latest Aubrey-Maturin novel brings alive the sights and sounds of...
    Paperback
    $2300
    Elsewhere:
    $2500
    In Stock
    Ships Tuesday
  • The Mauritius Command
    In The Mauritius Command by Patrick O'Brian, the enthralling adventures of Captain Jack Aubrey and his close confidante, Stephen Maturin, continue with a mission of unparalleled complexity and danger. When Aubrey finds himself ashore on half-pay and devoid of a command, his spirits are lifted by the arrival of Maturin, who doubles as a covert intelligence agent with pivotal orders....
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  • Treason’s Harbour
    Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey-Maturin tales are widely acknowledged to be the greatest series of historical novels ever written. All eighteen books are being re-issued in hardback by HarperCollins with stunning new jackets to coincide with a new film based on the adventures and to introduce these modern classics to a new generation. Uniquely among authors of naval fiction, Patrick O'Brian allows...
    Paperback
    $2300
    Elsewhere:
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    In Stock
    Ships Tuesday
  • The Yellow Admiral
    Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey-Maturin tales are widely acknowledged to be the greatest series of historical novels ever written. All eighteen books are being re-issued in hardback by HarperCollins with stunning new jackets to coincide with a new film based on the adventures, and to introduce these modern classics to a new generation. The Yellow Admiral—the eighteenth novel in the sequence hailed...
    Paperback
    $2300
    Elsewhere:
    $2500
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Desolation Island
    Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey-Maturin tales are widely acknowledged to be the greatest series of historical novels ever written. All eighteen books are being re-issued in hardback by HarperCollins with stunning new jackets to coincide with a new film based on the adventures and to introduce these modern classics to a new generation. Commissioned to rescue Governor Bligh of Bounty fame, Captain...
    Paperback
    $2300
    Elsewhere:
    $2500
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • The Far Side of the World
    Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey-Maturin tales are widely acknowledged to be the greatest series of historical novels ever written. All eighteen books are being re-issued in hardback by HarperCollins with stunning new jackets to coincide with a new film based on the adventures and to introduce these modern classics to a new generation. It is still the War of 1812. Patrick O'Brian...
    Paperback
    $2300
    Elsewhere:
    $2500
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Clarissa Oakes
    The fifteenth Aubrey-Maturin novel in which Jack finds himself reunited with the Surprise, but dangerously out of touch with his crew. All the elements that have made Patrick O'Brian's astonishing series one of the most highly praised works in contemporary fiction are here in Clarissa Oakes—the narrative grip, the impeccable ear for dialogue, the humour, and the unsurpassed capacity to...
    Paperback
    $2300
    Elsewhere:
    $2500
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • The Commodore
    Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey-Maturin tales are widely acknowledged to be the greatest series of historical novels ever written. All eighteen books are being re-issued in hardback by HarperCollins with stunning new jackets to coincide with a new film based on the adventures, and to introduce these modern classics to a new generation. Jack Aubrey's long service is at last rewarded: he...
    Paperback
    $2300
    Elsewhere:
    $2500
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • The Wine-Dark Sea
    At the opening of a voyage filled with disaster and delight, Jack Aubrey and Stephen Maturin are in pursuit of a privateer sailing under American colours through the Great South Sea. Stephen's objective is to set the revolutionary tinder in South America ablaze to relieve the pressure on the British government, which has blundered into war with the young and...
    Paperback
    $2300
    Elsewhere:
    $2500
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • The Reverse of the Medal
    Returning from South America, Jack Aubrey finds himself led into the half worlds of the London criminal underground in this most unconventional of Patrick O'Brian's lauded naval tales. The Reverse of the Medal continues the thrilling adventures of Aubrey and his loyal companion, Dr Stephen Maturin, as they navigate treacherous waters, both on sea and land, in this gripping instalment...
    Paperback
    $2300
    Elsewhere:
    $2500
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • The Surgeon’s Mate
    Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey-Maturin tales are widely acknowledged to be the greatest series of historical novels ever written. All eighteen books are being re-issued in hardback by HarperCollins with stunning new jackets to coincide with a new film based on the adventures and to introduce these modern classics to a new generation. The Surgeon’s Mate follows Jack Aubrey and Stephen Maturin...
    Paperback
    $2300
    Elsewhere:
    $2500
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The Commodore by Patrick O’Brian is celebrated for its vibrant storytelling and is often compared to classical epics, marking O’Brian as a modern Homer of the Napoleonic wars. Critics praise the author’s illuminated prose and detailed depiction of naval life, with major characters crafted with depth and sympathy. This novel stands out in its genre as a first-rate work, deserving a broad audience and enhancing the literary landscape.

Book Hero reading reviews

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780006499329

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 04 August 1997

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: HarperCollins

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 22.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 240g

Pages: 352

About the Author

Patrick O'Brian, one of our greatest contemporary novelists, is the author of the acclaimed Aubrey--Maturin tales and the biographer of Joseph Banks and Picasso. His first novel, Testimonies, and his Collected Short Stories have recently been republished by HarperCollins. In 1995 he was the first recipient of the Heywood Hill Prize for a lifetime's contribution to literature. In the same year he was awarded the CBE. In 1997 he received an honorary doctorate of letters from Trinity College, Dublin. He died in January 2000 at the age of 85.

Also by Patrick O’Brian

View all
  • On Sale
    17% off
    Master and Commander
    Master and Commander by Patrick O’Brian is the enthralling first instalment in the acclaimed Aubrey-Maturin series, celebrated as one of the finest collections of historical novels ever penned. The story sets sail in the early 19th century during the Napoleonic Wars and introduces the reader to Captain Jack Aubrey RN and Dr Stephen Maturin, a ship’s surgeon with a covert...
    Paperback
    $1900
    Elsewhere:
    $2500
    In Stock
    Ships Tuesday
  • The Hundred Days
    'If we had only two or three of O'Brian's Aubrey/Maturin series, we would count ourselves lucky; with six or seven the author would be safely among the greats of historical fiction. But this is his nineteenth volume!' WILLIAM WALDEGRAVE, Literary Review Following the extraordinary success of The Yellow Admiral, this latest Aubrey-Maturin novel brings alive the sights and sounds of...
    Paperback
    $2300
    Elsewhere:
    $2500
    In Stock
    Ships Tuesday
  • The Mauritius Command
    In The Mauritius Command by Patrick O'Brian, the enthralling adventures of Captain Jack Aubrey and his close confidante, Stephen Maturin, continue with a mission of unparalleled complexity and danger. When Aubrey finds himself ashore on half-pay and devoid of a command, his spirits are lifted by the arrival of Maturin, who doubles as a covert intelligence agent with pivotal orders....
    Paperback
    $2500
    In Stock
    Ships Tuesday
  • Treason’s Harbour
    Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey-Maturin tales are widely acknowledged to be the greatest series of historical novels ever written. All eighteen books are being re-issued in hardback by HarperCollins with stunning new jackets to coincide with a new film based on the adventures and to introduce these modern classics to a new generation. Uniquely among authors of naval fiction, Patrick O'Brian allows...
    Paperback
    $2300
    Elsewhere:
    $2500
    In Stock
    Ships Tuesday
  • The Yellow Admiral
    Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey-Maturin tales are widely acknowledged to be the greatest series of historical novels ever written. All eighteen books are being re-issued in hardback by HarperCollins with stunning new jackets to coincide with a new film based on the adventures, and to introduce these modern classics to a new generation. The Yellow Admiral—the eighteenth novel in the sequence hailed...
    Paperback
    $2300
    Elsewhere:
    $2500
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Desolation Island
    Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey-Maturin tales are widely acknowledged to be the greatest series of historical novels ever written. All eighteen books are being re-issued in hardback by HarperCollins with stunning new jackets to coincide with a new film based on the adventures and to introduce these modern classics to a new generation. Commissioned to rescue Governor Bligh of Bounty fame, Captain...
    Paperback
    $2300
    Elsewhere:
    $2500
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • The Far Side of the World
    Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey-Maturin tales are widely acknowledged to be the greatest series of historical novels ever written. All eighteen books are being re-issued in hardback by HarperCollins with stunning new jackets to coincide with a new film based on the adventures and to introduce these modern classics to a new generation. It is still the War of 1812. Patrick O'Brian...
    Paperback
    $2300
    Elsewhere:
    $2500
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Clarissa Oakes
    The fifteenth Aubrey-Maturin novel in which Jack finds himself reunited with the Surprise, but dangerously out of touch with his crew. All the elements that have made Patrick O'Brian's astonishing series one of the most highly praised works in contemporary fiction are here in Clarissa Oakes—the narrative grip, the impeccable ear for dialogue, the humour, and the unsurpassed capacity to...
    Paperback
    $2300
    Elsewhere:
    $2500
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • The Wine-Dark Sea
    At the opening of a voyage filled with disaster and delight, Jack Aubrey and Stephen Maturin are in pursuit of a privateer sailing under American colours through the Great South Sea. Stephen's objective is to set the revolutionary tinder in South America ablaze to relieve the pressure on the British government, which has blundered into war with the young and...
    Paperback
    $2300
    Elsewhere:
    $2500
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • The Reverse of the Medal
    Returning from South America, Jack Aubrey finds himself led into the half worlds of the London criminal underground in this most unconventional of Patrick O'Brian's lauded naval tales. The Reverse of the Medal continues the thrilling adventures of Aubrey and his loyal companion, Dr Stephen Maturin, as they navigate treacherous waters, both on sea and land, in this gripping instalment...
    Paperback
    $2300
    Elsewhere:
    $2500
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • The Nutmeg of Consolation
    The fourteenth novel in the classic Aubrey-Maturin series finds Aubrey and Maturin shipwrecked, harassed by pirates, and then in the brutal penal colonies of New South Wales. Patrick O'Brian is regarded by many as the greatest living historical novelist writing in English. In The Nutmeg of Consolation, Jack Aubrey and Stephen Maturin begin stranded on an uninhabited island in the...
    Paperback
    $2300
    Elsewhere:
    $2500
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • The Surgeon’s Mate
    Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey-Maturin tales are widely acknowledged to be the greatest series of historical novels ever written. All eighteen books are being re-issued in hardback by HarperCollins with stunning new jackets to coincide with a new film based on the adventures and to introduce these modern classics to a new generation. The Surgeon’s Mate follows Jack Aubrey and Stephen Maturin...
    Paperback
    $2300
    Elsewhere:
    $2500
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks

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