In 1803 Napolean smashes the Peace of Amiens, and Captain Jack Abbrey, RN, taking refuge in France from his creditors, is interned. He escapes from France, from debtor's prison, from a possible mutiny, and pursues his quarry straight into the mouth of a French-held harbor. Stephen Maturin's struggles, with himself as much as with a proud and intelligent woman, are woven into Aubrey's straining their friendship at times to the breaking point. Patrick O'Brian's acclaimed Aubrey/Maturin series of historical novels has been described as "a masterpiece" (David Mamet, New York Times), "addictively readable" (Patrick T. Reardon, Chicago Tribune), and "the best historical novels ever written" (Richard Snow, New York Times Book Review), which "should have been on those lists of the greatest novels of the 20th century" (George Will).Set in the Royal Navy during the Napoleonic Wars, O'Brian's twenty-volume series centers on the enduring friendship between naval officer Jack Aubrey and physician (and spy) Stephen Maturin. The Far Side of the World, the tenth book in the series, was adapted into a 2003 film directed by Peter Weir and starring Russell Crowe and Paul Bettany. The film was nominated for ten Oscars, including Best Picture. The books are now available in hardcover, paperback, and e-book format.In addition to the Aubrey/Maturin novels, Patrick O'Brian wrote several books including the novels Testimonies, The Golden Ocean, and The Unknown Shore, as well as biographies of Joseph Banks and Picasso. He translated many works from French into English, among them the novels and memoirs of Simone de Beauvoir, the first volume of Jean Lacouture's biography of Charles de Gaulle, and famed fugitive Henri Cherrière's memoir Papillon. O'Brian died in January 2000. One of the finest seafaring novels of the Napoleonic wars. " As the first sentences of Post Captain roll off actor Robert Hardy's tongue, you know you're somewhere you've never been before: the high seas in the early 19th century. Hardy's rich rendition of Patrick O'Brian's 1972 novel, a follow-up to Master and Commander , starts with series heroes Captain Jack Aubrey and surgeon Stephen Maturin enjoying a brief period of peace. Soon enough, though, the Napoleonic Wars resume, and the seafaring adventures continue. (Running time: 4.5 hours, three cassettes) --Lou Schuler This series follows the careers of Aubrey, a Royal Navy officer, and Maturin, a naval surgeon, during the Napoleonic Wars. POST CAPTAIN covers the ups and downs of both men's lives and careers as they deal with debt, women, promotion and demotion and, finally, a command for Aubrey. British actor Robert Hardy is superb in reading this abridgment. He gives each character consistent and believable accents, bringing out the character of each. He is just as adroit when performing non-British accents and the wonderful narrative sections. Period music is used as a transition between episodes. All in all, this is a fine listening experience. M.T.F. (c) AudioFile, Portland, Maine 3 Cassettes, 4 1/2 hours Read by Robert Hardy Abridged Audio contains the sails of a square-rigged ship illustration. The 2nd installment in O'Brian's Aubrey/Maturin series "The best historical novels ever written..." - The New York Times Book Review "They're funny, they're exciting, they're informative.  There are legions of us who gladly ship out time and time again under Captain Aubrey." - The New Yorker Post Captain is the second novel in Patrick O'Brian's beloved adventure series.  In 1803 Napoleon smashes the Peace of Amiens, and Captain Jack Aubrey, Royal Navy, taking refuge in France from his creditors, is interned.  He escapes from France, from debtors' prison, from a possible mutiny, and pursues his quarry straight into the mouth of a French-held-harbor.  Stephen Maturin's struggles, with himself as much as with a proud and intelligent woman, are woven into Aubrey's, straining their friendship at times to the breaking point. "It has been said that this series is some of the finest historical fiction of our time . . . . Aubrey and Maturin have been described as better than Holmes and Watson, the equal of Quixote and Panza . . . . All this is true. And the marvel is, it hardly says enough." -Los Angeles Times