The Mauritius Command

This book continues the series in fine style, with O'Brian's narrative changing pace to suit the events being described to perfection. His descriptions of ship to ship action in the age of sail are quite simply the best I have read. But in this book he also contrasts this with the dreary monotony of home life for the Royal Navy captain on half pay who longed for the sea.

The scene setting by O'Brian really allows you to imagine what the Mauritius area was like in the time of fighting sail. But he is equally adept at painting a picture of his characters as he is at describing locations, the states of the sea and naval maneuveres. I felt this was especially evident in this novel where Aubrey is joined by three other captains whose relationships and rivalries are brought to the fore and add a great deal of interest to the story.

I enjoyed 'The Mauritius Command' more than any other O'Brian book thus far so my advice is if you liked his others you'll love this so buy it!


A temporary Commodore's pennant for our hero   September 17, 2000
 7 out of 8 found this review helpful

Patrick O'Brian has the skill to take you on a journey which, although based on fictional characters, carries you to an exciting and different age, to a world being forged by men with character and determination. This book is no exception. Anyone who has read the dry factual accounts of this campaign in the Indian Ocean in 1810, will be held captive by Mr O'Brians Jack Aubrey, leading a dull domestic life which many of us who perhaps seek adventure recognise, given a command, a commodores pennant, and in the company of Stephen Maturin travels to The Cape of Good Hope to again deal with the French fleet. His acting rank also sees him managing the contrasting Captains under his command.