Rating: 
Summary: A good adventure on land and sea
Review: This novel is set roughly in the years 1802-1804, and is a sequel to "Master and Commander." With most of the Royal Navy laid up during a temporary peace with France, Aubrey tries setting himself up as a country gentleman. Both Aubrey and Maturin have time to develop romantic interests, but a reversal of fortune leads them into some interesting and unusual (and sometimes humorous) situations as they dodge creditors. A renewal of war with France sends them back to sea as they attempt to restore Aubrey's fortunes. The action is fast paced and holds the reader's interest. Although part of a series, the book can be read as a stand-alone novel. The story is well researched and fits into the historic period. In addition to naval action, it provides an interesting look at some of the social and legal aspects of life in England during the early 19th century.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful!
Review: I didn't think it was possible, but its even better than Master and Commander
Rating:
Summary: 5 Indebted Captains as Aubrey reaches stride
Review: Post Captain is the second in the Aubrey/Maturin series and perhaps the first written with the knowledge that it was part of a series. O'Brian's first novel in the series was published shortly after C.S. Forester's death and the publication of Pope's and Kent's first novels in their series of wooden ships and iron men. O'Brian found a different niche within the genre and one that ultimately led to his recognition as a serious author of historical novels. If one has read Pope or Kent and even Forester, then the reader might have some difficulty getting into O'Brian's novels. If one accepts that O'Brian is a longer read and that the emphasis is more on character and historicity than violent action then one can enjoy this novel thoroughly.I read the first book in the series, Master and Commander, and was disappointed. I enjoyed Post Captain more. Perhaps that was due to knowing what to expect and perhaps it is because Post Captain is better than its predecessor. However, it is not your typical naval action adventure. In fact, the first few chapters sounded a bit like Pride and Prejudice from Mr. Darcy's perspective. The fact is that O'Brian writes well enough to pull it off. Post Captain does pick up when war is declared and Aubrey goes back to sea. One area of conflict that I found strangely missing in Master and Commander was that between Aubrey and Maturin. I had expected that Maturin would be critical of Aubrey taking the ship into actions that caused wounds Maturin would have to treat. There is a serious conflict between the two in Post Captain although it's not over Aubrey's naval actions. Since the series has 18 more novels one knows that the conflict will be resolved. The main problem that Aubrey faces in the novel is not the French navy but his own indebtedness and the inability to obtain a suitable command. Paradoxically, Aubrey is safe from creditors while at sea. The problems that a person faced while in debt in 1800 are explained well and the reader has great empathy with Aubrey. The naval activities in Post Captain seem similar to those in Hornblower and the Hotspur to the point that the climactic action appears to correspond to the same point in history. While O'Brian did not appear to value the Hornblower novels greatly it is obvious that he owes Forester a debt of gratitude for creating the genre. Without Forester it is doubtful that O'Brian would have been able to develop his own unique niche and this excellent novel would not have been published.
Rating: 
Summary: STILL GREAT
Review: NOT QUITE AS GOOD AS FIRST BUT I THINK IT IS STILL CLASSIFIABLE AS GREAT.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding! Even better than Master and Commander.
Review: I loved Master and Commander but I thought that this book was even better. O'brian wisely realized that although the workings of man-of-war during this period are interesting and sea battles are exciting, it is not enough to base a whole novel on, much less a series of novels. So O'brian spends more time developing his characters here than he did in Master and Commander and the result is a more interesting novel that the reader quickly becomes completely engrossed in. I think that Jack is a much more likable character in this book and Stephen is much more interesting and even more comically eccentric. There is a fair amount of romance in this book, but it is handled so well and the book is just so well-written in general that I didn't mind it at all. There are two battle scenes in the second half of this book that will make your heart pound (they are extremely well-written). By the way, the scene with the bear costume is kind of stupid, but it is just one small miss-step in an otherwise fantastic novel. In sum, this is a wonderfully entertaining novel, full of interesting characters, humor and great action scenes. I will be reading H.M.S. Suprise very soon!
Rating:
Summary: Adventure, romance, the sea, and capital comic wit combined!
Review: What absolutely delicious reading this is! Master and Commander was excellent. This is even better. I cannot believe how very, very funny O'Brian can be! There is a little scene in the beginning of this book where he briefly describes Jack's horse, a "sullen gray gelding" who spends most of his time "mourning his lost stones", and the horse's train of thought, something like, "Sits too far forward at a jump, I'll have him off sooner or later... Oh, a mare! A mare!" I just laughed myself to tears. It is rare to find a book that has such a rich blend of various ingredients. O'Brian's insights into the wide variety of human personality (not to mention equine!), his quirky sense of humor, his excellent portrayal of the ways of life in that time, the politics, the navies, the ships, all are tied together, and blend beautifully into this absorbing human drama. I think I'll have to read them all!
Rating:
Summary: A great author and a great series.
Review: If you like historical fiction set in the Napoleonic period, with sailing ships, then this is the book for you. In line with the CS Forester's Hormblower Series.
Rating:
Summary: Finishing the book really was like losing an old friend.
Review: A terrific book in almost every way. There might be a time when the romantic antics of Aubrey and Maturin get in the way of the adventure spirit which is at the heart of this great series but no...the whole thing is handled with enigmatic skill by O'Brian. The final fifty pages are just masterly and the style in which Aubrey anticipates victory by laying out the best silver for dinner with the enemy captains is the very essence of 'cool'.
Rating: 
Summary: I hope the rest of the series is better...
Review: I was amazed by Master and Commander and resolved to read the entire series. But then I got to Post Captain, and it was like having a bad dream of an Aubrey-Maturin book. Crossing the whole country on foot disguised as a performing bear? Was I supposed to take this seriously?
Rating:
Summary: I am an active participant, not a passive observer
Review: Hailed as the nautical literary master of this century by the English press, his books, not least Post Captain, involve the reader in a way seldom done by modern authors. I recently had 4 more books of this series and as fast as I finished one, I started the other...1200 pages in 4 days!!! I have now come to Amazon.com to see if I can get more. Yes - I am addicted. Yes, it is compulsive reading. But then, to be addicted to quality - as these books are - is no shame. Masterfully written by a captain of the English language, especially older english, and conveying a real sense of historical authenticity, they are not simply a good read. They are an inter-active adventure. Superb. Enthralling. Captivating.
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