Rating: 
Summary: Darker than the first, but just as riveting
Review: Another well-written O'Brian novel but this time, in a darker hue. More exposition of the Aubrey / Maturin characters and not all of it flattering. O'Brian doesn't shrink from showing warts and all of his main characters and that's what makes these books complex and enduring. It's hard to predict how Aubrey or Maturin are going to act, because O'Brian feeds you just a teaspoon of information about each at a time. Just when you think you've got them figured out, O'Brian throws you a curve, and one that's believable, not contrived. These books are some of the best I've ever read. I howl at the shenanigans of the sailors, get churned up when they're in battle, and shake my head when Jack Aubrey risks his career, chasing the wrong skirt yet again. And I worry about what the hell I'm going to do when I finish the last novel in the series.
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.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful!
Review: I didn't think it was possible, but its even better than Master and Commander
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: An excellent sequel to Master and Commander
Review: I loved this book, although I would have liked a little more action as in the first novel. Iam eager to continue the series.
Rating:
Summary: The most complex Aubrey/Maturin novel...
Review: I made a serious mistake when I first read the Aubrey/Maturin books: I read them out of sequence. Thus, when I first came to "Post Captain" which is the 2nd in the series & sets up many themes in the novels to come, I already knew how dilemmas would be resolved. This contributed to a feeling of irritation the first time I read it, especially as much occurs on land in a Jane Austen-esque style. This time around I am re-reading all 20 books in order, & I find "Post Captain" to have many nuances I overlooked the first time. It is one of the funniest books in the series. There are some scenes (such as Maturin's first arrival on deck of Aubrey's acting command the "Lively") in which O'Brian's dry humor will have you in stitches. Of course this is also the novel in which Maturin contributes his much-quoted explanation for the term "dog-watch". The consequences of Pulling's celebration on being made lieutanant are hysterical; but in the dense plotting of "Post Captain" these moments are leavening to the sense of a lee-shore looming in the distance. If you are currently reading the Aubrey/Maturin novels, you don't need a recommendation to get "Post Captain". Just take my advice & don't read this book out of sequence if possible. If you are thinking of starting this series, do so with "Master & Commander". You'll be happy you did!
Rating:
Summary: Jane Austen and sea-battles
Review: I must begin by confessing my undying love of all things Patrick O'Brianesque. I have read and reread his books, working my way through his canon from beginning to end and taking solitary excursions via audiobooks as the fit takes me. It is nothing for me to turn up at work after listening to a chapter or two, my words all antique, my phraseology rolling like the ocean, and my heart full of good cheer. This second book of "the Aubreyad" is the most like Jane Austen's genteel tales of manners in the England of two centuries past. There are grand houses, elderly admirals, single young naval officers possessed of fortunes, and delightful young ladies. Romance is in the air before the book is fairly begun. And yet there is another side, or rather sides. War and battle and financial problems interfere with the grand pursuit of love. Humour is everpresent, in the language, characters, settings and ships. The incompetent footpad who writes out an incredible recruiting poster. The scene with the bear. The verbal abuse in the middle of a battle of a sweet young lady disguised as a ship's boy. It is also a complex maze of relationships. We do not meet Molly Harte again, but we encounter her cuckolded husband and his hatred of Jack Aubrey. The wonderful Diana Villiers makes her first appearance in these pages, eventually resulting in a severe quarrel between Captain Jack and his "particular friend" Stephen Maturin. Sir Joseph Blaine, the master of British Naval Intelligence and a rare collector of beetles plays a discreet game in the bureaucratic corridors of the Admiralty. And there is action a-plenty at sea. Battles and chases, rigging and running, storms and ships. Just open the book and you will be part of the crew.
Rating: 
Summary: The second book of the Aubrey/Maturin partnership. Pacy,
Review: I read Master and Commander recently - prompted by the Movie - and loved it. This, second, book in the series continues the adventures of Jack Aubrey - a bluff, impetuous Naval commander, and the reserved, cerebral Dr. Maturin.
This book opens with Aubrey anxiously waiting for promotion to post-Captain and courting young ladies, when he is made bankrupt overnight. Various adventures ensue, which the usual derring-do. This book marks the first time that Maturin is explicitly identified as a spy. His work aids Aubrey in securing commands, promotion and therefore an understanding with the young lady of his dreams. Maturin's world view and prospects are more sombre and morose.
The book itself contains a huge amount of naval jargon, mainsails, topsails, etc. etc., curiously however it doesn't lose the narrative for me, despite the facts that I have no idea what the terminology means, the pace of the narrative doesn't lessen, and I am quite happy to ` go with the flow'. Overall a good read.
Rating:
Summary: The second book of the Aubrey/Maturin partnership. Pacy,
Review: I read Master and Commander recently - prompted by the Movie - and loved it. This, second, book in the series continues the adventures of Jack Aubrey - a bluff, impetuous Naval commander, and the reserved, cerebral Dr. Maturin.
This book opens with Aubrey anxiously waiting for promotion to post-Captain and courting young ladies, when he is made bankrupt overnight. Various adventures ensue, which the usual derring-do. This book marks the first time that Maturin is explicitly identified as a spy. His work aids Aubrey in securing commands, promotion and therefore an understanding with the young lady of his dreams. Maturin's world view and prospects are more sombre and morose.
The book itself contains a huge amount of naval jargon, mainsails, topsails, etc. etc., curiously however it doesn't lose the narrative for me, despite the facts that I have no idea what the terminology means, the pace of the narrative doesn't lessen, and I am quite happy to ' go with the flow'. Overall a good read.
Rating:
Summary: Why did I wait to read this?
Review: I read Master and Commander some time ago but resolved to read the series. Once I picked up Post Captain I berated myself for the delay. What a great read. Besides the humor, the mesmerizing plot, and the excellent character development I was captivated by the insight into the British culture two-hundred years ago. Assuming that O'Brian has it right, it is amazing that one arm of the government labors to enforce the law and put Aubrey into prison while the Admiralty sends him out to enrich the King's coffers. Overall a truely great book -- with a great finish!
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