Rating: 
Summary: Buy it, but don't expect much.
Review: Since it is the only companion book available that charts the Aubrey/Maturin novels, it may be worth buying to follow the voyages. I was left wanting so much more - sketches of the ships, uniforms of the officers and the Foremast Jacks. The included summary of the novels is silly! You might save your money and purchase a good World Atlas along with "Seamanship in the Age of Sail" an excellent, if pricey, volume and perhaps the best: "Nelson's Navy" which gives great detail of the ships and the Navy of the time. (The Geoff Hunt prints of the cover paintings show some splendid representation of the ships - some are still available.) The Aubrey/Maturin novels deserve fine companion books, not this seemingly slapped together comic-book. I hope that someone out there is working on a version that will live up to the novels of Patrick O'Brien.
Rating: 
Summary: Its use doubles the pleasure of the Aubrey/Maturin series.
Review: This book enhances the pleasure of reading POB books. The charts and explanations clear up any geographic questions that invariably arise attempting to follow Capt Aubrey around the world. I wish I had this book when I first started reading the series.
Rating: 
Summary: Don't read until you've finished the books
Review: This is a good but not great volume. It's full of useful information, but if you purchase and read it before reading all the books, you'll end up knowing how they all end. The only way to proceed is to read each chapter as you finish each book. I found myself covering some of the maps with my hands so I couldn't see where this or that ship gets sunk or engaged.
Rating:
Summary: Like a "Text Book" but very helpful.
Review: Useing a guide/reference book while reading the great Aubrey/Maturin novels by P. O'Brian is like being back in school except this one is a lot more fun. And like reference books this one is now obsolete due to the release of more Aubrey/Maturin novels. It is still worth the price.
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